North West Film Archive

Title: North West Film Archive

Description: The North West Film Archive (NWFA) is a public regional collection which holds over 26,500 reels of film and videotape from early 'animated pictures' to contemporary productions. The experiences and interests of North West people are vividly captured in both professional and amateur footage - a powerful record of modern urban society in moving pictures.
The collection includes cinema newsreels, documentaries, educational and training films, travelogues, advertising and promotional material, corporate videos and regional television programmes - alongside hundreds of films shot by local families and enthusiasts.
The geographical remit focuses on Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire, though footage relating to Merseyside, Cumbria and the Isle of Man is also represented. The NWFA holds home movies, filmed worldwide by the region's residents, in accordance with its Acquisition Policy where the integrity of the collections is valued.
Collection strengths include information about work, transport, sport and leisure, streetlife, celebrations, healthcare, housing and wartime experiences in the region. Many films also show regional and traditional customs such as Whit Walks and Wakes Week. Videotape is systematically acquired to provide a record of recent and contemporary life. Regular analyses of holdings establish gaps in coverage which are addressed by pro-active schemes; e.g. video commission on the theme of Asian communities' contributions to the textile industry.
Footage relating to the history of Black and Asian people in the North West is extremely rare and therefore most precious. Footage shot by members of these communities is the most highly prized. Within the NWFA the Video Collection comprises c.30 titles, the Television Collection has 5 relevant titles and there is also an NWFA Video Commission, entitled 'Follow the Chimneys', comprising the final edit and 7 original tapes. Key topics and themes covered in these titles include the following: Economic and social history; Education; Employment; Housing; Race relations; Racism and anti-racism; Religion; Women's studies.

Strengths: Post-war visual record affording rare glimpses of Black and Asian peoples in the North West, as incidental participants, as subjects and as producers.
The opportunity is afforded to compare and contrast the professional and personal filmed record of redevelopment during the 1960s.

Size: c.40 video recordings

Catalogue: North West Film Archive Online Catalogue

Catalogue URL: http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk:591/search/

Main URL: http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk

Access: Reference and information provided free of charge. A searchable, online catalogue is also available with an enquiry facility. Viewings at NWFA are provided free of charge to Higher Education institutions based in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire, and nominal fees applied to other users. (One week notice required.)
Videotape copies may be borrowed at a nominal fee, or exemptions apply, e.g. when footage may be acquired. (Three weeks notice required.).
Any usage beyond reference and research may require donor and/or copyright clearances.
Preservation requirements may limit access.

Acquisition dates: 1897 - present

Note:

Interest: Asian, Black

Complete: Complete

Subjects

Social history

Religions

Interethnic relations

Ethnic groups

Employment

Documentary films

Personal/Corporate names

Places

Manchester, United Kingdom