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
Newcastle Festival 1971
An upbeat parade of funky trade floats hits the street to launch the Newcastle Festival in 1971.
From the collection of:
Overview
Newcastle upon Tyne kicks up its vinyl knee-length boots, pulls on the pink hot pants and saddles up the Lord Mayor’s coach in the early 1970s for a grand parade to launch the city’s annual festival of culture. Local Tyneside personalities (note the big Jackie O bug eye sunglasses) stand by to judge the colourful trade floats that promote everything from Tudor crisps and Vaux Breweries to a trendy ‘Miss Nightclub of Great Britain’ beauty contest.
It’s a decade that people vividly remember for the power cuts and strikes but this Newcastle Festival parade held in October 1971 circles the city with branded optimism. Historic Promotions win first prize for their float, their spokesman declaring with the same city swagger ‘What are we, Geordies? We are the North’s chosen people.’ The film was commissioned by the Tyneside Junior Chamber of Commerce and produced by the skilled amateurs of the Newcastle and District Amateur Cinematographers Association (ACA), one of the earliest cine clubs in Britain, founded in 1927. The festival director from 1969 to 1971 was Michael Emmerson, who founded the Belfast Festival back in 1964.
Related
Watch for free
Knebworth Pop Festival Knebworth Pop Festival
News 1976 5 mins Location: Knebworth Ho
Free food' and 'free religion' is the mantra of some festival goers ahead of the Rolling Stones' appearance at Knebworth. And for the local publican, it's big business!
Watch for free
The Sidmouth Folk Festival The Sidmouth Folk Festival
Current affairs 1970 7 mins Location: Sidmouth
International folk bands and troupes put on an act at Sidmouth
Watch for free
Aldeburgh Festival Aldeburgh Festival
News 1963 13 mins Location: Aldeburgh
By 1963, Suffolk's Aldeburgh Festival was very much on the world music map but the annual invasion of 'foreigners' didn't go down well with all the locals.
Watch for free
Rave Rave
Documentary 1997 12 mins
Partying like it's 1997. We follow a rave DJ instigator rigging up decks in abandoned warehouses, a nosebleed 'techno tourist' who chases the hardcore around Europe and a girl addicted to... partying.
Watch for free
Frank at 'Cities in the Park' Frank at 'Cities in the Park'
Amateur film 1991 4 mins Silent Location: Heaton Park
Sunday in the park with Frank Sidebottom and the Manchester music mob.
Watch for free
Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival
Amateur film 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Music, dancing and community characterise this short film from Notting Hill Carnival, 1976.
Watch for free
The Big Country The Big Country
Promotional 1970 16 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Tuning into the biggest consumer market for television advertising in Britain with Trident TV.
Watch for free
Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1964 11 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Is comedian Clive Dunn the Don Draper of the British advertising world? Watch this imaginative Tyne Tees TV marketing film and decide.
Watch for free
Andrews Liver Salts: Little Andy Andrews Liver Salts: Little Andy
Advert 1957 1 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Little Andy takes the speedy way to sparkling good health in a zippy 50s cartoon advertisement for Andrews Liver Salts.
Watch for free
Military Sunday in Newcastle Military Sunday in Newcastle
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A marching band leads the parades with the Boer War still raging
Watch for free
Town Moor Fair Scenes Town Moor Fair Scenes
Non-Fiction 1898 1 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
All the fun of the fair in this Victorian film, made in the early years of Newcastle's famous Hoppings
Watch for free
Percy Hedley School Percy Hedley School
News 1970 17 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Being wheelchair users is not a barrier to these children doing slaloms or throwing javelins, gaining confidence and changing perceptions.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.