The New Zealand Film Institute was founded in February 1947, when it was realized the Film Societies then operating in New Zealand and importing and hiring films individually would be better served by pooling their films and resources. Since then, all importing of films for societies was arranged by the Institute, the separate societies thus spared the labour and frustration connected with such work.
When the New Zealand Film Institute was established there were only five Film Societies requiring their services. By the early 1960s, with many fluctuations, the number of affiliated societies grew to over 50. Listed from north to south, here are the societies that were operating in 1960: Kaikohe, Mangawhai, Wellsford, Helensville, Paremoremo, North Shore, Auckland, Kelston, Ardmore, Waiuku, Coromandel, Thames, Waihi, Hamilton, Te Mata, Putaruru, Mangakino, Te Puke, Rotorua, Te Kaha, Kaingaroa Forest, Taumarunui, Raetihi, New Plymouth, Eltham, Hawera, Patea, Gisborne, Ngatapa, Napier, Taradale, Palmerston North, Linton Camp, Pahiatua, Levin, Upper Hutt, Pinehaven, Lower Hutt, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Mapua, Motueka, Greymouth, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Lake Tekapo, Otago University, Dunedin, Lawrence.
At the Annual Conference of the Institute in Wellington in January 1962, the New Zealand Film Institute changed its name to the New Zealand Federation of Film Societies Inc. This new name more correctly described its functions.
The original name was probably suggested by the British Film Institute, a body with much wider functions. It controls the National Film Theatre in London, cares for the National Film Archive, published two magazine on films and one on television, as well as distributing films.
The New Zealand body would have pursued similar activities if its funds allowed, but the day that it could do so appeared (in 1962) to be in the remote future. The Institute's stationery had carried the sub-title "The Federation of Film Societies throughout New Zealand" so the newly adopted name was a recognition of the fact that this was its principal function. But the objects stated in its new rules were wide enough to permit the other activities should they ever become financially possible.
.
Page Information
|
Wiki Information |
Recent PBwiki Blog Posts |
Create your own free wiki!