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University Archives & Special Collections, University of Saskatchewan Film Society Records. – MG 121. C.3. (Patrick Hayes)

Film Society

The society logo, a candle illuminated projector, was designed by Nik Semenoff of the Department of Art.

This image is an example of the University of Saskatchewan Film Society’s fall series film synopsis.

The society logo, a candle illuminated projector, was designed by Nik Semenoff of the Department of Art.

On Oct. 31, 1960, the U of S Graduate Student Society wrote to the Canadian Film Institute seeking advice on establishing a film society. The initiative was successful, and in February 1963 the U of S Film Society was born.  Membership was open to all and included several members of faculty who served on the executive.

During the 1960s and 1970s the film series were well-attended with crowds averaging 200 to 300 members.

Films were shown at various locations including the Upper MUB, the Cinema Twins, the Public Library and the Roxy and Paramount theatres.

By the mid-1980s membership had sharply declined. The number of video stores in Saskatoon exploded while the price of video machines became affordable to most families.

The Society also found itself in direct competition with the Public Library, which lent videotapes for free.

The final showing came on the evening of April 12, 1986, at the Public Library Auditorium. The film was Yojimbo, the 1961 Samurai comedy directed by Akira Kurosawa.  Attendance was exactly 30.  

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