Northern Region Film and Television Archive

The NRFTA is a public sector moving image archive for the North East of England. We exist to collect, preserve and provide access to film, television and other moving image material related to the history & heritage of the North East of England, which is defined as the Tees Valley area, County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.

The archive’s three large, environmentally controlled vaults contain around 36,000 hours of film and video material. We continue to collect moving image material of regional significance so the collection is constantly growing.

The archive team includes film archivists, cataloguers, volunteers and highly skilled technicians whose job it is to ensure the highest standards in collections care, preservation and film repair. Staff members are also responsible for the commercial use of films, such as identifying and preparing content for public broadcasting, where copyright allows.

The NRFTA’s cataloguing and digitisation programme aims to increase public access and awareness to moving image material. Researchers, students and members of the public can view and use the collections to support studies and community events. We also reach our largest audience through TV broadcasting by licensing footage to programme makers. We also host film shows throughout the region which showcase some of the highlights of the collections we hold here. Find out more about NRFTA’s public screening events near you by visiting our events page.

The NRFTA is a member of UK Film Archive Forum.