Past Exhibitions and Events
The BFI is 75 years young this month and you can find out all about our history in our Reading Room.
Throughout June-August 2008 the Library's displays reflect on the BFI's contribution to film and TV culture over the last 75 years. Having started with Preservation, we now focus on Education: study, research, publish.
Throughout 2008 the library's displays reflects on the BFI's contribution to film and TV culture over the last 75 years. We started with that which is at the heart of all we do: Preservation.
Whether you eat the food or are the food, there is a veritable feast for the senses laid out for you this month at the BFI National Library which will leave you asking for more. So don't stand out there in the cold, come in and join us!
Take a stroll down memory lane and be entertained by opinion and fact on your favourite Channel 4 moment, in the BFI National Library.
Our display in October 2007, celebrated Black History Month by showcasing the careers of the winners of the BFI's and Every Generation Media's 100 Black Screen Icons online poll.
To celebrate the launch of 'Stardom' - the new title from the BFI National Library's 16+ Source Guide series - stargazed throughout September with a special exhibition of library materials devoted to those with that certain je ne sais quoi.
A small display of ephemera, drawn from the British Artists' Film & Study Collection at Central St Martins, and items from the BFI National Library throughout July and August 2007. Free access to non members, by arrangement.
Throughout May and June we celebrated the centenary of birth of two mega stars of the silver screen - Katharine Hepburn and John Wayne.
The start of an occasional series of informal discussions for library members where leading figures from the world of film and moving image research provide personal reflections on their past and future work.
To coincide with the BFI Southbank season on Shakespeare and the launch of our updated Shakespeare: 16+ guide, the BFI National Library was proud to display a wide selection of research material from our collections.
Come and discover the secrets of the scriptwriting process. On display, to the end of March, will be the annotated scripts of Derek Jarman, John Schlesinger, Ann Skinner and others, books and journals on the art of scriptwriting for film and TV.
There are few, if any, films in the history of cinema where subject and artwork were brought together as perfectly as in the James Bond series. This display featured iconic posters and artwork from many of the James Bond films. January 2007
Browse through our extensive collection of books and ephemera all about The Wizard of Oz, and discover these and many more facts about the film. You can even spend time with Dorothy et al. on our very own Yellow Brick Road. December 2006
Early film is a fascinating source for family research. Think of how revealing a photograph can be and how much more revealing that would be in motion. Even if we are not lucky enough to find our own relatives on film, these moving images from over a hundred years ago can give us a picture of what life was like for our grandparents, great grandparents (and even great-great grandparents).
In this display we revealed a wealth of information from a great variety of sources to provide a better understanding of Carol Reed, the man and the film-maker. August-September 2006
The library celebrated education. July 2006
The world of French costume drama and literary adaptation on display. An affirmation of national cultural heritage or merely a chance to feast the eye and indulge in nostalgia? June 2006
The BFI went West, and the Reading Room exhibition was devoted to all things Western. May 2006
Inspired by the Easter season, the BFI National Library was proud to present Easter Parade!, an exhibition devoted to the musical, in all of its forms. April 2006
To tie-in with a season of Kay Kendall's films at the NFT, the bfi National Library was proud to present a selection of materials available on her and other lovely ladies of 50s British cinema. March 2006
To tie in with the NFT's two month Renoir season the library exhibited a number of interesting items from Jean Renoir's life and work, including both items from Special Collections, such as press books and scripts, and items from General Collections, featuring books by and about Renoir.February 2006
To tie in with January's season at the NFT, the bfi National Library displayed a selection of the materials it holds on Cuban cinema, including original scripts, pressbooks and key texts. January 2006
To mark the return of Godzilla and King Kong, the bfi National Library was thrilled to present a truly terrifying festive display in the Reading Room. December 2005
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the launch of ITV, the bfi National Library was proud to present a display of related materials from its vaults. November 2005
John Nathan-Turner (1947-2002) was the longest serving producer ever to work on Doctor Who. To complement the recent acquisition of the John Nathan-Turner collection, we were proud to present a display dedicated to The Doctor.
Celebrating the centenary of Michael Powell's birth with a display that featured some of the many books in our collection about his life and work. The display included press books, screenplays and other ephemera. August 2005
To celebrate The Charles Chaplin Conference,held on 21 - 24 July 2005, the bfi National Library was proud to present a display that showcases the life and works of Charlie Chaplin. July 2005
To celebrate the launch of Black World, the BFI National Library was proud to present the first in a series of special displays focusing on the black moving image. June 2005
Celebrating the Carry On series with a special display featuring items from the library, alongside production material from the Gerald Thomas Collection. May 2005
This display focused on the Library's unique collection of festival catalogues gathered from film festivals around the world dating as far back as the 1934 Venice Biennale. April 2005.
In the wake of the awards season, we celebrated our greatest acting talent as recognised by that other awards ceremony - the Honours List. March 2005
A modest display of books reflecting the history of queer cinema to coincide with this important event. February 2005
Inspired by St Valentine's Day a display with an equal representation of the ever-present forces of good and evil, romance and violence. February 2005
A modest display of books and Special Collection items to complement the excellent season of Robert Hamer films. January 2005
Our display of books and Special Collection items to make you feel festive. December 2004
Research materials on Muybridge and the illusion of motion on display in the library reading room. November 2004
We celebrated British Black culture with a special display in the library reading room. October 2004
A tribute to the undisputed master of film title design. September 2004
Online reference resources about the Olympic Games, including films, TV programmes and publications. August 2004
Select your favourite biography from over 4,500 titles for a display in our reading room. August 2004
Annual members were invited to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the bfi National Library. June 2004
