Access to archive film and television
Whether it be for academic study or a personal connection to a particular production, to use a clip of footage or simply for curiosity...
... enthusiasm for archive film and television has increased notably in recent times, as have our expectations of ready access to this potentially rich and illuminating resource.
Some footage will be available to view online - officially or otherwise - however the vast majority of older television and film titles are not currently available online, to download or to acquire on DVD.
Developing strategies for digitisation and providing online access are clearly key and ongoing issues for archives - in both the public and commercial sectors. Currently, however, the majority of public archives’ holdings will still be in traditional formats - 35mm and 16mm film, or the video and DVD formats of recent decades.
Does it survive?
Sadly, it will be the case that there are no known surviving copies of certain old film or television titles. This can be true particularly for British TV programmes produced before the 1970s which may not have been recorded for posterity at the time of broadcast, or which were subsequently wiped by broadcasters for reasons of economy. Similarly, it can prove impossible to locate surviving copies of many early films, especially those not produced or owned by major studios or corporations.
Getting access
If material does survive in archives, the next step is to establish what kind of access is being sought, for what purpose, and whether it is possible or practical to gain access subject to rights and archival conditions.
It should be noted that public archives are often not in a position to provide personal copies of specific items on request for reasons relating to copyright, in addition to practical and cost considerations. Viewing facilities are usually provided on archive premises for researchers to consult items that are not otherwise available.
A copy of a film or programme can sometimes be supplied to participants or contributors (or their immediate families) based on their personal involvement with the production. Such requests should be made in the first instance to the relevant broadcaster or rightsholder.
The next steps
The BFI's own archive - the BFI National Archive - is one of the world's greatest collections of film and television, the majority of which is British material.
For information on accessing our archive please see - Accessing the Collections
All parts of Britain are covered by a network of public regional and national archives whose collections focus particularly on items of regional interest and significance. You can find your regional screen archive through our Researchers' Guide directory.
Most major film-producing countries will have their own national archives also. filmarchives online provides access to the catalogues of national film archives across Europe.
In addition to the BFI's screenonline, mediatheques and Research Viewing Service, other resources specifically providing educational research access to archive film and television in Britain include:
British Pathe - digital archive of news, sport, social history and entertainment offering free classroom use for UK maintained schools.
BUFVC - off-air television recording back-up services for subscribing UK educational institutions.
NewsFilm Online - news archives available for playback or download to staff and students at subscribing UK universities and colleges.
BBC Active - BBC television programmes supplied to educational and other institutions for screening and licensing.
