The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
A Summer's Day
A skinny dip on the north east coast leads to romance and footsie on the beach.
From the collection of:
Overview
A man risks a nude swim in the oh-so bracing North Sea and makes a big splash with his flirtatious rescuer. This sweet comic short was shot by gifted amateur filmmaker Keith Venn, who spent a life time working for the independent photographic store Bonsers in Bigg Market, Newcastle, which no doubt contributed to his excellent camera skills.
This film is part of a unique and eclectic collection, which dates back to the pioneering early decades of amateur cinematography. Back in 1927, James Cameron gathered together a group of men and women (four of each) interested in making moving pictures. They formed the Newcastle branch of the Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA), one of only five in Britain at the time, and still operating in the city today. Keith Venn was a later member who was awarded an Institute of Amateur Cinematographers (IAC) Master Movie Maker Fellowship (FACI) in the 1970s. He also directed and wrote the drama 0900 (featured on BFI Player), which won a gold star in Amateur Cine World's 1967 'Ten Best' competition.
Related
Fishing Tale Fishing Tale
Amateur film 1953 12 mins Silent Location: Northumberland
Comedy catch of the day: cod-acting in a fishy tale with the Nouveau-Château cine club.
Britain, Kingdom of the Seas Britain, Kingdom of the Seas
1981 29 mins Location: Devon
Conservationists stand guard as the National Trust and National Trust for Scotland keep a vigilant watch on the UK’s coastline
The House with the Golden Windows The House with the Golden Windows
Amateur film 1946 7 mins Silent Location: Northumberland
There’s no place like home … a beautiful Kodachrome tale of a childhood quest.
The Puncture The Puncture
Comedy 1965 5 mins Location: Northumberland
Gender relations take a turn for the worse on a country road in the North East.
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.