BFI National Archive 90th anniversary party in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, on 23 April, the UK’s Consul General Paul Rennie OBE graciously opened the doors of the British Residence for a landmark event in partnership with BFI America, celebrating the 90th anniversary of the BFI National Archive and the launch of BFI America, formerly known as the Friends of the BFI.
This special event, co-hosted by BFI Governors Scott Stuber and Laura Miele, alongside BFI America Board Directors Penelope Wong and Dr. Mali Heled Kinberg, brought together a distinguished crowd of industry professionals, archive partners, BFI America supporters and film lovers.
The BFI’s Chief Executive Ben Roberts, Executive Director of Knowledge, Learning and Collections Arike Oke, and Head of Conservation Kieron Webb engaged with an enthusiastic American audience around the power of storytelling and the importance of screen archives in safeguarding the past, present and future of film and the moving image.
The event generated palpable enthusiasm for BFI America’s mission to support the BFI’s global efforts to preserve, promote, and champion moving image as a vital part of a culture and shared heritage.
– Sabrine Dao, Philanthropy Coordinator (International Giving)
BFI National Archive at the TCM Classic Film Festival
Following the event at the British Consul-General’s residence, the BFI was also proud to present a series of events at the 16th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival.
Acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro joined our CEO Ben Roberts for a special Club TCM event, discussing the big discoveries, important restorations, and precious rarities reflected in the BFI National Archive’s rich 90-year history.
We also showcased six classic films from the BFI National Archive’s collection, including Edge of the City (Dir. Martin Ritt, 1957), Mildred Pierce (Dir. Michael Curtiz, 1945) – on nitrate! – and Jaws (Dir. Steven Spielberg, 1975), which screened on a pristine original British release dye-transfer Technicolor print. Marking its 50th anniversary, the latter was introduced by Roberts and featured an interview with actress Lorraine Gary.
Other screenings at the festival included a 35mm print of the archive’s 2008 restoration of Blithe Spirit (Dir. David Lean, 1945), the premiere of a new 35mm print of To Be or Not Be (Dir. Ernst Lubitsch, 1942), and the premiere of a brand new BFI National Archive restoration of The Private Life of Henry VIII (Dir. Alexander Korda, 1933), also presented on 35mm and introduced by Head of Conservation Kieron Webb.
– Alex Prideaux, Marketing Manager (Our Screen Heritage)
TCM screenings of BFI National Archive restorations
In addition to screenings at the festival, TCM will continue its ‘Salute to the BFI’ this June with two nights of classic British films on the TCM channel in the US.
Drawn from titles restored or remastered by the BFI National Archive, each screening will feature a newly filmed introduction by BFI Executive Director of Knowledge, Collections and Learning, Arike Oke in conversation with TCM host Alicia Malone.
On 10 June, TCM will present Piccadilly (Dir. E.A. Dupont, 1929), The Private Life of Henry VIII (Dir. Alexander Korda, 1933) and Gaslight (Dir. Thorold Dickinson, 1940), whilst, on 17 June, screenings will include I Know Where I’m Going! (Dir. Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 1945), Naked (Dir. Mike Leigh, 1993) and Women in Love (Dir. Ken Russell, 1969).
– Alex Prideaux, Marketing Manager (Our Screen Heritage)
The Inside the Archive blog is supported by the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.
