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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
CursiveCursive
Drama202310 mins
Insecure about her writing, Dot takes some lessons that give her the courage to say goodbye.
St Patrick's Day Pilgrimage Downpatrick (1959)St Patrick's Day Pilgrimage Downpatrick (1959)
Ceremony19593 minsSilent Location: Downpatrick
A flock of pilgrims follow in the steps of St Patrick from his first church in Saul to his final resting place in Down Cathedral
I'll Tell You When I'm ReadyI'll Tell You When I'm Ready
202413 mins
I'll Tell You When I'm Ready follows the personal story of jaye simpson
The First KissThe First Kiss
Drama202315 mins
Today is a special day for Andi – he’s going to Madrid for a date with a boy he met online.
Seamus Heaney, A Sense of IrelandSeamus Heaney, A Sense of Ireland
News19806 mins Location: Belfast
Seamus Heaney on how writers help give a nation its sense of self
Cab RideCab Ride
202312 mins
Two queer lovers bolt out of a house party, into a waiting cab where they have one eventful journey to figure out whether they are truly a match.
Walsall MarketWalsall Market
News19736 mins Location: Walsall
The sights and sounds of Walsall Market
Turn-Up for TonyTurn-Up for Tony
Comedy196829 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A Tyne Tees Television comedy romance is a forgotten gem from a 1960s decade of radical urban change in Newcastle.
Llanddwyn IslandLlanddwyn Island
Home movie19558 minsSilent Location: Llanddwyn Island/Ynys Llanddwyn
Sea pinks and samphire, lighthouses and church ruins – Llanddwyn’s charms are many and varied.
The Body BeautifulThe Body Beautiful
Animation & Artists Moving Image199024 mins
Autobiographical account of a mother-daughter relationship, exploring beauty standards and female sexuality.
A Dog Called DiscordA Dog Called Discord
Documentary202323 mins
BAFTA-winning director Mark Jenkin (BAIT, Enys Men) explores his fascination with the magic of film.
The Finishing LineThe Finishing Line
Instructional film/TV programme197721 mins
In this surrealist short, John Krish and Michael Gilmour tell a perilous tale at the railway station. Mind the gap - this is going to get scary.
The VolunteerThe Volunteer
War194442 mins Location: Denham
Entertaining and evocative Fleet Air Arm drama-doc propaganda piece, written and directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Return to the Edge of the WorldReturn to the Edge of the World
Documentary197824 mins Location: Shetland Islands
Michael Powell makes a moving return trip to the remote island of Foula, forty years after he shot his first major feature there.
An Airman's Letter to His MotherAn Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary19416 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
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
Training film/TV programme200218 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.
The British Way of HealthThe British Way of Health
Documentary197327 mins Location: London
A portrayal of the NHS which shows off the “marvellous” system to audiences around the world.
Organ Donor Card: Organ BoxOrgan Donor Card: Organ Box
19931 mins
An urgently filmed appeal for organ donation.
You and Your HealthYou and Your Health
Documentary197922 mins
The Community Health Council of Wales blows its own trumpet in myriad ways, including animation, to draw attention to their NHS advisory service.
Five Guineas a WeekFive Guineas a Week
Musical195633 mins
1950s song and dance revue set in a colourful world of boarding houses and coffee bars
Devil's RockDevil's Rock
Musical193851 mins Location: Bangor
Will new open-air microphone technology give Richard Hayward the chance to silence his critics? Watch as Cushendun and Bangor steal the show.
Co-operetteCo-operette
Advert193815 mins
See silly slapstick, music, mayhem and a daffy dance-off between a carrot and an onion in this lively colour film advertising Co-op stores.
Bob in the PoundBob in the Pound
Advert19432 minsSilent
Fun-filled singalong savings ad with a dangerously catchy theme tune.
Sweethearts ForeverSweethearts Forever
Musical194534 mins
Feast your eyes on a bewildering barrage of forgotten British variety turns in this strange low-budget novelty short from 1945.
CabaretCabaret
Musical194510 mins
Set during rehearsals for a cabaret show, this short film features singer Rosalind Melville.
Featured collections
Five Films For Freedom
Five short films available for free online throughout BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, in partnership with the British Council.
Black Britain on Film
Striking, illuminating and sometimes surprising images of black culture, community and characters, spanning over a century of British film and TV.
#GenerationNow
Specially selected from the BFI Flare short film programme, the #GenerationNow films explore what it means to be a young adult in the world today, showcasing some of the brightest emerging LGBTQIA+ filmmakers.