The Texas Film Round-Up provides FREE digitization for Texas-related films and videotapes in exchange for the donation of a digital copy of the materials to TexasArchive.org. A partnership between the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI) and the Texas Film Commission, this program has served thousands of individuals, businesses, and cultural institutions since 2008. Analog film and video submissions are accepted for the program during March and October. You can submit previously digitized films and videotapes as well as born-digital files for potential inclusion in TexasArchive.org here.
Submissions for the free digitization program are closed for 2023. Check back for more information in 2024 or sign up for our email list for updates.
Program Details
Review the program requirements detailed in the sections below:
• Why digitizing films and videotapes is important
• Types of films and video productions accepted
• Portable drive for your collection
• What the program cannot accept
• What if my films were transferred to videotape?
• What if I have digital files of previous transfers?
Why digitizing films and videotapes is important
Film and videotapes are fragile and impermanent. They are susceptible to heat and humidity, two staples of Texas’ climate, and can decompose at very rapid rates meaning the history held in those frames are lost forever. Many film and videotape collections have been lost to hurricanes, floods, other natural disasters, and simple neglect.
Transferring films and videotapes to a digital format is the best way to preserve the content long after the original medium has deteriorated. The benefits of digitization include the ability to: migrate to new digital formats as needed, create multiple copies that you can store in different places, and view the videos on your computer without putting wear and tear on the originals.
Types of film and video productions accepted
The program welcomes all kinds of production types, including advertisements, industrial films, amateur films, itinerant films, animation, local television, documentaries, newsreels, educational films, promotional films, government films, PSAs, home movies, student films and more.
Program requirements
To qualify, your films and videotapes must
- be any of the following formats:
- Film: Super 8, 8mm, 16mm
- Video: 8mm Video, Betamax, Digital 8, Hi-8, Mini-DV, VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS, 1" Open Reel, Betacam SP, Betacam SX, Digital Betacam, DVCam, DVCPro, HDCam, MPEG IMX, U-matic, U-matic SP
- relate to the history and culture of Texas because they were filmed in Texas, filmed by a Texan, or featured Texas or Texans,
- be in the public domain or submitted by the copyright holder, who grants permission for the content to be shared by TAMI, and
- up to 50 film reels* and 20 videotapes per household.
*The program limit is up to 50 film reels or 3,500 feet of film (whichever is less).
TAMI's services for the program include
- inventory your films and videotapes,
- provide minor cleaning and repairs, if necessary,
- digitize the materials,
- transfer digital files to a portable drive that you are billed for, and
- return your originals with the portable drive.
Portable drive for your collection
Once your collection has been digitized, you will receive a notice of the portable hard drive size needed to transport your collections.The purchase of a hard drive from TAMI to transport your files is appreciated but not required. Depending on the size of the collection, the drives range in price from $12 to $65. Prices for each size of drive are as follows:
- 16GB $12
- 32GB $15
- 64GB $23
- 128GB $33
- 256GB $65
- 1TB $65
We also recommend reading our Home Media Preservation Guide to learn more about how to properly save your digital files, how to back up your portable drive, and what to do with your physical originals after TAMI digitized your personal archive.
Additional Transfers
If you purchase more than one portable drive, the cost for additional transfers is $15 each.
TAMI regrets that it cannot accept
- any format not mentioned above, including audio tapes and variations of open reel video
- copyrighted material (i.e., programs recorded from television or commercial films),
- videos made for insurance purposes, nor
- film or videotape deemed in too poor condition for safe transfer.
If your materials are not eligible for the free digitization program, we can advise you on preservation and digitization options. Please contact us for more information at 512-485-3073 or info@texasarchive.org.
What if my films were already transferred to videotape?
Regardless if your films were transferred to videotape years ago, we can assist you. If they meet the qualifications for the free digitization program, TAMI can digitize these materials for you. We highly encourage using the original films rather than the videotape copies. The quality of your digitized materials will be much improved.
What if I have digital files of previous transfers?
You can submit previously digitized films and videotapes as well as born-digital files for potential inclusion in TexasArchive.org here.
Need more information?
Feel free to contact us at 512-485-3073 or info@texasarchive.org.
