BFC Organization History

  • 1907-1912: Fort Lee emerges as the epicenter of American filmmaking due to its proximity to New York City and diverse landscapes. Major studios such as Universal Pictures, Fox Film Corporation, and Éclair Studios establish themselves in the city, laying the groundwork for the early American film industry.

  • 1912: Alice Guy-Blaché opens Solax Studios in Fort Lee, making history as one of the first female directors and studio heads. Her contributions underscore Fort Lee’s role as a breeding ground for cinematic pioneers.

  • 1910s-1920s: Iconic directors and actors, including D.W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, and Mack Sennett, create some of their earliest films in Fort Lee, using the city’s streets and studios for production.

Early 1900s: Fort Lee Becomes the Birthplace of American Cinema

  • By the early 1920s, filmmakers begin relocating to Hollywood, California, due to its favorable weather and open land for year-round shooting. This shift marks the decline of Fort Lee as the hub of American filmmaking. Despite this shift, Fort Lee remains a historic landmark in film history, particularly as the place where early American film techniques and storytelling were developed.

1920s: The Rise of Hollywood

  • Despite the industry’s migration westward, Fort Lee remains a site of significant cinematic achievements during the 1930s and 1940s. In 1930, stricter fire laws in Manhattan lead RKO to relocate the production of W.C. Fields’ first “talkie,” The Golf Specialist, to Ideal Studio in Hudson Heights. The following year, Metropolitan Studios in Fort Lee becomes the creative hub for two groundbreaking films: The Exile, the first all-talking African-American film directed by Oscar Micheaux, and the first “talking” adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, starring Ruth Gilbert. 

  • Later, in 1947, 20th Century Fox returns to its roots in Fort Lee to shoot interiors for the noir classic Kiss of Death at Holy Angels Academy. 

  • Fort Lee’s legacy as a filmmaking hub is further solidified in 1948, when Micheaux chooses the city for his final film, The Betrayal, cementing its role as a touchstone for innovation and diversity in American cinema.

1930s through 1940s: Fort Lee’s Continued Cinematic Contributions

  • The Fort Lee Film Commission is created to preserve Fort Lee’s legacy as the birthplace of American cinema. The commission works to educate the public about the city’s significant contributions to early filmmaking and to commemorate key historical sites with markers.

1999: Fort Lee Commission Established

  • The Fort Lee Film Commission spearheads efforts to preserve the city’s film history through events, film screenings, and educational programs. These initiatives keep the memory of Fort Lee’s role in the early film industry alive, connecting the past with contemporary cinema culture.

2000s: Reviving the Legacy of Fort Lee

  • In October 2022, the Barrymore Film Center (BFC) opens its doors, fulfilling the vision of the Fort Lee Film Commission to establish a permanent home for Fort Lee’s cinematic heritage. Named after the renowned Barrymore family, the center houses a 250-seat theater for film screenings and events, as well as educational and cultural programming.

  • The BFC celebrates Fort Lee’s place in film history, while fostering the future of filmmaking through workshops, film festivals, and collaborations with industry professionals. It also plans inclusive programs such as accessible screenings for people with disabilities and partnerships with Fort Lee High School to support students with disabilities.

2020s: Barrymore Film Center Opens

  • As the Barrymore Film Center becomes the cultural hub of Fort Lee’s film history, the mission of the Fort Lee Film Commission is realized. The center not only preserves the rich cinematic legacy of Fort Lee but also serves as a beacon for film education, community engagement, and innovation in the art of filmmaking.

Present Day: The Barrymore Film Center Continues Fort Lee’s Film Legacy

The Barrymore Film Center represents the culmination of Fort Lee’s contributions to early American cinema, ensuring that the city’s pioneering role in the film industry is remembered and celebrated for generations to come.