Film Series' popularity helps obtain extra funds

The TCU Senate approved $8,400 of buffer funding on Sunday that will allow the Tufts Film Series to continue offering free movies to the Tufts community.

There was some concern that Film Series would run out of money before the end of the year if it continued to spend money at its current rate without additional funding, Tufts Community Union (TCU) Treasurer Josh Belkin said. To avoid this, the Senate's Allocations Board (ALBO) recommended the Senate award the group buffer funding.

"Film Series attracts hundreds of people every weekend," Chairman of Film Series David Kramer said. He said it would be terrible for the undergraduate community if it had to come down to cutting this "valid source of entertainment" in the last few weekends of school.

The funds were approved by the Senate, but not before a debate as to whether the group deserved the money.

All senators except for TCU Vice President Joe Mead ultimately voted in favor of the allocation of funds.

"They thought that we were the eternal wealth, and that did not sit well with me. But they do entertain thousands of students per weekend," TCU President Chike Aguh said.

Belkin said the money is well spent since many people attend the weekly screenings. He added that when giving monies to student groups, the Senate considers how much each dollar will benefit the community.

The group's budgeting methods was an issue of concern for some senators. Film Series spends approximately $15,000 to $18,000 per semester on movies, but this semester the group will spend $18,750. The group's ALBO budget allocates spending of only $15,300 per semester.

According to the TCU Treasury, the group had already submitted $27,615 in film expenses for this year. With funds running low, a desperate message appeared on the group's website, which encouraged students to ask the Senate to approve additional funds.

Film Series has a history of running over budget. The group received $4,590 in buffering funding last year. The group already has the TCU's third-largest budget, behind the Leonard Carmichael Society and Concert Board.

"They overextended their budget last year and used buffer funding, same this year. I'm totally against it," TCU Mead said.

According to Film Series' ALBO budget, the group is supposed to show 23 films a semester. Fourteen of the movies are "Friday Features," which are class films, and nine of these are meant to be new releases, which typically have opened in theaters within the past few months.

Instead, the group is showing 26 films this semester, 11 current films and 15 "Friday Features." New movies are shown twice on Saturdays and once on Sunday afternoons. Film Series added a Thursday showing last semester.

The increase can be partly attributed to the $3,200 Film Series will spend to bring the Lord of the Rings trilogy to Tufts students this April. ALBO budgets $900 per film, although prints of newly released films can cost anywhere from $800-1,200.

Kramer said the money is worth it. "For students to be able to see this [trilogy] for free is unique," Kramer said, pointing out that people have paid over $20 to view comparable marathons in the past. "It's a great way to end the year."

ALBO and Film Series are currently finalizing next year's budget. Although budgets will not be final until Thursday, Associate Treasurer Cho Ling said the group is tentatively scheduled to receive an increase next year. Next year's budget had no impact on Sunday's decision.

Ling said continuing activities such as Film Series was the reason why they had extra funds. "Every show is packed," he said. "The reason people [use] buffering funding is for better things, and these are better movies."

Jon Schubin and Daniel Lutz contributed to this article.