Don’t throw your films away; bring them to Home Movie Day!

“Saving our film heritage should not be limited only to commercially produced films. Home movies do not just capture the important private moments of our family’s lives, but they are historical and cultural documents as well. Home Movie Day is a celebration of these films and the people who shot them. I urge anyone with an interest in learning more about how to care for and preserve their own personal memories to join in the festivities being offered in their community…”— Martin Scorsese

This year sees the 23rd anniversary of Home Movie Day and we’ll be celebrating in true archive film style! This event is free, open to the public, and promises a day filled with nostalgia, education, and camaraderie.

Film archivists will take time out of the vaults to help the public enjoy and save their home movies. Home Movie Day shows how home movies on 8mm, Super8, 9.5mm and 16mm offer a unique view of past life in London and of family history.

This year’s theme is the wonderful 8mm film format and you’ll be treated to a special lunchtime screening of all things 8mm.

At 1pm, we’ll be showing treasures from the archive of the Straight 8 film makers’ competition – prepare to be dazzled and amazed by the in-camera editing prowess of the Straight 8 filmmakers.

Straight 8 is the only super 8 cartridge no editing filmmaking competition in the world. Founded by director Ed Sayers in 1999, the challenge is to use the original home movie format to try to make a little piece of cinema. The catch? You can take each shot only once, in story order as there is no opportunity for re-takes, editing or other post-production – even the soundtrack is made blind. This is film making at its most pure; it’s raw and it’s the best way to get the most out of 50 feet of motion picture film, by using every single frame!

Alongside, we’ll have some gems from Acorn Films with selections from the Chingford Newsreels dating from the 1950s – be stunned by how empty the streets are! Based on the style of the classic cinema newsreels of the time such as British Movietone, the Chingford Newsreels were produced (with a few gaps) from 1956 until 2007, capturing a unique local take on the life and times of an outer-London suburb.

To finish, we’ll be showing some home movies from the Mason Family. Brother and sister Sofie and Jocelyn Mason attended Home Movie Day 2024 with their beautiful family films with the hope of finding shots of their father.

It’s a family-friendly event, and everyone is welcome to attend. But remember, you don’t need to bring a film to participate fully in the day’s activities!

Join us on October 25, 2025, from 10.30 to 16.00.

Entry is absolutely free.

To make the day even sweeter, tea and cake will be available for all attendees.