Accessing the collection
Want to watch a film? Use something from the collections? License material? Find out more here
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Welcome
If you want to use or explore the collection please search our catalogues or contact a member of our staff for help.
How Can I Watch A Film?
Online
Around 500 films are available to watch online through our Film and Video Catalogue records, and more are added regularly.
Look out for the clapperboard icon or a link to the BFI Player in your search results.
Sound & Vision Viewing Pods
Drop into Manchester Central Library and use the free Sound & Vision pods on the ground floor where over 1,600 titles are available to view instantly.
The new Sound & Vision pods were opened in October 2023. With refurbished booths, touchscreen technology and an expanded offer, Sound & Vision offers content from the Greater Manchester Country Record Office Sound Archive and the Manchester Voices project, as well as the North West Film Archive. There are now seven pods (two with wheelchair access), and twelve screens in total, with special noise-cancelling headphones tethered behind the seats.
Our Film and Video Catalogue can tell you which films appear in the pods so that you know in advance that they will be available. In the pods themselves, you can explore and browse the films by themes, counties, decades, filmmakers, and other special collections. Or use the easy search facility for more specific subjects, places and years.
By appointment
The Archive holds viewing copies of our collection, on DVD or VHS tape, which can be watched in a dedicated Search Room on the ground floor of Manchester Central Library.
Simply make a note of each film number that you want to see (maximum of 10 titles) and send the list to us with an idea of when you’d like to come in to see them.
If none of these options are possible then please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Using the Collections
Using the Collections
We welcome users from the public, higher education and commercial sectors and offer a wide range of services for each of them.
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Public
As a member of the public, including local groups, you can use the collection for research as well as to view and borrow items. That can be for family history research, events in your community or just to explore the region’s past on film. We also come out to your area and present film shows for you to enjoy.
Schools and colleges also find our collection great to use, both in the classroom and also in less formal settings, so get in touch if that sounds like what you need.
We also supply libraries, museums and galleries with films for use in displays and for events.
There are some fees for some of these services, but we’re happy to talk these through with you.
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Higher Education
The Archive supports teaching and research across a range of disciplines and Manchester Met staff and students have priority access for viewings and loans of materials.
If you’re at another university you can also access the collection for your teaching and studies, although modest fees apply for some services.
Get in touch with us to find out more.
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Commercial
For over 40 years the Archive has provided footage to television companies and film makers in the UK and around the world. From local news reports for the BBC and Granada TV to major documentary series, we’re happy to get involved in your project. This may even be a locally-distributed DVD or other small-scale non-broadcast project.
View our rate card and get in touch to discuss your requirements.
