As the Centenary commemorations in 2014 approaches, the Yorkshire Film Archive (YFA) is delighted to announce it has received £52,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an important new project, Filmed and Not Forgotten, that will enable it vital preservation work to its film collections relating to the First World War and discover the forgotten stories of the people it has captured.

Filmed and Not Forgotten will research and discover the stories of the people on films almost one hundred years ago – who was that sergeant waving at the camera as he marched over Lendal Bridge in York; what happened at the sports day in Scarborough when the regiments stationed there came together with the community for a day of fun away from the front line? All of these films, and the stories of the people in the films, will be brought together in screenings, and as an online exhibition so that everyone can see and learn about the impact of First World War on communities across our region.

Commenting on the award, Sue Howard, Director of YFA, said “This is a hugely important project for all of us. As we approach the centenary commemorations of the First World War, our thoughts will turn to the soldiers, their families and the communities across our region, and how they all experienced the impact of the war. Some of those very troops, families, and communities were captured on film, so what better way to mark the Centenary than by researching and telling their stories through our Filmed and Not Forgotten project.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said “The First World War affected all corners of the UK and impacted different communities across Yorkshire. As the commemorations of this significant world event approaches it is critical that we reflect on and open up our valuable archive resources allowing these important stories to be discovered and retold. Filmed and Not Forgotten will help investigate and bring to life the local stories from the First World War.”

The Yorkshire Film Archive is a registered charity that finds, preserves and shows the moving image heritage of both Yorkshire and the North East of England, and has collections of over 50,000 titles. YFA is committed to providing access to its collections, so that as many people as possible to see and enjoy the collections, and it has an ongoing programme of regional screenings and exhibitions, as well as providing over 75 hours of moving image content free to view online.

YFA is advertising a part-time post to deliver this project, and you can find out more information by visiting the YFA website.

Notes to editors

The Yorkshire Film Archive is a registered charity which finds, preserves and provides public access to moving image made in or about the Yorkshire region. YFA also manages the collections held by the North East Film Archive (NEFA), as part of its charitable remit.

Its growing collections currently contain over 50,000 titles – 17,000 held by YFA, and 33,000 held by NEFA - ranging from films made by the early film pioneers of the late 1890s, to recent footage of changing landscapes and life across both regions.

HLF-funded First World War projects include:

First World War Centenary Project, IWM London
An HLF grant of £4.5m is transforming IWM London (part of Imperial War Museums) by creating new ground-breaking First World War Galleries.

Flintham Society – Keeping the Home Fires Burning?
Keep the Homes Fires Burning? is a community history project looking at the impact of the First World War on life in the Nottinghamshire village of Flintham.

Tank Museum – Access all Areas, Dorset
Holding the world’s finest tank and armoured vehicle collection, the Tank Museum is a popular visitor attraction in the heart of Dorset. HLF's grant is being used to house 130 at risk vehicles, putting the entire collection indoors for the first time.

Through its First World War: then and now programme, HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

To find out how to apply for funding visit our First World War feature.

UK Government Centenary plans
In June 2013, the Government set out its plans to mark the centenaries of the First World War commencing in 2014. These plans include a £35m refurbishment of the First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum (IWM). The Government’s principal partners in the commemorations will be the Heritage Lottery Fund and the IWM, but will encompass support for a multitude of other initiatives, large and small, as they come together in the months and years to come.

Further information

Yorkshire Film Archive: Sue Howard, Director, on 01904 876 550, email: s.howard@yorksj.ac.uk.