Instant gratification at its best.

Along with countless others who have shared similar moments, I was upset when Polaroid filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and announced the shutdown of its instant film operations.

Polaroid will always remind me of my first middle school dance, when I had my picture taken with my then-boyfriend. Our relationship lasted about two weeks, and I threw the picture away long ago, but I’ll never forget the magic of shaking the Polaroid film to reveal myself standing an awkward foot away from my middle school sweetheart.

 But Polaroid fans have a chance to rejoice, thanks to an Austrian named Florian Kaps who hopes to reinvent instant film. He’s purchased an old Polaroid factory in the Netherlands and joined forces with a former Polaroid executive, Ilford photo and Urban Outfitters, and plans on rolling out new film packs in 2010. Kaps calls his venture “The Impossible Project,” but his ideas seem quite plausible thanks to corporate support and the $2.6 million plus in donations he’s received from friends and family.

 If you can’t wait until 2010 to get your fix of retro film, you can purchase deadstock Polaroid film and a limited edition Polaroid camera from Urban Outfitters. A bonus: some of the proceeds go toward The Impossible Project.

Rhiannon