A patron-level invitation to a private research screening at the Danish Film Institute on 26 February 2026, presented by Storm Boysen together with historians and military specialists from Hungary and possibly Austria.

The event will feature 4K scanned material currently undergoing verification, including what may be the first confirmed examples of First World War close quarters combat footage identified.

On 26 November 2025, Storm Boysen, Founder & Researcher, was received at the Embassy of Hungary in Copenhagen by Ambassador Gabriella Jakab and First Secretary Dr. Gyula Mike for a discussion on the rediscovered 1918 frontline footage. The Embassy expressed strong interest in the material and in the project. The meeting was warm, constructive, and highlighted a shared commitment to documenting this rare part of Austro-Hungarian First World War history. Representatives from the Embassy have expressed interest in attending the closed research screening at the Danish Film Institute in early 2026.

The screening will be conducted with the utmost respect for the individuals depicted and the historical context in which they lived and died. Participants will be among the first people since 1918 to witness real First World War frontline combat with modern clarity, a moment no living generation has experienced. This is the first-ever presentation of 1918 frontline combat footage, in this clarity.

A limited number of patron invitations (approx. 10 seats) will be available for the closed research screening at the Danish Film Institute in 2026.

Further details, including participating individuals will be announced as international coordination with participating institutions continues. 

Those interested in attending or receiving further information are welcome to contact:

stormboysen05@gmail.com

Official lifetime recognition as a Patron of the To Hell and Back Project

Listed by name (with permission) on the project website as part of the group that enabled the preservation and first scholarly presentation of this material.

Priority access to the restored proof-of-concept film (late 2026)

Invitation to an early, small-group screening of the proof-of-concept film (in person). Patrons will be among the small group of funders, institutions, and historians who see the restored Piave sequence first, as well as the full 3-5 minute proof-of-concept. Complimentary access to future project screenings Patrons will be offered free admission to future To Hell and Back Project research screenings and non-festival presentations of films.

Patron project updates

Periodic updates on the restoration process and on developments related to the proof-of-concept film.

Acknowledgment in the restoration documentation

Credit in the documentation accompanying the reconstruction of the footage, as part of the permanent project record.

Content note

The screening includes real 1918 frontline combat images of men under fire and being hit at extremely close range. The film will be projected from a 4K wet-gate preservation scan in cinema conditions, representing a level of clarity that has never been available before for this kind of material. The 4K clarity and proximity may be extremely distressing for some viewers.

Reserve your ticket for the screening on 26 February 2026 at 13:00 at the Danish Film Institute, Gothersgade 55, 1123 Copenhagen K:

Reserve your DFI Ticket and Lifetime Patron Recognition

For questions related to the DFI patronage tickets, please contact:

stormboysen05@gmail.com