Channel 4 to help build Northern Ireland film archive

Channel 4 and the Northern Ireland Film Commission (NIFC) have joined forces to collate the modern history of Northern Ireland in a digital film archive.
Channel 4 are assisting the Northern Ireland Film Commission in Belfast to develop a unique archive containing film and television footage from major events filmed in Northern Ireland over the last 100 years. The archive, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is a not-for-profit public educational service.
Channel 4, in partnership with independent production companies, have agreed to return rights on a range of programmes as part of their public service commitment to Britain’s creative cities. Programmes, which have been donated by Channel 4 to the archive, cover a range of topics from Northern Ireland’s political troubles to a documentary on the country’s footballing legend, George Best. The archive also contains footage of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in Belfast, the Titanic, locally produced drama and amateur film footage.
Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Film Commission, Richard Taylor (Pictured), said: “We are delighted that Channel 4 has made this important addition to our digital archive. The archive is a valuable tool for researchers as well as teachers and anyone looking at the last 100 years of film and television in Northern Ireland.”
Channel 4’s Head of Programmes, Nations and Regions, Stuart Cosgrove, said: “We are very proud to announce such a unique partnership with the Film Commission by donating rights on a range of programmes of great historical significance, but which might not otherwise see the light of day. The archive will be immensely beneficial to Northern Ireland’s cultural and educational communities. This is one way in which Channel 4 can demonstrate our public service commitment.”
(GB)