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DOCUMENTARY FILM SINCE 1 939
work was begun in Britain before the war, and widely extended later by the Ministry of Information through the creation of the Central Film Library — today the biggest free film lending library of its kind — and of regional film offices. In the U.S.A. a large and effective distribution machine was built up by the Office of War Information, but it was an ad hoc organisation and passed with the war. But it is Canada which has developed the system to its fullest. Central organisation is necessary to give direction and to ensure a steady supply of films. Local organisation and initiative is, however, just as important. In Canada local activities are canalised through countless Film Councils which comprise all the principal community bodies of the neighbourhood: youth clubs, voluntary associations, schools, etc.
'Their purpose was to increase the availability of films, establish or assist in the setting up of local film libraries, to secure projection equipment for community use, to train volunteer projectionists and to provide guidance on the proper selection and use of films and other visual materials. Today there are more than 250 film councils in Canada, the largest with a membership of 200 organizations. Many have grown to embrace members from adjacent communities so that they now provide film services for an area, rather than a community. Throughout the four years of development, many have had to depend extensively on NFB for guidance and assistance. Regional offices and field staffs alike have assisted in organization, have loaned equipment where necessary, and have continuously helped in the training of people and the supply of films. Nearly every film library in Canada, including those of provincial government departments and universities, depends largely on NFB for a continuing supply of films on Canadian themes.' *
In this way the Film Councils provide the direct link between the film-makers of the National Film Board in Ottawa and the whole complex of local groups of every kind throughout the country. In addition, a variety of special circuits has been built up also on a functional basis, i.e. trade unions, farmers, etc. These circuits are provided by the National Film Board with regular programmes which include films specially produced to meet the particular needs of each. The only film about the
1 Brief to the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters & Sciences. Submitted by The National Film Board of Canada, July 1949.
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