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some film suggestions, all the lending bulletins can be read on NFSA ‘Screening
Loans’ webpage. For these loans, fees in the DVD medium are very reasonable --
www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/screening-loans/fees/ .

In recent months, the NTLC has been adding DVD-R copies of many rare Australian
silent and sound films --
http://loans.nfsa.gov.au/display/076/wwk770?kw=zkcode|422571|&md=815&os=1
&om=100&ot=120&oq=ZKCODE&oq=422571&oq=&submit=1 These are often
exclusive to NFSA, not standard retail releases. The quality will vary according to the
condition of the originals, which may not be complete either. Thus an audience would
need to be fairly clued to enjoy such a show as the Charles Chauvel GREENHIDE from
1926. I loved it with all its faults.
Some of those transfers, and various others sound and silent, are in a useful Highlights
of DVD recent list --
http://www.nfsa.gov.au/site_media/uploads/file/2013/01/31/NFSA_NTLC_Highligh
ts_-_Dec_2012.pdf

Where a commercial distributor undertakes to release out of NFSA resources, the
lending copies will naturally be withdrawn for the period of that license. A current
example: Umbrella Entertainment will be issuing DVD of the Chauvel films (presumably
in re-mastered quality) so to borrow GREENHIDE from now will need prior lending
approval from Umbrella.

Thus, numbers of Australian films have now become conveniently available, on a DVD
loans basis, and fully licensed for non-theatrical showing, from the National Film and
Sound Archive. For theatrical shows, the situation is more demanding but still feasible.
Obviously there is study and admin work involved in each case, but hey, there are
plenty of Australian films available for audience showings. There are plenty not
available too, but overall it ain’t bad.
Is it all a bit complex? Yes, and for reasons. As a start point, work from
www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/screening-loans/ . Anyone who wants to chew over the
conditions of using NFSA films is welcome to ask at the Archive on toll free: 1800 067
274.

Acknowledgments to John Brady, Screening Loans, NFSA.

David Donaldson, Adelaide

Ph 08 8267 5069