Workers' Film Association

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 1924 WFA
Held at	: Trades Union Congress (TUC) Library Collections at London Metropolitan University   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://student.londonmet.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/special-collections/trades-union-congress-library-collections/ ›
Full title	: Workers' Film Association
Date(s)	: 1938-1947
Level of description	: Collection (Fonds)
Extent	: 11 volumes
Name of creator(s)	: Workers' Film Association

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

By the mid 1930s there was a general interest throughout the labour movement in film propaganda. A Joint Film Committee from the Labour Party, the TUC and the Co-operative Movement first met in January 1938. The Committee recommended the establishment of a joint film organization, to be known as the Workers' Film Association (WFA). Joseph Reeves was appointed Secretary-Organizer, and the organization seems to have started its operations in October 1938. At an early stage contacts were made with Labour organizations, and the WFA decided to assist the Labour Party with election propaganda. A free film service was to be provided to marginal constituencies, together with short films of the party leaders. The Association developed an extensive library and distribution service, films were produced, distributed and exhibited, and film equipment was sold. During World War Two, the activities of the Association continued, but were were seriously curtailed. In 1946 the Association merged with the Co-Operative Movement's National Film Service, to form the National Film Association.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Financial records of the Workers' Film Association, 1938-1947, comprising: Purchases Journal/Day Books (outgoings), 1941-1946; Sales Journals, 1941-1946; Cash Books (Incomings and Outgoings), 1938-1947; Petty Cash summary, 1941-1946; Sundries Ledger, 1941-1946 (accounts with suppliers and creditors).

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Open to bona fide researchers at the discretion of the TUC Librarian.

Conditions governing reproduction:

At the discretion of the TUC Librarian and subject to copyright conditions.

Finding aids:

List, copy at the National Register of Archives, Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were transferred to the TUC Library Collections in the University of North London by the TUC in January 1998.

Allied Materials

Related material:

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

The British Labour Movement and Film, 1918-1939 by Stepeh G Jones (Routledge & Kegan Paul, London 1987); Deadly Parallels: Film and the Left in Britain, 1929-1939 by Bert Hogenkamp (Lawrence & Wishart, London, 1896).

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000 and National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Mar 2002