Srila Prabhupada’s Film Restoration Project

Support the global initiative to restore and preserve all of the film footage captured of Srila Prabhupada.

Our mission is to transfer the original analog 16mm films of Srila Prabhupada to 4K digital video format, and the S-8/8mm films to 2K digital, removing scratches and imperfections frame by frame and bringing them to “pristine” quality. With Yadubara Dasa turning 80 and the films continuing to deteriorate, it is urgent that the films be transferred to high resolution digital as soon as possible.

The first films of Srila Prabhupada by Yadubara Dasa and Visakha Dasi were recorded in 1971. Since then, they have preserved their films, as well as those taken by other devotees, TV stations, etc. In 1998 the entire film library of 47 hours was transferred to Standard Definition (SD) digital video format. Since then, technology has progressed in leaps and bounds. Today, a transfer to 4K digital will capture the maximum quality that a 16mm movie frame provides. The S-8 and 8mm films will be transferred to 2K quality.

The films will be transferred to digital by a motion picture film laboratory in Washington DC who specialize in work for the US government and the military. The transfer is Phase One, after which the films can be retired to long-term storage at the Bhaktivedanta Archives. Then comes Phase Two, where the digital video files will be restored to the highest pristine quality by a company in India, removing scratches and imperfections in each frame of film.