This just in: Tomorrow night the International Center of Photography is hosting a party to celebrate the upcoming release of a new series of instant films for Polaroid cameras. When Polaroid film was discontinued last year, it sent shock waves through a segment of the photography world and spurred a shopping and hoarding spree among those who came to rely on the material for test shots, among other things. At first it didn't look as though any qualified player was willing to step up to the plate and take over production of the film.

But the news recently got better. A press release dated October 14, 2009 from PolaPremium, which is working closely with Polaroid to produce the film, states, "Since 2005, it has been our honour and pleasure to celebrate and evoke the sensational and almost mysterious power of Instant Photography in memory of Dr. Edwin Land." The press release goes on to say that the company now owns the former Polaroid plant in Enschede (NL), and have launched The Impossible Project to develop and produce a limited edition of Polaroid (R) branded instant films in 2010.

Eat your heart out: Vintage Polos from The Impossible Project website, left to right: The Flatiron Building, in the heart of New York's Photo District: vintage film, processed and peeled; the 9 West 57th Street brand image.

But understanding the power of anticipation, and the anxieties it can provoke, tomorrow night The Impossible Project will offer the last original, carefully saved Polaroid^TM film - repackaged in a special limited edition designed by Paul Giambarba, who created the iconic look of Polaroid from 1958 to 1977.

The party tomorrow night will introduce Paul Giambarba, as well as Florian Kaps, initiator of The Impossible Project. Apart from the Paul Giambarba Edition, which includes 15 different kinds of original Polaroid^TM film, there will also be an ICP Special Edition Camera Kit of 100 items, including film and a tote bag - available exclusively at ICP.

The Polaroid Party, Friday, December 18th, 2009, from 5:00 - 7:30 pm is FREE and open to the public. at International Center of Photography. 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43^rd Street, New York.

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If you can't get to the party, check out The Impossible Project website, which includes information about vintage Polaroid cameras, including a 4 x 5 that also accepts traditional film and film for the SX-70, a camera favored by photographers including Walker Evans, Nan Goldin, and Dash Snow, to name a few.