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.

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.