Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker support the Archive

In December Martin Scorsese shared his passion for British cinema with an invited audience at BFI Southbank. Coinciding with the release of the acclaimed restoration of The Red Shoes (1948) Scorsese spoke of the influence of Powell and Pressburger's work on his own filmmaking while Thelma Schoonmaker - Michael Powell's widow and Scorsese's long time editor - described the work undertaken by the restoration team.

The event was held to highlight the importance of film preservation and the urgent need for funding to support key projects. As a director of the Film Foundation, Scorsese has for many years been one of the world's major advocates and supporters of film preservation. The Film Foundation has recently funded the BFI's forthcoming restoration and preservation of Cavalcanti's British noir They Made Me a Fugitive (1947).

Head curator Robin Baker presented the BFI's key restoration plans for the next few years, highlighting an ambition to ensure the restoration and preservation of Alfred Hitchcock's silent films in time for a major retrospective in 2012.

The BFI is dependent upon the generosity of trusts, funds and, in particular, individuals to enable it to achieve its restoration ambitions. If you would like to find out more about contributing towards the BFI's Silent Hitchcock project, or any other titles in our restoration plan, please contact Deborah Myers, deputy director of development, on 020 7815 1391.