As part of an effort to archive Texas’ history on screen, a statewide project is accepting submissions from Fort Bend County residents next month. The Texas Archive of the Moving Image’s Texas Film Round-Up Project is offering to digitize resident’s old film and videotapes if they relate to the state’s history. The project intends to capture any video filmed by a Texan, in Texas or about Texas as a means of preserving the state’s history through the eyes of regular citizens. Eligible videos for the project will be converted to a digital format for free and may include home movies, news reports, advertisements, education and industrial films. Christina Bryant, administrative coordinator for Texas Archive of the Moving Image, said staff can advise residents as to what types of footage are acceptable for the project. Since 2008, the archive has more than 35,000 films and videos preserved, about 4,000 of which are available online. “We go to different areas three times a year in order to cover the state of Texas. This spring we selected Fort Bend County,” she said. “ It seemed like an area we hadn’t necessarily covered.” Bryant said her team hopes to benefit submitted by new and long-time residents in the growing Fort Bend County area. The archive is partnering with Fort Bend County Libraries, The Fort Bend Museum and the city of Sugar Land to collect tapes and film. Claire Rogers, executive director of the museum association, said the museum is partnering for the project as part of its 50th anniversary celebration this year. She said it aligns with the museum’s and the Fort Bend County Historical Commission’s efforts to gather oral histories of the area. “We’re hoping that people will get more involved in preserving their own family history,” she said.

How to submit your video for the Texas Film Round-Up Project

What formats are accepted?
  • Film: 16mm, 8mm, and Super 8 film
  • Video: VHS, VHS-C, Betacam SP, Betamax, ¾”/U-Matic, 8mm/Hi8/Video8/Digital8
How many can I submit? Owners may submit no more than 50 items per household, no more than 10 video tapes or no more than 3,500 feet of film. How long does the process take? The digitizing and archival process can take up to five months. The archive will take footage to its Austin offices. Where can I drop off my footage? From March 16-26, footage can be dropped off during normal business hours at:
  • Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. N, Sugar Land
  • George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview Drive, Richmond
  • Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library, 8100 FM 359 Rd, Fulshear
How will I get my footage back? The archive will return original materials and a digital copy to the owner once the process is complete. Depending on the size of the digital files, archive staff may contact owners if additional storage is needed for the footage. Owners must be willing to give the Texas Archive of the Moving Image a digital copy of their footage. For more information contact TAMI at 512-485-3073 or [email protected].