Draft:UCL FIlm & TV Society

UCL Film & TV Society (FilmSoc) is a prestigious society at University College London, highly regarded by other universities in the University of London group. It is the oldest and largest university film society in the country, and is one of UCL's oldest societies.

The society was created in 1948 and possess a rich archive of past movies, documentaries, short films and footage created by the members of the society.

FilmSoc is a popular forum, gaining hundreds of members each year, for cinephiles and filmmakers alike.

UCL Film & TV Society is run by a committee of elected students.

Present Day
The original studio was demolished and the current studio is in the basement of UCL's central Bloomsbury Campus.

UCL Film & TV Society runs a variety of fun activities, events and workshops for members.

They most notably do 3 Term Films, overseen by the Drama Producer, and 3 Term Documentaries, overseen by the Documentary Producer. These popular films allow students to kick start their career and experience in filmmaking by allowing them grant money for the films and giving them access to industry level equipment. All members are given access to equipment and the studio to make their own films.

One of the three Fiction films is shot on UCL Film Society's restored ArriFlex 16BL (purchased around 1965).

For members who appreciate cinema the society runs many social events, including a weekly screening for members.

UCL Film and TV Society runs its film festival called 'Festival Of The Moving Image' (FOMI). Often running in Summer; it allows students to submit their own films and holds exciting filmmaking events and talks.

Through UCL's association with the wider institution of University of London, FilmSoc has members from other institutes such as King's College London and London School of Economics.

Committee structure

 * President
 * Treasurer
 * Secretary
 * Drama Producer
 * Documentary Producer
 * Screenings and Socials officers
 * Welfare officer
 * Studio, Equipment and IT Managers
 * Co Blog and Podcast Editor-In-Chief
 * Marketing Officer
 * Workshop Producers
 * Videographer and Livestream Officer

History
The society was created in 1948 Stanley Joseph, an economics student at UCL. Originally called 'University College London Film Unit '

In collaboration with UCL's PI magazine, the society published bi-annual newsreels documenting student life at UCL. The archive now holds a collection of 77 newsreels which were produced between 1950 and the late 80's making it the most comprehensive record on film of any British university.

The original studio contained a Steenbeck editing suite.

Sir Christopher Nolan, president of UCL Film Society (92/94), directed his first feature length film, Following, on FilmSoc's ArriFlex 16BL. He met his long-time producer, collaborator and wife, Dame Emma Thomas, at UCL Film Society. Emma Thomas referred to the pairs days at UCL Film Society in her 2024 BAFTA Best Film speech for Oppenheimer.

Notable alumni

 * Sir Christopher Nolan (1993) British-American Filmmaker and Director. Nolan studied English Literature.
 * Dame Emma Thomas (1993) British Film Producer. Thomas studied Ancient History.
 * Harry Bradbeer (1989) British Director, Producer and Writer. Bradbeer studied Medieval and Modern History.
 * Matthew Tempest British journalist and documentary film-maker. Tempest studied English Literature.
 * Chantal Rickards (1980) Spokeswoman for the BBC and BAFTA, Former CEO of BAFTA Los Angeles. Rickards studied French.