20. JUNE 2008
TITLE ARTICLE IN SMALLFORMAT MAGAZINE!
Smallformat Magazine, the essential magazine for 16mm and Super 8mm filmmakers and film enthusiasts has published an extensive article on The Secret Adventures of the Projectionist (2008) featuring an in depth interview with director Max Sacker and DoP Dustin Wallrap. Click the images to the left and right to download a PDF of the article in English or in German. For more information please visit the homepage of SMALLFORMAT MAGAZINE. 02. MAY 2008
MAX SACKER MEETS PRODUCERS DEEPAK NAYAR AND SANDY GRUSHOW OF FILMAKA.COM IN LOS ANGELES
Upon qualifying as one of the final seven contestants out of a total of over 1,500 submissions, Max Sacker was flown to Los Angeles to meet Filmaka Co-Founder and Independent Producer DEEPAK NAYAR (Million Dollar Hotel, Bride & Prejudice, Bend it Like Beckham) and Filmaka President and former Fox Entertainment Group Chairman SANDY GRUSHOW (The X-Files, The Simpsons, American Idol) to discuss future collaboration. A video documentation of this event can be seen at FILMAKA.COM by clicking HERE.
28. APRIL 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” WINS “RUNNER UP” AT FILMAKA.COM
The Secret Adventures of the Projectionist (2008) has won the “Runner Up” prize at Filmaka.com. Drawing acclaim from filmmakers John Madden, Wim Wenders, Werner Herzog, Neil Labute, Paul Schrader and producers Deepak Nayar and Sandy Grushow. 
“"An expert weaving of movie references, constructed with Pirandellian glee, done with great professionalism and flair. Visually sophisticated and playful, with great use of colour and texture, spinning the viewer into a kaleidoscope of responses. Performed with a nice sense of allusion. Very impressive."
-John Madden
Director
(Shakespeare in Love
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin)
The Secret Adventures of the Projectionist tells the story of a cinema projectionist (NIKOLAI KINSKI) who becomes entangled in a dangerous liaison with a silver screen femme fatale (SENTA DOROTHEA KIRSCHNER).
The Film was shot for very little money on 16mm film using vintage film cameras acquired on eBay from the former Soviet Union and with the support of Filmaka.com, German Films, Ag. Kurzfilm, Andec Filmtechnik, Cinepostproduction Geyer Werke Berlin, Arri Rental Berlin, Kodak GmbH, Studio Babelsberg, Münchner Filmwerkstatt, Screenshot Ag, Artspace New York and the contents of Max Sacker’s savings account.
Because feature film competition submissions at Filmaka.com 
are given a strict deadline, the film was written, cast, financed, filmed, developed, telecined and edited within a month. The production was shot in four consecutive shooting days in various locations throughout Berlin including a derelict power plant, an abandoned beer brewery, an old cinema and the "Berliner Strasse" backlot of Studio Babelsberg.
are given a strict deadline, the film was written, cast, financed, filmed, developed, telecined and edited within a month. The production was shot in four consecutive shooting days in various locations throughout Berlin including a derelict power plant, an abandoned beer brewery, an old cinema and the "Berliner Strasse" backlot of Studio Babelsberg. “Our tactic in this competition was to set the bar so ridiculously high that we would have to push ourselves to the absolute limit. In pulling off a production of this calibre within a month, we wanted to make a statement to the producers at Filmaka.com- If we can do this within a month on a non-existent budget, imagine what we can do in a year!”
The film material used was gathered from “short ends” and left over scraps of film from the BBC, Kodak and Münchner Filmwerkstatt. The entire team worked pro bono and consisted of an eclectic mix of different nationalities including Dutch, German, American, Italian, Australian, Russian and Brazilian team members who worked tirelessly and under intense time pressure to make the film come to life.
An unusual aspect of the post-production is that parts of the film were developed by hand in a bathtub using a Soviet "Lomo” developing tank. Producers Max Sacker and HELEEN GERRITSEN employed unusual, cost effective strategies in order to save money on the typically expensive film services that usually drive celluloid film production into four figure numbers, allowing them to spend their budget on others aspects of production value, such as elaborate set construction, classical car rental and lighting equipment.
The visual effects were created by Emmy Award winning visual effects supervisor INGO PUTZE and PETER WOLF, using a combination of real world and digital techniques.
The musical score was composed and recorded by American cellist Zoe Keating of Tetrishead. Using her laptop, software by Apple Computer and her cello, she mixed and recorded over 50 layers of cello strings while escaping from a hurricane which threatened the redwood forest in which she lives in San Francisco, California.
The final sound mixdown was done by audio engineer Dmitri Petrovski while working after hours at a Berlin based Russian radio station. It was submitted to Filmaka.com on February 26th, 2008.
14 JANUARY 2010
“PROJECTIONIST” SCREENING AT CAFÉ TRAUMA!
On the 20th of January at 20:00, “THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJETIONIST” will be screened together with other winners of the “PRÄDIKAT BESONDERS WERTVOLL” award at the “CAFÉ TRAUMA IM G-WERK” cultural centre in MARBURG. Guests of this event will be treated to exotic finger foods during the screening. Admission price is 8 euros. For more information, please click here.
“Kein Bock mehr auf Filme aus Hollywood oder Musik aus den Charts? Mal was anderes ausprobieren? Vielleicht mal ein Konzert, eine Filmreihe, eine Fete oder sonstwas veranstalten? Womöglich noch mit netten Leuten zusammen? Im Café Trauma ist’s möglich. Hier können Infrastruktur und (Frei-)Räume genutzt werden, ohne in das enge Konzept eines kommerziellen Kulturveranstalters eingeschnürt zu werden. Und das zudem in einer Atmosphäre, die frei sein soll von sexistischen, rassistischen oder sonstigen üblen Anmachen.”
12 DECEMBER 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” SCREENING AT “mitKULTUR” PREMIERE!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJETIONIST” will screen at 22:00 alongside musical performances by Toni Kater, a poetry reading by Berndte Bertram and an exhibition by Lina Derenz as part of the official premiere of “mitKultur” “Panda - nicht nur Russisches Theater” in Berlin’s Kulturbrauerei.
01 NOVEMBER 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” MATINEE SCREENINGS IN WASHINGTON!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” is playing at the MAGIC LANTERN THEATER in SPOKANE, WASHINGTON as part of the FLICKER SPOKANE FILM FESTIVAL on November 1st at 2PM and again at 5PM. Admission price is $5. Please click HERE for further information.
22 OCTOBER 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” REVIEWED AT SHORTOFTHEWEEK.COM
The online short film review editorial SHORTOFTHEWEEK.COM has reviewed. “THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJETIONIST.” The Seattle based publication stands by the following mission statement:
“Truth be told, there are really a great number of amazing short films available for free viewing online. The biggest obstacle facing viewers is finding those few gems amongst the enormous heap of garbage they're buried in. Short of the Week sifts through all that garbage and pulls out only those that are worth a viewer's precious time. The goal of this site is to bring festival-quality short films to a broader, non-festival-going audience.”
“The concept of The Secret Adventures of the Projectionist, is solid, but the charm is in its execution. The particular looks of the films being homaged—Lang’s Metropolis, technicolor sword and sandal epics, and gritty, high contrast, film noir—are meticulously recreated, as are some of the almost-forgotten special effect techniques of those periods. Max Sacker does not simply want to mime these filmic precedents for the sake of story, it is apparent that he has a deep reverence for them and the craft in which they were created.”
01 AUGUST 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” QUALIFIED FOR “DEUTSCHER KURZFILMPREIS!”
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has qualified for nomination for the German Short Film Prize and will be reviewed by a jury including the FEDERAL MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND MEDIA.
30 JULY 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” OFFICIALLY SELECTED FOR TINKLAI FESTIVAL!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has been officially selected to screen at the TINKLAI INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL in Lithuania.
“The visitors are going to see 120 short films, including a great number of Oscar, César, Cannes, Berlin, Oberhausen, Rotterdam and other eminent festivals’ winners (all the short films have won a total of 1000 awards in various film events).” In the nine years of existence, the festival has screened over 1200 films and provided an opportunity for more than 100,000 viewers to meet and interact with directors, producers and film critics from 20 countries. In 2003 the festival entered the European Open Air Screenings Association and in 2005 became a member of the European Coordination of Film Festivals.”
13 MAY 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” OFFICIALLY SELECTED FOR “GLOBIANS FILM FESTIVAL!”
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has been selected for festival programming at the 5th Annual GLOBIANS WORD & CULTURE FILM FESTIVAL and will be screened at the KINO TONI cinema facilities at Antonplatz in Berlin-Weissensee.
“KINO TONI is one of Berlin's preeminent art-house facilities with a wonderful spectrum of special screening events, lectures, discussions and special stage projects. Opened in 1920 KINO TONI is one of the last remaining medium-size film palaces in Berlin. Hence KINO TONI has a long tradition since the silent era of movies while it was always under operation how dreadful the times for Berlin had sometimes been in history. It is currently owned and run by Academy Award winning film director Michael Verhoeven and his spouse, actress Senta Berger.”
-Joachim Polzer
Festival Director
27 FEBRUARY 2009
FULL QUALITY 35MM SCREENING AT THE KINO ARSENAL!
On the 29th of MARCH, “THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” will be projected in 35mm at the KINO ARSENAL alongside MUSTAFA DOK’S THE VILLAGE, ISMAIL SAHIN’S HAKIM, and other short films. The copy of the film that will be projected is one of two copies in the world, hand made by MAX SACKER and BENN BERBANCK GREEN.
01 FEBRUARY 2009
FBW DECLARES “PROJECTIONIST” “SHORT FILM OF THE MONTH!”
In addition to awarding the film with their highest certificate of honour, (PRÄDIKAT BESONDERS WERTVOLL) the FILMBEWERTUNGSTELLE WIESBADEN (Germany’s national film rating organization) has named “THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” “SHORT FILM OF THE MONTH” for NOVEMBER 2008.
06 JANUARY 2009
“PROJECTIONIST” OFFICIALLY SELECTED FOR NUERNBERG FILM FESTIVAL!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has been officially selected for competition at the 14. FILMFESTIVAL TUERKEI/DEUTSCHLAND in Nurnberg. For more information, please click HERE.
03. DECEMBER 2008
FBW AWARDS “PROJECTIONIST” THE CERTIFICATE OF “EXTREMELY VALUABLE!”
In a vote of 4:1, the FILMBEWERTUNGSTELLE WIESBADEN, Germany’s oldest film rating organization has awarded “THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJETIONIST” with its highest certificate: the “PRÄDIKAT BESONDERS WERTVOLL!” The Jury’s praise was so eloquently written that it is difficult to translate into english:
“A real cinematic adventure: a tightrope walk par excellence when one considers the circumstances surrounding the production: A Budget of roughly 8000 euros, four shooting days, film-material gathered from short ends and left overs, hand processing in the bathtub etc.
Ultimately the fortunate product of a personal obsession with film. An obsession expressed through a creative idea and realized within the subject of the film: A cinema projectionist enticed by the aura and the myth of the cinema (played by Nikolai Kinski, himself the product of a myth).
A must see, this film is a suggestive parable of seduction. It is also an amusing homage to the great chapters of cinema history: from electrifying references to “Metropolis,” to sword & scandal epic to America’s Film Noir with an anti-Nazi touch.
Well rounded aesthetic and extremely atmospheric fragments combine to create an experimental mise en scene. However “The Secret Adventures of the Projectionist” is not designed solely for cinema buffs or insiders, but can be enjoyed as the unique jewel that it is by all audiences.” - Fred Gehler, Bettina Buchler
23. NOVEMBER 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” WINS FIRST PLACE AT THE 2008 INTERNATIONAL NOMOS SMALLFORMAT AWARDS!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has has won first place in the category of 16MM FILM at the 5th INTERNATIONAL NOMOS SMALLFORMAT AWARDS. The award was presented by JÜRGEN LOSSAU, Editor in Chief of SMALLFORMAT MAGAZINE. Speaking on behalf of the Jury:
“With great precision and playfulness, THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST tells its own little story by citing references to classical film genres. In doing so, the film develops a unique dynamic, unparalleled in other homage films. The story is told through wonderful cinematography with meticulously crafted scenes of great production value.
The jury would also like to voice it’s praise for Max Sacker’s second submission “EXEUNT,” which allows the viewer to gain an insight into this director’s versatility, also to a high standard.” - Jürgen Lossau, DGPh
09. NOVEMBER 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” WINS “BEST NORDIC SHORT” IN FINLAND!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has been awarded “Best Nordic Short” at the POLAR FILM FESTIVAL in Turku, Finland. From the FESTIVAL WEBSITE:
“The best of Scandinavian and European cinema mixed with cutting-edge American independent and international film... Sponsored by three Scandinavian Film Councils and the EU Media Fund, the festival plays in a major Scandinavian city every year. The Polar Film Festival is the premier film event in the Nordic countries.”
03. NOVEMBER 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” NOMINATED FOR NOMOS AWARD!
“THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST” has been selected from a pool of 100 films shot on 8mm or 16mm celluloid film from the USA, CANADA, ENGLAND, SPAIN, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA and GERMANY to compete for the 5TH INTERNATIONAL NOMOS SCHMALFILMPREIS 2008. The awards will be presented to the filmmakers on 22.11.2008 at 19:30 at the B-MOVIE CINEMA in the infamous ST. PAULI district of HAMBURG.
09. OCTOBER 2008
INTERFILM SELECTS “PROJECTIONIST” TO COMPETE FOR “EJECT” AUDIENCE AWARD!
Out of 4000 international submissions, THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST has been officially selected to compete for the “EJECT AUDIENCE AWARD” at the 24TH INTERNATIONAL INTERFILM SHORT FILM FESTIVAL. INTERFILM is Berlin’s second biggest film festival after the BERLINALE, taking place between the 4th and 9th of NOVEMBER, 2008. PROJECTIONIST will screen in the main theatre at the historical VOLKSBÜHNE THEATRE at 23:00 on NOVEMBER 7TH. For more information on INTERFILM, please click HERE.
12. SEPTEMBER 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” OFFICIALLY SELECTED FOR THE 4th ANNUAL EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL!
THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST has been selected for competition at the 4th annual EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL. The film will be screened in PARIS between OCTOBER 6 -11, LONDON between OCT. 13-18, BERLIN between OCT. 20-25 and on various dates in the following cities: STOCKHOLM, BRUSSELS, BIRMINGHAM, CARDIFF, READING, KRAKOW, GRAZ, BORDEAUX, BUDAPEST, BRISTOL, CORK, PALERMO, DRESDEN, GÅLVE, EINHOVEN, MALAGA, and AALBORG. To find out where the EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL is playing near you, please click HERE.
09. SEPTEMBER 2008
FFF BAYERN AND GOETHE-INSTITUT LOS ANGELES SCREEN “PROJECTIONIST” ALONGSIDE MAJOR GERMAN FEATURE FILMS!
THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST has received the honour of screening alongside 12 world class Bavarian feature films (including ULI EDEL and BERND EICHINGER’S BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX and CAROLINE LINK’S A YEAR AGO IN WINTER) at the GOETHE-INSTITUT LOS ANGELES as part of the GERMAN CURRENTS: FOCUS FILM BAVARIA programme. The programme, which includes a student seminar at UCLA as well as screenings from the FILMTAGE HOF is spearheaded by the FILMFERNSEHFONDS BAYERN GmbH and is supported by the distribution companies BAVARIA INTERNATIONAL, TELEPOOL, BETA CINEMA and STRANDFILM as well as ARRI, BAYERISCHER RUNDFUNK, FFS-STUDIOS and GERMAN FILMS.
05. SEPTEMBER 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” SEPTEMBER SCREENINGS AT THE LICHTBLICK!
The LICHTBLICK KINO, one of Berlin’s trendiest independent cinemas, will continue screening THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST throughout September as part of their KLAUS KINSKI PROGRAMME. PROJECTIONIST will pre-screen AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD on SATURDAY 27.09.2008 and SUNDAY 28.09.2008 at 22:00 respectively. Click HERE for more information.
28. AUGUST 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” AWARDED “BEST OF FEST!”
If you missed the RIIFF Premiere on August 7th, THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST will have an encore screening among eight other films selected as the "BEST OF THE FEST" on Thursday, August 28th at the COURTHOUSE CENTER OF THE ARTS in West Kingston, Rhode Island. For more information please click HERE.
10. AUGUST 2008
“PROJECTIONIST" WINS FIRST PLACE AWARD IN THE FANTASY CATEGORY AT THE 2008 RHODE ISLAND INT'L FILM FESTIVAL!
Max Sacker was awarded the VORTEX FANTASY AWARD for 1st place in the category of fantasy film by George T. Marshal, Festival director of the RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL at the 12th ANNUAL RIIFF AWARDS CEREMONY in the historic PROVIDENCE BILTMORE HOTEL. For more information please click HERE.
07. AUGUST 2008
“PROJECTIONIST” U.S. PREMIERE AT RIIFF 2008!
THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF THE PROJECTIONIST (2008) will premiere in the United States at the RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (RIFF) 2008 at 7:15 PM at the COLUMBUS THEATRE CINEMATHEQUE: one of New England’s most beautiful colonial theatres.
