18 collections
Agricultural shows
It’s carnival time! Joanne Scott explores the world of agricultural shows on film. [read more]
Reality Comedy
TV curator Kate Matthews looks at the postmodern blending that has created a genre mashup loosely referred to as ‘reality comedy’ in Australian television. [read more]
Reality and TV Crime
Australian audiences have demonstrated an enduring fascination with stories of ‘true crime’. TV curator Kate Matthews explores the relationship that Australian crime and police shows have had with reality over the years. [read more]
Marvellous Corricks
The Corrick family were vaudeville-style entertainers who toured Australia, New Zealand, and the world in the early 1900s. [read more]
The Depression
The Depression was worse for Australia than many other countries. Paul Byrnes wonders if that explains its treatment on Australian screens. [read more]
Australian Ethnographic Film
Michael Leigh surveys the long history of ethnographic filmmaking in this country and the representation of Indigenous Australians on film. Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this page may contain images of deceased persons. [read more]
Horror in Australian Cinema
While vampires and zombies thrilled audiences in the Northern hemisphere, Australia’s idea of a horror scenario lay somewhere in the vast centre of the continent. [read more]
AWM Western Front
Paul Byrnes argues that the surviving First World War footage held by the Australian War Memorial of Australians at the Western Front is worthy of more serious regard. [read more]
Sounds of Australia
Sounds of Australia is the NFSA’s annual capsule of iconic audio moments, honouring recordings which have resonated deeply with communities and audiences across the country. [read more]
State Archives and Records Authority of New South Wales
Liz McNiven looks at the community service announcements made by the New South Wales government to promote public health, agricultural education and road safety. [read more]
Surfing
From lifesaving to 'soul surfing’: Paul Byrnes tracks the history of surfing and surf movies in Australia. [read more]
Gallipoli on Film
The legend of Gallipoli formed quickly in Australian hearts, based on the report of a man who wasn’t quite there. Australian feature film companies re-created the landings of 25 April 1915 on film, and that footage is still often presented as real. Paul Byrnes untangles the mythology of Gallipoli on film. [read more]
Australian Comedy Part 2: The Early Sound Era
Part two in Paul Byrnes’ series on comedy in Australian film covers the early sound era. [read more]
Australian Comedy Part 3: 1950s–1980s
Part three in Paul Byrnes’ series on comedy in Australian film covers the 1950s through to the 1980s. [read more]
Prisons on Film
Paul Byrnes examines the history of Australian penal cinema, from prison ships to detention centres. [read more]
Outback on Screen
NFSA Historian Graham Shirley traces the rich diversity of Australian cinematic representations and interpretations of the outback. [read more]
Shell Company of Australia
The Shell collection comprises a range of audiovisual material sponsored by the Shell Company of Australia or made by the Shell Film Unit over a 90-year involvement with film and video production. [read more]
