The North West Film Archive (NWFA), based at Manchester Metropolitan University, is the recognised public home for moving images illustrating life in North West of England. The Archive developed from a research project, initiated in 1977, into the region’s film and cinema industries. By 1978 this had demonstrated the need for, and viability of, a body dedicated to the search, rescue and preservation of North West moving images so that their long-term survival would be ensured. The principal work of the Archive is the custodianship and development of its collections. Currently, over 19,000 films are held including newsreels, documentaries, promotional and advertising material, educational items, travelogues, television programmes and home movies. The collection is a comprehensive and compelling record of North West work, leisure, holiday-making, domestic life, transport, customs and celebrations, healthcare, housing and wartime experiences from 1896 to the present day. Complementary collections of photographs, original documentation and recorded interviews have also been established which provide a context for the study of the moving image holdings.
The principal revenue funders of the NWFA are its parent body, the regional arts board, local authorities and the regional media industry. In addition, funding has been attracted for specific preservation programmes. Recent examples include awards from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (to copy 169 fragile/unstable 16mm titles) and from the Manchester Ship Canal Company (to preserve and catalogue its collection of 186 films). All nitrate-based titles have been copied with the assistance of the National Film and Television Archive and the Imperial War Museum.
The NWFA’s strategic, specialist role is endorsed by colleagues in the region’s public archives, museums, and record offices. The expertise and facilities developed here enable it to assume responsibility for moving images on behalf of these partners. As the NWFA has established a high profile in this region, it is also offered collections directly by members of the public, corporate and municipal bodies and special interest organisations. Material unrelated to its acquisition remit is redirected to more appropriate archives. While the focus of work is within the North West of England, the Archive regularly collaborates with colleagues in other public film archives throughout the country. It shares the concerns of all the regional film archives in Britain who are striving to preserve material about their area. Without the intervention of such bodies it is highly debatable that even a small proportion of the material rescued would survive today - and a vital documentary record of the twentieth century would be lost forever.
The North West Film Archive is looking forward to playing a key role in the celebrations for the Century of Cinematography and is arranging a programme of activities for 1996. The achievement of provisional membership of FIAF is a much valued encouragement to its work.
Maryann Gomes, Curator
TREl North West Film Archive (“NWFA”) está alojado en la Manchester Metropolitan University y cuenta con material que ilustra la vida de región del noroeste de Inglaterra. La colección consta de unos 19.000 elementos (entre noticiosos, documentales, material de publicidad y de promoción, films de educación y de viajes, programas de televisión, films de aficionados, etc.). Fotografías, documentación y grabaciones sonoras completan a las colecciones de imágenes en movimiento.
El “NWFA” está financiado por su institución principal, el Consejo regional de las artes, las autoridades locales y la industria de los medios de comunicaciones regionales. Subvenciones especiales han sido aprobadas para financiar diversos proyectos de restauración. El “NWFA” ha sido reconocido por los colegas de los archivos públicos de la región, museos y galerías. Además colabora activamente con otros archivos regionales de cine y de imágenes en movimiento. También espera participar a las celebraciones del Centenario del cine y se complace en incorporarse a la FIAF como Miembro provisorio.