HOT SPRINGS — The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute will auction off its memorabilia, art, and vintage photo and projection equipment beginning Monday, with proceeds benefiting 2013 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.

The first in a series of auctions will begin at 5 p.m. Monday and continue each Monday in February at Godbehere Auction Co. at 901 Airport Road in Hot Springs.

The available items range from memorabilia from previous festivals and signed graphics and art from filmmakers and directors to vintage photo and projection equipment.

After moving its main office from the Malco Theater to The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce last year, the Film Institute has had little need for the office space and materials contained in it, said Susan Altrui, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute’s board chairman, in a news release.

The Institute’s film archive will not be for sale, she said.

The Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute is the only film institute in the country dedicated to the genre of documentary film. It is home to the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, the oldest documentary film festival in the country, founded in 1991.

Megan Baker, the Institute’s operations manager, and other veteran volunteers set aside important memorabilia representing the Malco and the history of the Institute that will not be auctioned off but instead will be stored for safe keeping.

“We recognize that there are many treasures to the Malco and to the film institute that need to be preserved for future generations and we’re taking steps to ensure that those items are properly cared for,” Altrui said.

The 2013 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival will be held Oct. 11-20 at the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa.

Arkansas, Pages 16 on 02/10/2013