BFI Mediatheque at Central Library, Cambridge
A new feature at Central Library, Cambridge will be the BFI Mediatheque. This is a partnership venture with the British Film Institute and will be the second regional Mediatheque in the Country. The photos below are from the BFI Mediatheque at the South Bank - our installation will be similar but not exactly the same.
What's in a name?
Mediatheque is a French word for an accessible library of moving images, made popular at such venues as the Pompidou Centre and the Forum des Images in Paris.
What will be available?
Up to a 1000 titles will be available initially with new titles added regularly. The majority of the titles will be British-made, but foreign films offering an interesting view of life in Britain or British involvement in other countries will also be included.
In addition to many classic British films such as "The Wicker Man", "Peeping Tom" and "Brief Encounter", examples of the best of British television drama; comedy and documentary film-making from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day is also included. Examples of Public Information Films and TV and Cinema adverts will also be available to watch either in their entirety or just to dip into.
Please click here for a list of films available from BFI Mediatheque.
Will there be any local content?
Yes. Approximately 100 films and TV programmes depicting life in Cambridgeshire and the Eastern Region are currently being selected for inclusion.
How many viewing stations are there in total?
There will be 10 viewing stations in total. The majority will be for individual use, although it will be possible for groups of up to four people to watch a film or TV clip together.
How much do I have to pay to use the Mediatheque?
Absolutely nothing! The Mediatheque is free for all users.
Will children be able to access material only suitable for adults?
No. When users register they are given a password, which will restrict access to titles suitable for their age group if under 18. Every title in the Mediatheque has been given a rating in line with the familiar structure used by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) - i.e. U, PG, 12, 15, or 18 - and for those titles where a formal certificate has not been issued for their release in cinemas or on VHS/DVD, BFI have allocated a classification in accordance with BBFC guidelines. More information on film classification can be found on the BBFC website at www.bbfc.co.uk.
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Date: 12 November 2008
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