SCH SOC FILM

Reference code

SCH SOC FILM

Title

Film Society

Level

Series

Administrative / Biographical history

Founded in 1931 by George Snow, the first meeting was 3 October 1931. It was the 5th Film Society to exist in Great Britain. The primary object of the society was to collect and show films which would otherwise be inaccessible to its members. The first sound film was shown in 1933.

In 1938, the Eton College Film Unit was established under Oliver Van Oss, with the first showing on 31 March 1939. The Second World War disrupted the unit, due to lack of celluloid, but in 1955 it was revived under Giles St Aubyn. Proceeds from the showing of films in School Hall went towards the purchase of equipment, and it was very successful, winning a number of awards. A serious fire destroyed the equipment and records, but the unit continued on.

In January 2018, the Film Unit was revived with 15 members, under the supervision of Robert Belok, Filmmaker-in-Residence.