GB 1924 WFA - Workers' Film Association

Identity area

Reference code

GB 1924 WFA

Title

Workers' Film Association

Date(s)

  • 1938-1947 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

11 volumes

Context area

Name of creator

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.

Archival history

GB 1924 WFA 1938-1947 Collection (Fonds) 11 volumes Workers' Film Association
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.

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

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).

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

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

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

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).

Compiled by Alan Kucia as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project. 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. Mar 2002 Adult education Artists Cinema Educational systems Film industry Film makers Film making Films Workers education Workers Film Association

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

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

Content and structure area

Scope and content

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).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

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.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

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

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Trades Union Congress (TUC) Library Collections at London Metropolitan University

Rules and/or conventions used

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.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area