2025 research commissions will explore language in the film archive

The Box’s archives are now open to researchers, providing a unique opportunity to explore a fascinating collection of films previously housed by the South West Film and Television Archive. This collection features over 250,000 works in various formats, all of which capture the history of Plymouth and the South West from the late 1890s to today.

Our goal is to discover and share the diverse stories that are represented in our film collection, and which reflect the rich tapestry of communities in the South West and beyond. The Box’s extensive archive includes local television programmes, news, documentaries, and home movies, containing hundreds of untold stories – many of which have yet to be catalogued.

Last year, our cohort of researchers made great strides in exploring these narratives. Through the research that Claire and Tariq will now undertake, we’re aiming to deepen our understanding of the collection even further, continuing to unveil new narratives for future projects, identify any facts and experiences relating to our content that might be missing, and offer new perspectives from one of the UK's largest regional archives.

Our research commissions are part of the Reimagining the Film Archive (RtFA) programme, which runs until 2026 and is funded by the BFI and National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Box is committed to expanding the potential of its archive and establishing innovative ways to engage with the collection. In 2024, we commissioned local artist Tania Nana, radio producer and director Matt Tiller, and Priscilla Igwe from the New Black Film Collective.

This ongoing initiative is just the beginning for the RtFA research efforts, setting the stage for future digital projects that challenge traditional storytelling in archives. Recognising that history is often written by the dominant culture, these commissions see archiving and describing visual practices as tools for marginalised voices to reclaim their narratives. The archive is a vital space for preserving and valuing diverse stories. Language weaves the fabric of our cultural identity, and to decolonise it means embracing inclusivity and diversity more fully.

We look forward to sharing the exciting developments that emerge from Claire and Tariq’s research!

This initiative is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the BFI Screen Heritage Fund.

For more information about RtFA projects, and spotlights on the researchers visit:

• Reimagining the Film Archive: Spotlight
• Reimagining the Film Archive: Discoveries