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Monthly Film Bulletin June 1949

Page history last edited by FilmSociety@gmail.com 8 years, 10 months ago

NEW ZEALAND FILM INSTITUTE - ANNUAL CONFERENCE


The Council of the New Zealand Film Institute (NZFI) held its second annual conference in Dunedin in February of this year. The Dunedin Film Society were hosts to a number of delegates representing film societies as far apart as Auckland and Invercargill. The conference was opened by the Mayor of Dunedin, Sir Donald Cameron, at a social and film evening arranged by the Dunedin Film Society. During the next two days, the assembled delegates met, discussed, wrangled and decided on the future policy and organisation of the Institute.


In his report to our Executive, the Wellington Film Society's delegate, Mr. A.S. Hely, had this to say about the general aspects the conference:-
"The results of the deliberations of the Conference may be regarded with satisfaction by the Wellington Film Society. The wide range of problems of interest to member film societies considered by the delegates, the high degree of unanimity reached on questions of general policy, the increasing influence of the Institute expressed in the expanding activities of the Working Committee ... the interest of the National Film Library in the work of the Council and the ready co-operation of its Director and staff indicated by the attendance or Mr. R.L.Hayes at the conference and his report on liaison between the Film Library and the Institute, all tended to emphasise the stability of the Institute as a public organisation and the steady growth of its influence in moulding social opinion in matters relating to the educational and cultural aspects of the film. While this evidence of the Council's growing strength must be encouraging to the majority of member societies it must be a matter of particular gratification to the Wellington Film Society which has probably made one of the greatest contributions to the firm establishment of a strong national organisation (often at considerable sacrifice to its own immediate local interests). Such pleasure must be increased by the realisation that the Society's views, as expressed through the actions of the Executive, as to the policy and nature of the NZFI are being accepted and supported by the majority of the larger societies (with perhaps the exception of Christchurch) and in addition by an increasing number of smaller societies."


In his address to the Council, the retiring President emphasised the fact that in his opinion more attention should be given to the study of the film as an art form and as an entertainment, and the preservation of high standards in the cinema. The instant response throughout New Zealand to the formation of film societies was, he thought, convincing proof of the need for such organisations, and so far the societies had provided reasonably well for the needs of their members by giving them the opportunity to see films not otherwise available in the commercial theatres - early films of known merit, modern documentaries and others.


Mr. Scrivener paid some attention to the relations of the Institute with the commercial cinema interests. One of the most important functions of the Institute, he considered, was to foster a demand for good films. If there was such a demand, he had no doubt about the theatres being prepared to screen better and better pictures. It should be the Institute's policy not so much to deride films which did not appeal to members, as to persuade cinema-goers that some effort in appreciation might increase their own satisfaction and enjoyment.


In conclusion, the President referred to the peculiar nature of film societies and the way in which they differed from art, dramatic and musical societies. Film societies were concerned almost solely with the passive reception of other people's productions. He thought a possible, if somewhat difficult, development might be the encouragement of film-making, an activity at present confined to the many cineclubs throughout the country.


The policy and objectives of the Institute were discussed by the Council at some length in connection with a remit recommending that films should not in future be purchased from overseas by the Institute, but hired from commercial firms. The motion embodying this remit was defeated and there was general agreement among the majority of delegates that while the Working Committee should examine every possible source of film supply, including the hiring of films from commercial firms, it was important that the Institute should also continue its policy of purchasing copies of significant films in order that a repository of such films might be established in New Zealand.

 

The Working Committee report presented at the Conference revealed that the Institute was acting as a co-ordinating agent for film societies and groups in over 25 different cities and towns. It was estimated that the total membership of these groups associated with the Institute would be in the vicinity of 2,000. Mention was also made in the report of the following films ordered from England which were expected to arrive in New Zealand at intervals throughout the year:-
Critic and Film Series I (an analysis of Great Expectitions)

Critic and Film Series II (an analysis of The Overlanders)
Critic and Film Series III (an analysis of Odd Man Out)
The Seashell and the Clergyman

The Earth Sings
Rain (directed by Joris Ivens)
Menilmontant
Edwardian Newsreel


The Council made no radical changes in the constitution or policy of the Institute. A resume of some decisions reached may, however be of some interest:-
The NZFI is to investigate methods of censoring films in N.Z.

The Council decided that the Working Committee be authorised to prepare for the approval of affiliated societies a scheme to rectify any weaknesses in the existing machinery of censorship.
The Working Committee was requested to explore with the University authorities, the National Council for Adult Education and the Fullbright Act Commission a scheme whereby overseas lecturers on films may visit New Zealand.
Societies which have purchased films in the past were requested to transfer the ownership of such films to the NZFI.
Societies were recommended to examine the possibility of forming small regional sub-committees in each of the four University College districts, such sub-committees to examine methods of liaison with the Regional Councils of Adult Education.
The 1950 Conference of the Council of the Institute is to be held in Auckland;
Subscriptions for affiliated societies for 1949 were fixed at 5/- per member of each society;
The Working Committee were given power to lend films and to accept contributions on a special scale from film societies not wishing to become affiliated.


In the election of officers, Mr. J.C.Reid of Auckland was appointed President. Mr. F.L.C.Scrivener of Dunedin, the retiring President, became Vice-President. Mr. J.D. O'Shea of Wellington was re-elected Chairman of the Working Committee.

 

 

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