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Explore archive films
See shorts and features, showing the best from the BFI, national and regional archives - including 120 years of Britain on film
What we're watching
Pride in London 1975Pride in London 1975
Amateur film19751 minsSilent Location: Shepherd's Bush
A short but sweet show of stylish and colourful characters, parading to bring pride and power to the queer community in Central London.
Village Horticultural ShowVillage Horticultural Show
Amateur film19537 minsSilent Location: Tolleshunt D'Arcy
Competition is fierce at the traditional 'Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Exhibition' held in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex as proud participants pray their produce makes the grade.
The Heart of a FishergirlThe Heart of a Fishergirl
Drama19109 minsSilent Location: East Lulworth
A dramatic tale of forbidden love, faithlessness and shipwreck, filmed on the stunning Dorset coast
Out and AboutOut and About
Non-Fiction197914 mins Location: Leeds
Sandwiched between two typical native spectacles, the flower show and performing animals, the Leeds Carnival brings forth all the rhythms and exuberance of the Caribbean.
June StrawberriesJune Strawberries
Current affairs19682 minsSilent Location: Tamerton Foliot
Strawberry-picking and feasting is the order of the day
Herons on Walthamstow Reservoir June 1951Herons on Walthamstow Reservoir June 1951
Amateur film195113 minsSilent Location: Walthamstow
Regal herons and their young are filmed in the urban wilderness of Walthamstow Reservoir in this home movie shot from a hide in the 1950s.
Queer Britain
A colourful and challenging collection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lives over the past century.
A Couple of BeautiesA Couple of Beauties
Comedy197229 mins
Innuendo-laden crime caper, a star vehicle for Manchester-based drag queen Bunny Lewis
Scarborough Ahoy!Scarborough Ahoy!
Drama199433 mins Location: Scarborough
A straight woman and a gay man cruise their way across North East England in this Tennessee Williams-inspired short.
Gay Black GroupGay Black Group
Magazine and Review show198325 mins Location: Bloomsbury
The Gay Black Group - reasserting culture and identity on two levels.
We Who Have FriendsWe Who Have Friends
Documentary196949 mins Location: London
A fascinating and important film on attitudes towards homosexuality, and what it was like to be gay, shortly after it was partially legalised.
What's a Girl Like You ...What's a Girl Like You ...
Documentary196952 mins Location: Vauxhall
Scintillating look at the 1960s drag renaissance, with a visit to London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Every Moment CountsEvery Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image20239 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Life in Her HandsLife in Her Hands
Instructional195155 mins
Kathleen Byron - of Black Narcissus fame - stars in one of the most ambitious recruitment films ever made.
NHS 75NHS 75
Short documentary20233 mins
NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard reflects on the impact and legacy of the National Health Service in this short video produced to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.
Back to the CommunityBack to the Community
Documentary198629 mins Location: Bolton
Local authorities trial the Thatcher government’s new ‘care in the community’ initiative.
Tracing the Spread of InfectionTracing the Spread of Infection
Documentary194923 mins
Doctors undertake forensic-style detective work to identify the origins of outbreaks, in the fascinating film from the early days of the NHS.
The Strange Case of Penny AllisonThe Strange Case of Penny Allison
Government sponsored film200218 mins
Imelda Staunton and Hugh Laurie as you've not quite seen them before: in a comedy training video for Britain’s National Blood Service.
Featured collections
Home Movies & Amateur Film
Celluloid scrapbooks: the most intimate and personal of films invite us into Britain's birthday parties, back gardens and beach holidays.
Inside Film
The camera flips inward to film the creative process. Watch exclusive Q&As, documentaries and special features from the artists and obsessives who make the films.
VE Day
75 years ago, Britain threw itself a party. After six gruelling years of war, it had earned it.