Film Studies watches and waits

For the past three months, the fate of the former Sundance Cinemas project has remained hanging in the balance, and with it, the future of Penn's Film Studies program. Even with news that the University is narrowing in on a new potential partner for the deal, it remains unclear what will happen to Film Studies, which was supposed to benefit from some of Sundance's facilities. General Cinemas, the main financial partner in the former Sundance project, declared bankruptcy in October, and announced it would abandon the 40th Street venture a month later. Sundance Cinemas, headed by movie mogul Robert Redford, soon followed, leaving Penn with a vacant construction site. In addition to multiple screens, the center was supposed to contain classrooms, meeting rooms and a film library -- all of which would have contributed to the Film Studies program. Many students are frustrated that the Film Studies program -- which currently only offers a minor -- remains without a central hub or the resources necessary to create a major. And though University officials say they may have found a new potential backer, no timetable has yet been set for construction, and the program will have to move forward without the benefits of an independent film theater on campus. "It's a disappointment to Film Studies that the Sundance thing fell through," Acting Director of Film Studies James English said. "We still are certainly hoping that Penn manages to put together a deal." College sophomore Ryan Ly transferred to Penn with the hope that the new theater would turn Film Studies into a major department at the University. "One of the attractions for me for coming here was the Sundance film center," Ly said. "Sundance offered a way for young talent to find their way into the industry." Ly said that the resources allotted to the program are not indicative of student interest. "It's pretty difficult to enroll in film courses here," he said. "I know that there are a lot of students who want to get serious about it." But some students are confident that the new program -- created two years ago -- will grow with or without Sundance. College senior Marc Brunswick said once the red tape is gone, the program will develop by itself. "The University is really making an effort," said Brunswick, who is co-chairman of the Film Studies Undergraduate Advisory Board. "What's more important than having a theater here is having undergraduate students who are showing an interest in the minor. Although he said the theater would have brought much-needed attention to film studies, Brunswick is confident they can create a major without Sundance. "It would have helped, but a major certainly is not dependent on that theater," he said. "It's right now a matter of building up the Film Studies program." English said that despite the setback, the program is taking steps to expand. "We're trying to bring in two senior faculty members -- major film scholars, who will lead the program forward," he said. "We're already seeing more faculty around [the School of Arts and Sciences] who are beginning to teach film courses." English added that one of the new faculty hires will most likely become the chair of the program. SAS Associate Dean Rebecca Bushnell said the addition of scholars in the field would increase the likelihood of creating a film studies major. "Right now, we're focusing on hiring one faculty member," she said. "That's always been our plan. Once we get a real live film scholar, we hope to have a full film studies major." English said that even if the center had been completed, the program would not be ready to take full advantage of its facilities. "What we've done on the ground right now isn't substantial enough to use that space," he said. "It was growing room for us." English added that the program will explore other possible screening locations for the time being. The Annenberg Center provides one potential alternative for film studies screenings. The center will host the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema later this year. Still, many said that the film studies program will never be complete without the facilities that Sundance offered. "Right now, it seems like they're very content with a minor," Ly said. "I feel [a theater like Sundance] would bring an intellectual atmosphere to this campus which I think is sometimes lacking."