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 War Memorial Film
The Australian War Memorial holds a vast and historic collection of film and video, covering most of the conflicts in which Australia has been involved. [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]
Outback on Screen
NFSA Historian Graham Shirley traces the rich diversity of Australian cinematic representations and interpretations of the outback. [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]
Menzies Home Movies
The Menzies Home Movie Collection includes approximately 35 films of varying duration. It provides a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of an Australian Prime Minister. [read more]
Roads and Traffic Authority
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) Collection spans approximately 50 years and contains over 75 films publicising safety issues, recording developments in traffic engineering and documenting the building of roads and bridges. [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]
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 1: The Silent Era
Part one in Paul Byrnes’ series on comedy in Australian film looks at the silent filmmaking era. [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]
Australasian Gazette
The Australasian Gazette newsreels held at the National Film and Sound Archive span over three decades and capture a diverse range of subjects including political and national events, sport and entertainment. [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]
A Short History of Indigenous Filmmaking
After almost a century of silence as a creative voice in screen culture, Indigenous filmmakers have, within a generation, become a vibrant presence in the centre of filmmaking in Australia. Liz McNiven explores the short but significant move from being in front of to behind the camera. [read more]
Cadbury Chocolate Advertisements
This selection of television advertisements features the Cadbury Milk Tray, Roses and Crunchie range of chocolates. [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]
Cinesound Movietone Australian Newsreels
The Cinesound Movietone Australian Newsreel Collection held at the National Film and Sound Archive comprises 4,000 newsreels from 1929 to 1975. [read more]
General Motors Holden
This is a collection of black-and-white and colour cinema and television advertisements produced for General Motors Holden from 1948 through to the mid 1970s. [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]
