“I love the opportunity to support something that I truly enjoy and hope everyone gets a chance to experience.” “Film Streams... has become a major cultural institution for our city.”— Omaha World-Herald

“Thanks for making Omaha more fun!” “I consistently have movie/theater experiences at Film Streams that give me pause to think about the larger world around me and the impact of film as a medium.”

Film Streams At the Ruth Sokolof Theater 2008 Year-End Report Dear Film Streams Friends and Supporters, Our first annual fundraiser, Feature 2008 brought 1,000 people to the Holland Performing Arts Center and raised over $188,000 for the Ruth Sokolof Theater. In late 2008, we sent out a web survey to our Below: Oscar-winning filmmaker and Film Streams members, as well as non-members signed up to Board Member Alexander Payne interviews special receive email updates from Film Streams. While guest Laura Dern. Backstage, Alexander shares a the numerical feedback was outstanding—100% moment with Feature 2008 Event Chairpersons of respondents described their overall satisfaction Betiana and Todd Simon. with our theater as “Excellent” (88%) or “Good” “Both the [Ruth Sokolof Theater] (12%)—the best part for us was reading the dozens and dozens of overwhelmingly positive and its extensive offerings notes that people wrote into the survey. I can’t are the sort of resources tell you how much these comments mean to us, one expects to stumble upon except to say that the thoughts expressed—some happily in second-city American of which you’ll find on this report—are both the metropolises—Seattle, reason we’re here and the inspiration that keeps Dallas, Philadelphia, even us working hard to bring new and innovative film Washington or Chicago.” events to our community. — When Omaha Met Cinema (The New York Times, March 16, 2008) As numbers go, 2008 was a remarkable year. We sold just under 40,000 tickets, with more than 42,000 visitors coming to the Ruth Sokolof Theater to enjoy a wide variety of films, forums, Q&A’s, and special events. We’ve done our best to compile the past year’s highlights here, including some fun stats about our most popular films and a rundown of the numerous community partnerships and education events that blossomed in 2008. Most important for our future, though, are the figures that speak to your continued and increased involvement. To date, Film Streams has 1,737 members, with the average gift rising this year by Alexander Payne and Laura Dern 24% (from $77.12 in 2007 to $95.29 in 2008). We sincerely appreciate all your generous support! Without you, the programming recapped in this report, and the many wonderful events coming in 2009 and beyond, simply wouldn’t be possible. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009,

Rachel Jacobson Director, Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater Alexander Payne with Betiana and Todd Simon First-Run Films This past year brought 48 first-run premieres to the Ruth Sokolof Theater, including a diverse “I want movies that selection of American independents, foreign films, and documentaries. make me think and feel.”

Top 10 Grossing Premieres of 2008 1. Slumdog Millionaire (UK/USA/India) – in only its first two weeks! 2. The Savages (USA) 3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France) 4. Happy-Go-Lucky (UK) 5. Mongol (Germany/Kazakhstan/Russia/Mongolia) 6. Up the Yangtze (Canada/China) 7. Let the Right One In (Sweden) 8. Tell No One (France) 9. Son of Rambow (UK) 10. Man on Wire (USA) Repertory Films From Hitchcock to Herzog and Kurosawa to Kubrick, our 2008 repertory program featured “Where else can you some of the greatest directors in cinema history, along with remarkable eras (European 60s), dynamic cultures (Cinemateca), beloved genres (Movie Musicals, Film Screams!), our see THE UMBRELLAS Feature 2008 special guest (Laura Dern), and a number of revivals and special engagements OF CHERBOUG on (LET’S GET LOST, ANNIE HALL, THE EXILES). In all, 117 films returned to the big screen the big screen?” in Omaha in 2008 as a result of this program.

Top 10 Grossing Classics of 2008

1. Let’s Get Lost 1988 2. It’s A Wonderful Life 1946 3. Dr. Strangelove 1964 4. A Hard Day’s Night 1964 5. North by Northwest 1959 6. 2001: A Space Odyssey 1968 7. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 1920 8. Annie Hall 1977 9. A Time for Burning 1966 10. Rear Window 1954

“My son (19 years old) had not previously seen many of the ‘classic’ films you have shown. He has really enjoyed them, and it is good to see that they are as entertaining for a much younger audience as they were for me when I first saw them as much as fifty years ago.”

*Quotes pulled from Film Streams’ 2008 year-end survey, as well as emails and notes from patrons and supporters. Community Development In 2008, our extraordinary Community Development Committee GONE WITH THE WIND (Lauritzen Gardens & Omaha oversaw many fantastic collaborations (listed below) and Community Playhouse), AMADEUS (Omaha Symphony), developed a streamlined RFP process allowing organizations to FOOD FIGHT (Alegent Health), TWO MILLION MINUTES propose film-related events that will help to further their missions. (Youth Leadership Omaha), a new season of the Met Opera Collaborations planned for 2009 include screenings of ANTWONE Live in HD with Opera Omaha, and our ongoing “Bemis Artists FISHER (with Project Harmony; Antwone Fisher in person), Talk Film” series with the Bemis Center.

Japan Foundation Film Festival (Feb 18 – Mar 10, 2008) Cinemateca series (Aug 29 – Oct 2, 2008) Screenings and discussions presented with Creighton University. Presented with UNO’s Office of Latino & Latin American Studies. The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo (Apr 7, 2008) Screening & discussion presented with the YWCA. Refusenik (Sept 17, 2008) Special screening & discussion presented with the Vote Democracy! Series (Apr 15 – May 6, 2008) Screenings & discussions presented with Jewish Omaha Film Festival & sponsored by The Shirley NET Television & NET Radio. and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation & the Anti-Defamation League. Beaufort (May 1, 2008) Special screening & discussion with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel War Dance (Oct 14, 2008) (Temple Israel), Dr. Naser Alsharif, & the Very Reverend Presented with Computers for Africa. Ernesto Medina (Trinity Episcopal Cathedral). A Time for Burning (Oct 18, 2008) Helvetica (May 14, 2008) Screening & discussion presented with It’s Time Presented with AIGA-Nebraska. Omaha and featuring director Bill Jersey. When the Levees Broke (Jun 28, 2008) Chop Shop (Nov 6, 2008) Presented with the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, Omaha Performing Arts, and featuring the Hot 8 Brass Band. Screening & discussion presented with the MACCH Homeless Youth Task Force. Praying with Lior (Aug 25, 2008) Screening & discussion presented with the National Council of Met Opera Live in HD (ongoing) Jewish Women & Omaha Down Syndrome Parents Network. Presented with Opera Omaha.

“You and your stellar team have provided our students with a remarkable experience. Our sincere thanks for all Education you do to educate our film consumers and creators.” With the generous support of the Qwest Foundation, Film Streams viewed and discussed films ranging from 1960s French New launched our Film History & Criticism Program for High School Wave (THE 400 BLOWS) to classic Hitchcock (PSYCHO, Students in 2008. Hundreds of students from throughout the city REBECCA) to a Spanish expressionist film from the 1970s and beyond have visited the Ruth Sokolof Theater as part of this (SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE). The program focuses on program, including students from Omaha Central, Omaha South, film literacy and critical thinking, with students learning Omaha North, Omaha Northwest, Benson, Westside, Creighton how to interpret films in a cultural context, empathize Prep, Gretna, Millard North, Millard West, Brownell Talbot, with characters in ways beneficial to their own personal Marian, Duchesne, and Bellevue West. Students enthusiastically development, and analyze film as an art form.

“These extra events you are doing are wonderful. I think Film Streams Special Events is a true cultural gem.” In 2008, we hosted a number of special events and guests at the Bemis Center, a screening of THE CABINET OF DR. the Ruth Sokolof Theater, including directors Jennifer Venditti CALIGARI with live score composed and performed by (BILLY THE KID) and Yung Chang (UP THE YANGTZE), Orenda Fink, Todd Fink, & Ben Brodin, and the beginning Mysterious Skin author Scott Heim (co-hosted with the of another popular Met Opera Live in HD season, presented Downtown Omaha Lit Fest), a pair of “Arthouse” talks with with Opera Omaha. Finances Contributed Income Individual Giving & Membership $188,595.00 21.13% Foundation Support $105,000.00 11.76% Corporate Support $27,600.00 3.09% Government Support $34,918.00 3.91% Feature 2008 $188,175.02 21.08%

Total Contributed $544,288.02 60.97% Expense Earned Revenue Rent, Utilities & Operations $234,386.90 26.26% Box Office $251,944.00 28.22% Payroll & Benefits $338,078.13 37.88% Concessions $64,681.33 7.25% Film Rental, Shipping & Booking $146,638.81 16.43% Other (Rentals, Interest, Merch) $31,813.26 3.56% Marketing $58,870.11 6.60% Admin General $51,004.30 5.71% Total Earned Revenue $348,438.59 39.03% Events (Feature 2008) $63,609.84 7.13%

Total Income $892,726.61 Total Expense $892,588.09

Ed & Ilga Rauchut Emily & Craig Moody Anne & Bruce Shackman Rod & Jane Moseman Film Streams Supporters Bill & Laura Shiffermiller Jesus Narvaez Arnold & Anne Weitz Mr. & Mrs. Robert Owen Speedy & Debbi Zweiback Stephanie Patsalis Susan & Jeffrey Aizenberg Many thanks to the following contributors for William & Jeanne Penry Maurice & Sare Aresty Julie & John Petr Phyllis & Harvey Aronson their support of the Ruth Sokolof Theater. David Aulph Marcia & Steve Pitlor Rabbi Aryeh & Elyce Azriel Jeff & Barb Popp Betty Foster & Chuck Powell Gifts & Robert Slovek & Karen O’Dowd Susan J. Thomas Mary & John Mitchell David & Lea Bailis Roger & Jody duRand & Steven Hutchinson Julie Morsman Dr. Paul Mileris & Robin Behlers Rebel Interactive Donations All Makes Office Equipment W. Eric Bunderson Schroeder Foundation Thomas M. Belford Harold & Marilyn Rock First National Bank of Omaha Marcy & Ira Cotton Sandra Morar Rohde Andrew Bernstein Carol & Rick Russell $20,000+ Genereux Investment Joe Sisson & Jennifer Larsen Mike Moylan Ashley Lynn Bonn Jeanne & Patrick Salerno Weitz Family Foundation Management Clark & Emily Lauritzen Allan & Janie Murow Daniel & Esther Brabec Judy Schweikart Nebraska Arts Council Grace/Mayer Harold & Kathleen Logan Ginger & Dennis O’Neal L. M. Ronald & Jan Greg Searson Buckingham The Sherwood Foundation Insurance Agency, Inc. Ann Mactier Audrey & Paul Paulman Aaron & Robin Shaddy Todd & Betiana Simon Christian & Debra Christensen Greg & Jeannie Heckman Gerry Morrow Hank Plugge Scott & Vickie Shurmur Foundation Info USA Ron Proskovec Amy M. Coacher John & Joyce Passarelli Bradley J. Simpson Richard D. Holland J Development Co. Jean Ann Ballinger & Ward Anthony Ravitz & Berna Ravitz Marla & Robert Cohen Suzanne Singer Sokolof Family Foundation Mutual Of Omaha Peters John & Terrie Ringwalt Bob & Debra Culver Insurance Company Councilman Jim & Deb Suttle Kevin Burr & Leslie Sanders Lisa & Bruce Dale Charles & Susan Smith $10,000 – $19,999 Louise Rinn Mary & Tom Bernstein Ronald & Barbara Schaefer Tony & Claudia Deeb Thomas Fay & Joan Squires Security National Bank Of Stuart & Amy Chittenden Rob & Norma Shoemaker Dick & Chris DeWitt Mark & Karen Stacey David & Nancy Jacobson Omaha Holly & Bruce Hoberman Fred & Eve Simon Bernard & Rosemary Duhaime Susan Kirchofer & Mary Kutak Rock LLP UNO/OLLAS Kim Kalkowski & Robert Julie & Don Stavneak Chris Dunlap Stroesser Bluestem Prairie Foundation Alan & Marcia Baer Family Ottemann Cris & Barbara Stone Dr. C. Eberle John Sunderman Aaron Ferer & Sons, Co. Charitible Trust Jerry Banks Betsy Ware Jill & Mike Erman Duane & Monte Thompson Douglas County Visitor Watie & Katie White Jo Bass Julia & Mark Wilson Flatiron Café Improvement Fund Mike & Susan Toohey Lindsey Miller-Lerman Robert & Janice Batt Steve Wolpa Kim Folta The Holland Foundation Thomas & Amy Trenolone Sharee & Murray Newman Mogens & Cindy Bay Robert & Susan Woodford Michael Gallner Omaha Steaks Gail & Irv Veitzer Sally & Gary Kaplan Chris & Sue Behr Peter & Kristae Zandbergen Dr. Elvira Garcia Gail & Michael Yanney Rich & Mo Anderl John & Nancy Bernstein Bruce & Cindy Goldberg John Wagner Harold & Marian Andersen Bob & Kathy Binderup Jill & Joe Goldstein Steve & Jan Weidenhammer $5,000 – $9,999 Brad & Ann Ashford Bill Blizek $250 – $499 Jeff & Danielle Gordman Nathan Weinert Aviture My Boes Anonymous*** John Guzallis David Weisser Sam Walker & Elizabeth Jane & Robert Hailey James & Judy Wigton Emlen Walker Rik & Shannon Bonness Bob & Angie Brickson John & Mary Wilson Larry Hitchcock Edythe Cohn Dr. Frederick Bronski Bob Broom & Mary Clarkson Carrie & Ed May John Wilhelm Shari Hofschire Cox Communications Sherry Brown Michael & Penny Cox Emily S. & Rick L. Scott Jim & Mary Beth Winner Dr. Maurice L. Jay Bob & Maggie Mundy Ronald Cohn Fred & Janet Davis Joyce Abariotes John J. Jelinek Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc. Catherine & Terry Ferguson Henry Davis Jack & Gretchen Brickson Julie Frank & Howard Kaplan Peter Kiewit Foundation Anne C. Foley Alice & Charlie Deffenbaugh Kate & John Cavanaugh In Kind Support Joseph & Jane Kavan Qwest Foundation Carol Gendler Mark & Brenda Ehrhart Bruce & Sharon Clawson 91.5 KIOS FM Connie Keith Walnut Private Daniel & Jennifer Hamann Eliana Eliopoulos-Camacho Cheryl & Ronald Cooper Alley Poyner Macchietto & Carlos Camacho Michael & Barbara Kelly Equity Partners, LLC Hal & Ashlee Koch Hal & Mary Daub Barnhart Press Thomas & Darlynn Fellman Ted & Jamie Friedland Margaret Kirkeby Anne Thorne Weaver Rocky Lewis John Brodston Lozier Corporation Sheldon Gallner Ricky & Mary Fulton Shane & David Kotok Mike & Brenda Whealy Cox Communications Munson Thoroughbreds Katherine Finnegan Linda & David Gardels Janet Farber & Mike Krainak (Dr. Tim I. Munson) & David Gilinsky Girls Incorporated Of Omaha Babs & Howard Krantz Rob Gilmer $1,000 – $4,999 Bill & Linda Orr Leonard & Shirley Goldstein Ann & Donald Goldstein Paul & Susie Landow International Minute Press Anonymous Kirsten & Kevin Penrod Nelson & Linda Gordman Mary Helms Patrick Lavelle Kiser Design Construct George & Peggy Payne Tom & Patti Peterson Terry & Judy Haney Cookie & Jerry Hoberman Philip J. & Cynthia K. Lee Kutak Rock, LLP Borsheim’s Jewelry Co. Inc. The Phillip & Terri Schrager Stacy Heatherly Lori Hoesing John & Sandy Lehr La Charlotte Soralee & Jerry Cohn Foundation Jane Huerter Weekly Joseph & Erin Ingrisano Jay & Bobette Lerner Joey Lynch Jeff & Marilyn Elliott Bruce & Stacy Simon Richard & Joanie Jacobson Mike Widman & Carissa Lebron Stanford & Judith Lessmann Magnolia Hotels David & Kris Karnes Marvin & Judy Liszt Jill & Terry Petersen Donald & Beth Van de Water Mary Mahoney Omaha City Weekly Charles & Laurie Kay Mark A. Maser Bill & Kathy Lydiatt Rose Blumkin Foudation Inc. Blair & Suzanne Vogel Omaha Mail Inc. Joel & Nancy Schlessinger Kurt Andersen & Anne Kreamer Linda Matson Andersen Lynn Harland & Harmon Maher Oxide Design Co. Paul & Annette Smith Kami Kuhlman John Detisch Dennis & Marilyn Mailliard Ann & Ken Stinson $500 – $999 Patty & Dave Kunsemiller & Hillary Nather-Detisch Tom Marfisi Paparazzi by Appointment John & Dianne Scott Ron Widman & Julie Crowell Kallie Larsen Patty & Steve Nogg Pat Fornes & Doug Marshall The Reader Jerre Tritsch & Kimberly in honor of Todd Lund Ross Constructors Amy Nachman & Alan Potash Dr. Michael & Anne McGuire 89.7 The River Dunovan & Betiana Simon Amy Haddad & Steve Martin Linda Rafael Susan McMannama WOWT/620 Board of Directors Staff Scott Anderson Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Director New in 2009 Andy Holland Casey Logan, Communications Coord. David Jacobson, Chairman Laura Schoenrock, Office Manager Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Director Hallie Sharkey, Membership Associate Student Night: Mark Javitch Andrew Bouska, Associate Manager The first Monday of every month is now FREE to all Alexander Payne Amanda Fehlner, Shift Manager Steven W. Seline Cooper Moon, Shift Manager full-time students with school ID! Made possible Betiana Simon Craig D. through a grant from the Peter Kiewit Foundation. Paul G. Smith Aaron Haug Katie Weitz White Joe Knapp Thursday Matinees: Advisory Board Chris Viner Jim Foyt, Projectionist Now playing early afternoon showtimes every Kurt Andersen Jeff Jenkins, Projectionist Thursday, by popular demand! Myriel Boes Connie White, Balcony Bookins Jason Kulbel Danny Lee Ladely Community Development Feature 2009: Robb Nansel Committee Joel Schlessinger Jonathan Benjamin Alvarado Watch for updates about this year’s program and Michael B. Yanney Daphne Aronson special guest! Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein Rabbi Aryeh Azriel Education Committee Jim Esch Ben Gray Steven Brock David Jacobson Bev Fellman Patrick McNamara Robert Patterson Kristin Williams Julie Rowse Timothy Schaffert Finance Committee Nancy Schlessinger John Carpenter Betiana Simon Tina Hubbell William Steinke Mark Javitch Lindsay Trapnell Art McGill David Weisser Ted Warin Katie Weitz White, Chair Design Partner Oxide Design Co. FILM STREAMS DESIGN PARTNER