Celebrating the art, style, and history of the men and women that recorded our nation's cinematic past.

History

Rosemary Bergeron – Canadian Film History Pioneer

It is with a very sad and heavy heart to announce the passing of a much loved, and respected friend of the Canadian Film Archival community; Rosemary Bergeron, January 9th,…

January 10, 2023

Films·History

So, what’s a Canadian feature film?

By J. A. Forrester (revised for submission to Arthur, Canadianfilm.ca, 8July2024) While on a Paul Newman survey I dug out his directorial debut Rachel, Rachel (1968) on DVD, based on…

July 28, 2024

Films·History·People

On the Trail with Grey Owl and Bert Bach

Above: featured image description: Grey Owl mending a snowshoe inside cabin, Lake Ajawaan, Saskatchewan, ca. 1933-1934, by W.J. Oliver. Courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collection. By 1936 the dream of…

March 24, 2024

History·People

Stanley Brede, CSC website

Many thanks to Cathy Brede for sharing her link to her website devoted to her father, Stanley Brede, CSC, Canadian photographer and cinematograher. “Hi Dale. Roughly 6 years ago I…

January 8, 2024

Films·History·People

When a Pilgrim of the Wild met a Cameraman of the Wild: The collaboration between Grey Owl and W.J. Oliver

By David Sedlock The friendship between Grey Owl and W.J. “Bill” Oliver began on an awkward note in 1931: Bill, then working under contract for the Parks Branch, had just…

November 3, 2023

Books·History·People

Pursuing History: The Joys and Hazards of Following All the Stories of the Past

Experienced by Ernest J. Dick Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia This memoir is dedicated to Nance, my life-partner for 49 years, who witnessed and weathered my working and playing with the…

June 1, 2023

History·NFB·People

What Sponsor Program! An unknown history of the NFB

March 26, 2023

History·People·Pioneers·Technology

Roy Tash Meets Captain Power, and the Soldiers of The Future

November, 2022 phone interview with James Crowe, Associate Member, CSC, who purchased legendary Canadian newsreel cameraman, Roy Tash’s Eyemo in 1974. As the vintage Bell & Howell Eyemo motion picture…

February 7, 2023

Films·History·People

The Loon’s Necklace summary by James Forrester

Entry for Masterworks 2001 by James Forrester for AV Preservation Trust of Canada web site (now defunct). Reposted here with permission of the author, and the current rights holder for the AV Preservation Trust of Canada: Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (Academy.ca). The…

September 24, 2022

History·People

A Brief Personal History of the Canadian Film Institute (CFI) (1935-1975) By James Forrester

Reprinted here with permission: ELAN (Ex Libris Association Newsletter), Number 68/Fall 2020 At Christmas of 1972, I arrived at 1762 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, to work as a “Stills Librarian” for…

August 25, 2022