Don’t throw your films away; bring them to Home Movie Day!

“Saving our film heritage should not be limited only to commercially produced films. Home movies do not just capture the important private moments of our family’s lives, but they are historical and cultural documents as well. Home Movie Day is a celebration of these films and the people who shot them. I urge anyone with an interest in learning more about how to care for and preserve their own personal memories to join in the festivities being offered in their community…”— Martin Scorsese

Home Movie Day is a worldwide celebration of amateur films and filmmaking, held annually in October and is free and open to the public. For the ninth London Home Movie Day, film archivists will take time out of the vaults to help the public enjoy and save their home movies. Home Movie Day shows how home movies on 8mm, Super8, 9.5mm and 16mm offer a unique view of past life in London and of family history.

There will be a free Film Clinic, staffed by volunteer film archivists, to which members of the public may bring their films for examination. Film London will be showcasing home movies from the London’s Screen Archives and LSA archivists will be on hand throughout the day to offer advice about your own home movies as well as digitisation through the London: A Bigger Picture project.

Expert projectionists will be continuously screening home movies throughout the day. As people may have inherited films without the equipment to watch them, this is the most special and enjoyable part of the day. Home Movie Day is held at the Cinema Museum in Kennington, itself a shrine to the glory days of cinema. It’s a free event, family-friendly and anybody is welcome. You don’t need to bring a film to attend and enjoy the day!

Special Screenings 13.30-14.30

Home Movies from the Bryan Forbes Collection

A selection of home movies from the collection of director Bryan Forbes, featuring films made on set and at home with his wife Nanette Newman and friends and colleagues including Peter Sellers, Michael Caine, Katharine Hepburn and many more.

Special thanks to Nanette Newman for granting permission for this screening and to BFI archive curator John Oliver. These films are courtesy of the BFI National Archive.

David Lean Home Movie – Italy (c.1950)
Director David Lean shot this home movie while travelling around Italy with his third wife, actress Ann Todd. Special thanks to the David Lean Foundation.

These films are courtesy of the BFI’s Britain on Film project and a new collection of Home Movies & Amateur Film is now available on BFI Player.

London’s Screen Archives Collection
A special screening of films that capture London’s history as seen through the eyes of the families and communities who have helped shape it.

Don’t deprive your descendants by letting your films decay in the loft; bring them to Home Movie Day!

11.00 to 16.00. Entry free. Tea and cake will be available.