Biography of 'Scottish Amateur Film Festival (SAFF)'

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Amateur film festival organisation

SIAFF had its origins in the Open Competition for cine enthusiasts organised by the Meteor Film Producing Society, held in Glasgow in October 1933. By 1934 it had been launched as an annual competition named Scottish Amateur Film Festival, becoming Scottish International Amateur Film Festival in 1970.

The Festival went into abeyance during the Second World War, resumed in 1948 as an annual event, until 1978, with only three festivals 1981, 1983 and 1986 to follow. Festival historians claim that it was the first competition of its kind to be organised in the world and the first of the three major amateur competitions in Great Britain (citing Institute of Amateur Cinematographers and Amateur Cine World as others).

The SIAFF was unique for its adjudication system and the appointment of a professional from the film industry as Adjudicator. These industry contributors have included John Grierson, Alfred Hithcock, Michael Powell, Paul Rotha, Sidney Furie and Alan Parker. The Festivals were organised by the Scottish Association of Amateur Cinematographers from 1949, in association with Scottish Film Council. The public presentation of prizewinning films was made in the Cosmo Cinema in Glasgow.

Researcher: National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

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'SKIMSTERS, the' thumbnail

SKIMSTERS, the [2668]

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Waterskiers on Loch Earn, practising and taking part in Loch Earn Water Skiing championships. [Winner of the Marshall Quaich award at the 1959 Scottish Amateur Film Festival].

Full length video available

1959

sound

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SLAVONIAN GREBE, the [4032]

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Nature film about the Slavonian Grebe and its nest.

1961

sound

col

'SO FAR SO GOOD: The Strathspey Railway Association' thumbnail

SO FAR SO GOOD: The Strathspey Railway Association [4230]

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This film charts the efforts of the Strathspey Railway Association (S.R.A.) to restore the defunct Aviemore station to full public use.

Full length video available

Onsite only

1975

sound

col

'SPINNING WHEEL, the' thumbnail

SPINNING WHEEL, the [5852]

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Short film designed to accompany the song "The Spinning Wheel" by Delia Murphy. It depicts a young woman escaping her grandmother's croft to be with her lover.

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1951

sound

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'ST. ANDREWS' thumbnail

ST. ANDREWS [1669]

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A historical trip round St. Andrews visiting St. Rule's church and tower, the Cathedral, the Quadrangle in St. Mary's, the Kate Kennedy procession and the golf course.

Full length video available

1962

sound

col

'SURPRISE IN STORE' thumbnail

SURPRISE IN STORE [3804]

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Short humorous film of four children who find a way to slip into a toy shop at night, while their father fetches petrol — never suspecting their escapade. Interiors of the shop include a number of recognisable brands, including Corgi, Dinky, Tri-ang and Scalextric.

Full length video available

1965

sound

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'TABLES TURNED' thumbnail

TABLES TURNED [9303]

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New film record
New video

The tables are turned on a teacher in this lighthearted story film made by members of the Scottish Amateur Association of Cinematographers during a weekend at Strathearn Hydro, Crieff.

Full length video available

1959

silent

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THREE DAYS IN ROME [4108]

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The film documents a trip to Rome made by a group of Roman Catholic clergymen, showing general sights around Rome itself by day and night and a ceremony at which the Pope was in attendance.

1964

mute

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'THREE MUST GET THERE'S, the / PARK SCHOOL / ELSPETH AND JOHN : Making a Lino Block' thumbnail

THREE MUST GET THERE'S, the / PARK SCHOOL / ELSPETH AND JOHN : Making a Lino Block [8954]

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A compilation VHS tape of three educational films.

Full length video available

1959

silent

col

'THREE MUST-GET-THERES, the' thumbnail

THREE MUST-GET-THERES, the [1685]

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A prize-winning film at the 1949 Scottish Amateur Film Festival, showing three young boys on bicycles coping with traffic.

Film clip available

1949

silent

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'TO CAMP IN THE CLOUDS: A HOLIDAY IN ARGYLL' thumbnail

TO CAMP IN THE CLOUDS: A HOLIDAY IN ARGYLL [3081]

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Amid the scenery of the Argyll mountains, two young men and two girls climb, camp and cook their meals, relishing the freedom of a week's holiday in the open air.

Full length video available

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1955

silent

col

TO SEARCH AND FIND: A Linger and Look Nature Study Film [3867]

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Birds, their nests and young, during spring and summer - lapwing, sandpiper, oyster-catcher, yellowhammer, willow-warbler. The change of seasons is shown through the growth of trees and flowers.

1955

sound

col

'TRAWLER TOWN' thumbnail

TRAWLER TOWN [2647]

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Trawlers unload their catch at Aberdeen harbour and the fish auction gets underway.

Full length video available

1960

mute

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'TREE FOR TWO' thumbnail

TREE FOR TWO [5626]

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Two mischievous young children create havoc around the Christmas tree- opening all the presents, knocking over the tree and surprising their dad!

Full length video available

1957

sound

col

'VIEWPOINT' thumbnail

VIEWPOINT [6744]

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Film concerning an artists selection of a subject to paint in a picture and the subsequent painting of it.

Full length video available

1951

sound

col

'VORTEX' thumbnail

VORTEX [3100]

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Industrial espionage comes closer to home for Dr Stevens as his son is kidnapped and ransomed for his scientific discovery. With spectacular scenes of mayhem and destruction the question is whether or not the evil doers will succeed in their mission.

Full length video available

1972

sound

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WILD FLOWERS OF PALESTINE [0348]

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Films taken by Dr. Herbert Watt Torrance of the Scottish Mission Hospital, Tiberias, and family life during the years 1930-1950.

1949

silent

col

WILLIAM ROWAN THE COOPER [8951]

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William Rowan demonstrates his skill as a cooper, showing the techniques and tools used to make a barrel.

1939

silent

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'YOUTH ON THE HILLS' thumbnail

YOUTH ON THE HILLS [4568]

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Various mountain climbs in the Cairngorms by different groups of mostly young men, however women are involved on one climb. Some of the men are wearing their Service uniforms.

Full length video available

1948

silent

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'YOUTH TAKES A BOUGH!' thumbnail

YOUTH TAKES A BOUGH! [3247]

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A day in the life of a school forestry camp.

Film clip available

1940

silent

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'ZONE OF SILENCE' thumbnail

ZONE OF SILENCE [6414]

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Amateur film about a young couple who have an unexplained supernatural experience in the woods, possibly due to a radio blackout, which they then report to police.

Full length video available

Onsite only

1969

sound

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