Tuesday 3rd November

Fabulous But Forgotten: Early British Female Film Pioneers – An Illustrated Talk 
by Dr Nathalie Morris (special collections, BFI)

To book your place at the first in this new and fascinating series, e-mail 
[log in to unmask] or call 020 7287 1400, stating your name and job 
title.

We’re delighted to announce the first in a series of talks exploring the vital and 
multifarious contribution women have made to the development of film as 
creative personnel, critics, exhibitors and cinemagoers.
 
Leading film academics, researchers and archivists from across the country will 
give illustrated talks, followed by informal discussions and a drinks reception.
 
This is a great opportunity to find out more about a frequently neglected area 
of film history and fabulous but forgotten women.
 
This series is coordinated by Dr Kelly Robinson. Kelly teaches silent film at the 
University of Southampton, works part-time at the BFI and programmes 
archive and silent film for the Birds Eye View Film Festival.
 
The first talk will be given by Dr Nathalie Morris, in the cosy new cinema at 
Birbeck College, in leafy Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, and is titled Fabulous But 
Forgotten: Early British Female Film Pioneers.
 
In 1926, the film critic Iris Barry urged that the ‘one thing never to be lost 
sight of in considering the cinema is that it exists for the purpose of pleasing 
women. Three out of four of all cinema audiences are women’. While this may 
no longer be the case, women have undoubtedly played a central role in the 
history of cinema, not only as audiences, but also (for instance) as actors, 
writers, directors, critics, publicists and exhibitors.From home-grown stars to 
serious screenwriters to bitchy critics, this illustrated talk takes a look at some 
of the pioneering women who worked in Britain before the coming of sound.
 
Dr Nathalie Morris is Curator of Special Collections at the BFI. She has 
published on various aspects of silent cinema including women's films in the 
1920s and the early career of Alma Reville (aka Mrs Alfred Hitchcock). She is a 
member of the Women's Film History Network (UK and Ireland) and co-creator 
of the website Women and Silent British Cinema.
 
When: 3 November 2009
Where: Birkbeck Cinema, Birkbeck, University of London, 43 Gordon Square, 
WC1 0PD
What Time: 6.30pm-8.00pm
 
To book your place at the first in this new and fascinating series, e-mail 
[log in to unmask] or call 020 7287 1400, stating your name and job 
title.
 
 
Rebecca Brand
Newsletter/Website Editor
Administrator
 

Awards Networking Events Mentoring
 
Web: www.wftv.org.uk
Tel: 020 7287 1400
 
Unit 2 Wedgwood Mews
12-13 Greek Street
London W1D 4BB
 
"Women in Film & Television is incredibly important" - Twiggy