Biography

Established 1934 as Scottish Film Council of the British Film Institute. The reference to BFI was dropped from the official title in 1948. SFC was subsumed within the newly created Scottish Council for Educational Technology in 1976 with Scottish Film Council a statutory committee of SCET, becoming independent again in 1990. In 1997 SFC was merged with the Scottish Broadcast and Film Training Trust, Scottish Film Production Fund and Scottish Screen Locations to form Scottish Screen.

Initially SFC directed its activities through four panels: Amateur Cinematography, Entertainment, Social Service and Education and later Industry Panel (1939). SFC was closely linked with Scottish Educational Film Association and was instrumental in the setting up of the Scottish Central Film Library in 1939. Educational Films of Scotland was established in 1962. SFC offered support in the running of the Scottish Amateur Film Festival (est 1935). In 1976 the Scottish Film Archive was established. The Technician Training Scheme (a joint ACTT and SFC initiative) began in 1978, becoming the independent Scottish Film and Broadcast Training in 1993. The Scottish Film Production Fund was established in 1982 and SFC was one of a consortium of public agencies setting up Scottish Screen Locations in 1990. The Glasgow Film Theatre building was purchased in 1972 by SFC, opening in 1974, and becoming independent in 1986. SFC oversaw the purchase of the premises in Lothian Road Edinburgh as the new home of Filmhouse opening in 1985. SFC played a pivotal role in the development of regional film theatre movement in Scotland and cultural exhibition.

Found in 18 Collections and/or Records: