The Museum of the Moving Image announced yesterday that it will hold a ground-breaking celebration on February 27 for its expansion and renovation project. Designed by the New York-based firm of Leeser Architecture, the $65 million project will double the current size of the museum, transforming the entire first floor and creating a “strikingly contemporary” new three-story addition.

The opening of the renovated and expanded museum is anticipated for late 2009. During the construction period, its on-site activities will be curtailed, but the museum will continue to provide off-site screenings, discussions, and family and community programs in all five boroughs. The series of preview screenings of award-contending films, many of them featuring discussions with their directors and stars, will continue at movie theaters in Manhattan. The museum’s monthly series of talks, panels, and special programs at the Times Center in Manhattan will also continue.

To prepare for construction, the museum will close its Riklis Theater in advance of the groundbreaking. The final screening will be “How Green Was My Valley,” directed by John Ford, on February 24.

“With this groundbreaking, the Museum of the Moving Image is about to enter an exciting new era of programming and service,” the director of the museum, Rochelle Slovin, said in a statement.