Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free

The Circus Comes To Town
Where can you see dogs on horseback, poodles skipping and elephants carrying women in their mouths? Watch this film to find out.
From the collection of:

Overview
Marvel at the wondrous sights and frights of the circus with J.W. Stirling. Chipperfield's Circus is part of a celebrated British show family whose origins can be traced back to 1684. See the circus dynasty at its post-WWII peak, as one of the biggest circuses in Europe. Whilst the entertainment on display - not least Jacko the stilt-walking chimp - is astounding, perhaps the most remarkable sight is the exotic procession of elephants through the streets of Derry and across.
In the latter half of the 20th Century, Jimmy Chipperfield broke away from the family business and applied his skills as an animal trainer in other areas. One of his new ventures was the setting-up of drive-through safari parks, such as those at Longleat and Woburn Abbey. Along with his daughter, Mary, he also trained and supplied animals for film productions. This diversification of the family business coincided with a decline in interest in the touring circus. Since the 1980s, shows by Chipperfield's Circus have been a rarity and no longer feature animals. This film was created by the Scottish amateur film maker during his time in Derry. It comes from the collection of National Museums Northern Ireland.
Related

The Open Door The Open Door
Documentary 21 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Witness the changing face of psychiatric care in this hospital sponsored public information film

The Man From A.U.N.T. The Man From A.U.N.T.
Comedy 1965 5 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Who is this mysterious man causing chaos in the city of a 1000 rumours? Watch tonight’s feature from Alfred Hiccup to discover Derry’s hidden world.

The Mayor's Parade The Mayor's Parade
Sponsored film 1976 10 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Watch Anthony and Cleopatra make a triumphant entry in the Mayor’s Parade. What will impress the judges more, good behaviour or a good float?

Nebelung Nebelung
Drama 1978 10 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
A Derry classroom becomes an unlikely setting for this uncanny experimental film by Terence McDonald and Gerry Wills

The Fugitive The Fugitive
Comedy 1966 5 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
There is a baby and a bandit loose in the streets of Derry, but which one is the fugitive, the robber or the runaway pram?

Zwischen Zwischen
Drama 1970 7 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Between us is truth, let there be truth between us

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.

Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.

All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.

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.

Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.

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.