Storing your 8mm and 16mm Film If you have 8mm and/or 16mm film, may take a little more time to find a place where it can be preserved in your own home without degrading. The following are suggestions by HomeMovie.Com on how to store and keep your memories safe and intact. What to Do with your Film Store film where the temperatures and humidity are steady. Film stored at room temperature may last up to 50 years before decomposition occurs. Consider multiple locations for multiple copies of prints or duplicates of films Label your film correctly, so if you send it in to HomeMovie.Com, it will help both you and our team to quickly get your film processed. Use “Safety” film stock, polyester base preferred Store on moisture-proof cores and in corrosion-resistant cans Store horizontally, no more than 8 cans high Store no hotter than 70 degrees with 20 to 30 percent humidity What Not To Do with Film Do not store your film in plastic or Ziplock bags. Film needs to breathe and needs the exposure to oxygen. Lack of ventilation will cause the films rate of decomposition to increase. Do not store film in attics. Temperatures vary often. Do not store in direct sunlight Avoid any locations near chemicals, paint or exhaust Do not through away your originals once HomeMovie.Com has processed your film. Those are still something you can preserve as a keepsake