Biography of 'Scottish Amateur Film Festival (SAFF)'


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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SPINNING WHEEL, the [5852]Add to my filmsShort 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 col |
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ST. ANDREWS [1669]Add to my filmsA 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. |
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1962 sound col |
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SURPRISE IN STORE [3804]Add to my filmsShort 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. |
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1965 sound bw |
THREE DAYS IN ROME [4108]Add to my filmsThe 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 bw |
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THREE MUST GET THERE'S, the / PARK SCHOOL / ELSPETH AND JOHN : Making a Lino Block [8954]Add to my filmsA compilation VHS tape of three educational films. |
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1959 silent col |
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THREE MUST-GET-THERES, the [1685]Add to my filmsA prize-winning film at the 1949 Scottish Amateur Film Festival, showing three young boys on bicycles coping with traffic. |
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1949 silent col |
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TO CAMP IN THE CLOUDS: A HOLIDAY IN ARGYLL [3081]Add to my filmsAmid 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. |
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1955 silent col |
TO SEARCH AND FIND: A Linger and Look Nature Study Film [3867]Add to my filmsBirds, 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 |
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TRAWLER TOWN [2647]Add to my filmsTrawlers unload their catch at Aberdeen harbour and the fish auction gets underway. |
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1960 mute bw |
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TREE FOR TWO [5626]Add to my filmsTwo mischievous young children create havoc around the Christmas tree- opening all the presents, knocking over the tree and surprising their dad! |
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1957 sound col |
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VIEWPOINT [6744]Add to my filmsFilm concerning an artists selection of a subject to paint in a picture and the subsequent painting of it. |
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1951 sound col |
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VORTEX [3100]Add to my filmsIndustrial 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. |
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1972 sound col |
WILD FLOWERS OF PALESTINE [0348]Add to my filmsFilms taken by Dr. Herbert Watt Torrance of the Scottish Mission Hospital, Tiberias, and family life during the years 1930-1950. |
1949 silent col |
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WILLIAM ROWAN THE COOPER [8951]Add to my filmsWilliam Rowan demonstrates his skill as a cooper, showing the techniques and tools used to make a barrel. |
1939 silent bw |
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YOUTH ON THE HILLS [4568]Add to my filmsVarious 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. |
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1948 silent bwcol |
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YOUTH TAKES A BOUGH! [3247]Add to my filmsA day in the life of a school forestry camp. |
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1940 silent bw |
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ZONE OF SILENCE [6414]Add to my filmsAmateur 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. |
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1969 sound bw |