Focus: A Film Review (1950-1951)

125 INSTITUTE NOTES Film Competition The C.F.I. Film Competition is nowopen. 16mm. films, sound or silent, on any subject, any (reasonable!) length. Entries to be sent in not later than September 30tli, 1950. Each film should be accompanied by an entrance fee of 10s. The Catholic Film Institute reserves the right to exhibit the prizewanning and any other films submitted in any way considered necessary. Film Show By the time these lines are being read we shall have had the first of what we hope will be a series of film shows for members of the C.F.I. designed to bring members together in friendly contact as well as to provide an opportunity to see worthwhile films of classic reputation. On Passion Sunday, March 26th, we are showing Dreyer’s Passion of Jeanne D’Arc. The Challoner Club, London, which will be the venue of our meeting, is not very large ; the success of this first show' will dictate whether a larger room need be considered. It is clear that only members in the London area will be able to come, but there is no reason why members in other districts should not emulate our example. Our plea for Regional Organisation of the C.F.I. still remains to be implemented. Film Course We hope that many of you are making use of Andrew Buchanan’s Film Course as a stimulant to Catholic Film Action. Many people ask us what does the C.F.I. do ? The tone in which the question is put often suggests that it is imagined either that our activities are restricted to free cinema show's on Press Day, or that there is nothing we can do to alter the course of cinema history. The answer to the question really implies a consideration of what we can induce you to do. If only a comparatively small section of the community were trained to know' what makes a good film and how it can be secured, our time would not have been wasted. All beneficial legislation and reform is the result of a few people with vision and drive who knew what they wanted. Twelve men once overcame and impregnated a monster far larger than the Cinema Empire. They had the help of the grace of God as well as a vocation. We claim that nothing short of a sense of vocation, both in the making and using of films, is required in order that, ultimately, the cinema, the most powerful of all propaganda media, be harnessed in the cause of Christianity. Summer School It has been a difficult task trying to find accommodation for our Summer School. As past experience seems to insist that a Residential School is desirable our efforts have been to that extent restricted. We have now succeeded in securing accommodation, at the Convent of the Assumption, Ramsgate, which, with the co-operation of a neighbouring Prep. School, will be able to provide for the needs of about 50 students. The only material difference to be noted is that the date for the Film Summer School is now August 8th-12tli inclusive. We had hoped to have prices and tariff details ready before going to press with this issue, but all members will be circularised as soon as possible, and we hope for loyal support this time tohelp us do our best to give you what you want. The Course will be delivered by wellknown personalities and will have both a theoretical as well as a practical side. Please make your initial reservations as soon as possible. Holy Year Film Pilgrimage At the Executive Committee of O.C.I.C. at Luxembourg, plans were announced' for the Holy Year Catholic Film Pilgrimage. It is to take the form