QuickTake:

The independent cinema’s latest Kickstarter campaign — which it uses to gauge support for an idea and reduce financial risk — reached its goal as donors ponied up to back local screenings of “Thief,” “Heat,” “Ali” and more.

A Kickstarter campaign by the Eugene independent theater the Art House was successful in funding a 12-film series focused on the work of director Michael Mann, exceeding its $5,450 goal in the fundraiser’s final hours.

A total of 69 people pledged $5,625 by midnight on Sunday, July 20, to ensure the theater would have the capital for the licensing fees to put on the series. 

Art House managing director Edward Schiessl said it wasn’t any one large contribution that pushed the campaign over the edge. Instead, enough multiple people went back and revised their pledges to higher amounts to reach the fundraising goal.

“[It was] a lot of goodwill from the from the die hards,” Schiessl said. “They really want to see this happen, and kind of bring it for everybody else too.”

The crowdfunding model, novel for a small cinema, means the theater can pay those fees before selling tickets to avoid financial flops in case a screening or series isn’t well-attended. Contributions count as ticket sales, varying from piecemeal admission for films in the series to series passes and private screening packages. If a campaign is unsuccessful, all contributions are returned.

The Mann series is scheduled to begin Friday, July 25, with Mann’s 1981 directorial debut, “Thief,” starring James Caan as a jewel thief looking for one last big score. 

Here’s the full lineup:

  • “Thief” (1981) — July 25-31
  • “The Keep” (1983) — Aug. 1-7
  • A program of Michael Mann shorts and rarities — Aug. 8-14 (This is in place of “Manhunter,” Mann’s 1986 adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter thriller series installment “Red Dragon.” Licensing for “Manhunter” is on moratorium to build momentum for its 40th anniversary next year.)
  • “The Last of the Mohicans” (1992) — Aug. 15-21
  • “Heat” (1995) — Aug. 22-28
  • “The Insider” (1999) — Aug. 29-Sept. 4
  • “Ali” (2001) — Sept. 5-11
  • “Collateral” (2004) — Sept. 12-18
  • “Miami Vice” (2006) — Sept. 19-25
  • “Public Enemies” (2009) — Sept. 26-Oct. 2
  • “Blackhat” (2015) — Oct. 3-9
  • “Ferrari” (2023) — Oct. 10-16

Schiessl said the Art House will add tickets for the “Thief” screening to the website Monday evening.

Annie Aguiar is the Arts and Culture Correspondent. She has reported arts news and features for national and local newsrooms, including at the Seattle Times, the Washington Post and most recently as a reporting fellow for the New York Times’ Culture desk covering arts and entertainment.