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
Jigsaw Factory
Take a tour of Portrush's puzzle factory and get a glimpse of the coastal town's architectural icons
From the collection of:
Overview
A puzzle draws you into its world and makes you forget about the daily problems and your mudane routine. The film shows the skill with which the factory workers of Portrush manufacture the jigsaw pieces which eventually end up in many homes. Printing, cutting, packaging - every step of the production process requiring concentration, attention to detail and firm hands. As we can see, this factory employed the ‘stack cutting technique’ to speed up the manufacturing process.
The footage also features the Arcadia Cafe, built in the 1920s by local businessman, RA Chalmers. Originally designed as a café, it opened its ballroom in 1953, becoming a successful entertainment venue. Regularly visited by musicians such as The Dave Glover Band, The Arcadia also hosted The Stranglers, The Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, Ian Dury and The Blockheads. Although the building almost got demolished, Portrush residents rallied round this iconic landmark, achieving its restoration in the early 2000s. These news rushes are courtesy of the UTV Archive.
Related
Watch for free
Family Festival Family Festival
Sponsored film 1951 27 mins Silent Location: Belfast
From Modernist designs inspired by the atomic age to paddling pool picnics, find delight in this silent selection from the Festival of Britain
Watch for free
The Secret The Secret
Drama 1973 24 mins Location: Portrush
What is the great secret carried by the stranger who emerged through the fog and what will it take to make him part with it?
Watch for free
Curragh to Iona Curragh to Iona
Documentary 1963 24 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Join a fearless crew on a spiritual maritime adventure from the shores of Derry to Iona.
Watch for free
Morris Dancing in Portrush Morris Dancing in Portrush
News 1977 9 mins Location: Portrush
Here’s to the handkerchiefs, here’s to the shoes and here’s to the bonny green garters…
Watch for free
A Day out in Portrush A Day out in Portrush
Home movie 1979 4 mins Silent Location: Portrush
Take a trip to the beach and find out what unexpected exotic animals are living on the north coast.
Watch for free
Highways of Ulster Highways of Ulster
Sponsored film 1950 22 mins Location: Port of Belfast
Hop on board and explore Ulster. The is plenty to to feast your eyes on both sides of the border but "nothing too strenuous", on this entertaining coach tour.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.