ABOUT
Get involved with our exciting new project which shines a light on archival films from the past depicting the lives of Black people in London.
Through research, digitisation and community events we are unearthing films in our screen archives, cataloguing new material and re-interpreting collections.
This year we will be bringing these archive films back to communities through film screenings, workshops and events across London. See below for more information of what is coming up.
The project aims to create a space where we can discuss the importance celebrating and preserving the Black experience in London and highlight the crucial role screen archives play in preserving stories from the past.
We are currently working with partners including The New Black Film Collective, Black Cultural Archives, June Givanni Pan African Cinema Archive, Hackney Archives and Southwark Archives with the support of the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to begin addressing the current lack of Black stories in London’s screen archives.
COMMUNITY FILM DIGITISATION
All lives and stories are important to preserve for the next generation.
As part of the project funding we can help individuals and groups from the Black community digitise their film material. Whether on video or celluloid formats most film is at risk from deterioration and would benefit from digitisation.
We will work closely with individuals or groups to digitise film material in the most equitable way, explaining and involving you in the process every step of the way. We will produce a digital copy for you to keep and discuss whether you would like to share your films with one of our partner archives for future preservation. We can also work with you to support the creation or continuation of your own film archive with the right archival conditions.
If you have you have any home movies or other films that you would like digitised and preserved please contact us on screenheritage@filmlondon.org.uk or 0207 613 7674, or sign up to our newsletter and watch this space for upcoming events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bernie Grant Arts Centre invites you to bring your own home movies and join us in a discussion about how and why to preserve these vital records for future generations. London’s Screen Archives (LSA) will be present throughout the day, offering insights into the significance of celluloid and vintage video film formats. They’ll provide video players and small gauge viewers, so you can watch your home movies, even if you don’t have access to the equipment at home. We’ll also be screening films from LSA’s collections that explore Black heritage in London, highlighting the rich and diverse narratives that have shaped our communities.
Thursday 10 October 6-8pm | Caring for Your Collections with The New Black Film Collective & London’s Screen Archives
The New Black Film Collective x London’s Screen Archives present an evening of films from the 1970s-2000s filmed in Tower Hamlets on the themes of love, community, protest and racism. The event will explore why it is important to protect and preserve your own personal collections and Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives and London’s Screen Archives will be able to give audiences expert advice about how to care for your documents, photos and films including a chance to get hands-on with old film formats through their workshops.
Friday 25 October 4-6pm I A Quiet Place: Day One Newham Community Cinema – Deaf Black History Month
Newham Community Cinema presents a free screening of A Quiet Place: Day One plus an interactive introduction to film archives with London’s Screen Archives.
Saturday 26 October 2-4pm I Communities on Camera – Wimbledon Library
Join us for Community on Camera, a special event from Merton Heritage Service and the London Screen Archives. We will be showcasing archive footage of Black communities in London, followed by a discussion on how to preserve these vital records for future generations. Bring along your own treasured home movies to watch on our video players and small gauge viewers. You can learn more about the importance of safeguarding these films for present and future generations. All footage is valuable, from the mundane moments of day-to-day life, to snapshots of large cultural events. It all contributes to the ever-rolling story of how Black communities have continued to thrive across the capital city. This event will be held at Merton Arts Space, Wimbledon Library. Booking is required but we will also accept walk-ins on the day, subject to the available space.
UPCOMING TRAINING
