In the bustling heart of the North side of Chicago, a unique venture emerged, grounded in family heritage, a passion for storytelling, and a desire to reconnect with the past. StockFilm.com, a company committed to preserving, digitizing, and sharing vintage 8mm home movies, was the brainchild of entrepreneur Phil Maher.
Phil's inspiration stemmed from a deeply personal connection to the medium of 8mm film. His grandfather, Lawrence Maher, was an amateur cinematographer who, along with his wife Patricia, meticulously documented the lives and adventures of their Irish-Polish Catholic family in Chicago. Using his trusty 8mm camera, Lawrence captured the family's everyday moments, holiday gatherings, religious celebrations, and vacations, creating a rich tapestry of mid-20th-century life.
After Lawrence and Patricia passed away, their precious collection of 8mm films was tucked away, largely forgotten, until Phil discovered the reels in the family attic. As he watched the films, he was transported back in time. He saw his family's history unfold in flickering, grainy images, and felt an immediate connection to his ancestors and their stories. But he was also struck by the fragile and transient nature of these celluloid memories. The films were deteriorating, their images fading, and with them, his family's legacy.
Drawing on his entrepreneurial spirit and a deep reverence for his family's heritage, Phil embarked on a mission to save these irreplaceable films. He began digitizing his grandfather's collection, painstakingly restoring the images and creating a digital archive of his family's unique story. But as he worked, Phil realized that there were likely thousands of other families with their own collections of 8mm films, their own fading histories.
And so, StockFilm.com was born. Phil envisioned a platform where people could not only preserve their own family's heritage, but also share it with others. He saw the potential for these films to create a shared understanding of our collective past, fostering a sense of community and connection.
Today, StockFilm.com stands as a testament to Phil Maher's commitment to preservation and storytelling. Rooted in the legacy of Lawrence and Patricia Maher, it embodies their spirit of exploration and dedication to family. It is more than just a company; it is a mission to ensure that our shared histories continue to inform, inspire, and connect us for generations to come.
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Why License Our Video Clips?
Unparalleled Authenticity: StockFilm.com takes pride in offering a vast, one-of-a-kind library of footage that is 100% unique, originating from rare physical media. No AI-generated content here - we're committed to preserving genuine history and delivering unaltered, true-to-life visuals.
Expertly Preserved in 4K Resolution: Our dedicated team uses state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to convert 8mm and Super 8 films into stunning 4K resolution. This meticulous process ensures that you receive the highest possible quality footage, ready for seamless integration into your projects.
Flexible Licensing Options: In collaboration with our esteemed partners - Adobe Stock, Pond5, and Shutterstock - StockFilm.com offers a range of licensing options, catering to your specific needs. Whether you require a standard or extended license, you can be confident that our footage is suitable for commercial use, as well as personal or artistic projects.
Preserve historic home movies
Best 8mm home movie footage
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13
Giant Plastic Totes
1,500
Physical Film Reels
32
Lockboxes
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Edited, colored, meta data added clips licensing on top stock footage marketplaces
172,912
Videos
128
Hours
7.2
Terabytes
Film footage captured in 4k resolution from 8mm and Super 8 home movies
285
Hours
12.37
Terabytes
Massive library of 8mm and Super 8 film home movies
1,583
Physical Film Reels
299,600
Est. Feet of Film
23,968,000
Est. Film Frames
405
Est. Physical Reel Hours
A collection of over 700,000 still images
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Contact Archivist
Dear Valued Customer,
We're delighted that you're considering our exquisite 4K resolution footage for your upcoming project. Our collection captures the beauty of life's most precious moments, and we're confident that it will add an unparalleled touch to your work.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or inquiries about our offerings. I'm personally committed to providing prompt and informative responses, ensuring that you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your creative masterpiece.
Warm Regards,
Phil Maher
Founder & President
StockFilm.com
© 2023