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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
Ill, ActuallyIll, Actually
Documentary201912 mins
A short documentary exploring the challenges of being young and chronically ill in a carefully curated online culture. When you’re too ill for IRL, where do you turn?
Women in IndustryWomen in Industry
Public Information Filler19481 mins
The Ministry of Labour exhorts women to return to industry – the post-war production drive depends on them.
Dinosaurs and ThingsDinosaurs and Things
Animation & Artists Moving Image198113 minsSilent
Those “things” being spiders, serpents, pre-historic monsters and God. Stop-motion clay animation inspired by the work of Ray Harryhausen.
What Do You Do on Friday Night?What Do You Do on Friday Night?
Advert19262 minsSilent Location: Cambridge
Well-heeled Cambridge students dance the night away at the Varsity Dance Club in this early amateur cinema ad.
Inside Look NorthInside Look North
Animation & Artists Moving Image19773 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
From scoop to broadcast with the BBC Look North TV news crew in Newcastle, featuring legendary presenter Mike Neville.
Cambridge - St IvesCambridge - St Ives
Amateur film19688 minsSilent Location: Cambridge
Amateur film capturing the Cambridge to St Ives Eastern Rail route prior to its closure following the Beeching Report.
Christmas in Canterbury 1963Christmas in Canterbury 1963
Amateur film19632 minsSilent Location: Canterbury
John Clague's colourful film captures those last exciting days before Christmas – with Christmas trees and Christmas lights all ready for the big switch-on
Twyman's CornerTwyman's Corner
Amateur film19692 minsSilent Location: Canterbury
Witness a part of bygone Canterbury being bulldozed into oblivion - making way for the city's new ring-road - in this film by the architect John Clague
Welcome to Redhill; The Jewel of the SouthWelcome to Redhill; The Jewel of the South
Amateur film19754 mins Location: Redhill
Gasp in wonder at the charms of Redhill in this tongue-in-cheek look at life in the town.
Walsall MarketWalsall Market
News19736 mins Location: Walsall
The sights and sounds of Walsall Market
The Cup Action from the Third round of the F.A. CupThe Cup Action from the Third round of the F.A. Cup
Sport19242 minsSilent
FA Cup round-up: Cardiff City v Bristol City, Southampton v Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion v Manchester City.
BaseballBaseball
Amateur film19497 minsSilent Location: Cogan
Competitive hit-and-runs end with tea in the clubhouse for Cardiff's Cogan and Fairoaks baseball teams.
Worst Shoppers in the World CompetitionWorst Shoppers in the World Competition
News19755 mins Location: Leeds
Calendar News’ hotly contested Worst Shoppers in the World Competition quickly escalates into a competitive feud.
Pram Derby at TewkesburyPram Derby at Tewkesbury
News19571 minsSilent Location: Tewkesbury
Warning: contains images of men wearing nappies!
West Indian CarnivalWest Indian Carnival
News19806 mins Location: Leeds
In this celebratory short film, Leeds is transformed with colour and spectacle during the annual West Indian Carnival.
Solar EclipseSolar Eclipse
Non-Fiction19001 mins
The magic of a real solar eclipse filmed by a famous magician
Papplewick Pumping StationPapplewick Pumping Station
News19766 mins Location: Papplewick
With brass polished and a good head of steam Papplewick's pumping station is a lasting legacy to Mariott Ogle Tarbotton.
Rescue Work in No Man's LandRescue Work in No Man's Land
Non-Fiction19181 minsSilent
The heroic dogs trained to aid wounded WWI soldiers caught between the lines.
Australian Troops at the PyramidsAustralian Troops at the Pyramids
Non-Fiction19181 minsSilent
Shades of epic cinema as soldiers roam around the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza
Keep the Home Fires BurningKeep the Home Fires Burning
War191616 minsSilent
Two sisters love the same man - one marries him, but the effects of WWI complicate their relationship
Deliverance of Lille by Haig's MenDeliverance of Lille by Haig's Men
Non-Fiction19182 minsSilent
Bashful British soldiers are mobbed by French citizens after Lille is freed from the Germans in WWI.
London: Air Raid, 1917London: Air Raid, 1917
Non-Fiction19174 minsSilent Location: City of London
Twisted metal, jagged wood and piles of rubble: the devastating aftermath of an air raid in London.
Featured collections
Most Popular Free 2019
Our national fabric has many threads and deep colour. Each year, it gets more vivid and popular…
Watching the Trains Go By
A trackside view: see the railway as witnessed by the passenger, the enthusiast and the amateur cine-camera.
The First World War
From the home front to the front line: life during the “war to end all wars” as seen through the lens of newsreel, propaganda and drama.