Films and Television Programs at the Central Office of Information
  • Film Division Story
  • Research Materials
    • Jenny Ranson memories
    • Lord Boeteng Memories of London Line by Lord Boeteng
  • Films We Made
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Help
  • Janice Kay a Memory
  • Sources of Information at 2022

Film Division Story

In 1946 the British Government set up the Central Office of Information (COI) to inform, promote and persuade its citizens and the world. It produced over 23,000 films over 66 years in the form of public information films, television programmes for overseas distribution and promotional material. This site is an account of the Film Division and those who worked in it - the story of its work and the films it made. 

Use the site to explore the many aspects of Film Division the films and television programmes that it made. The 66 years of film Division are divided into three parts. You can choose where you would like to start or how you would like to move about

​There are opportunities to view some of the films listed in the narrative. These films are highlighted in red.

​
Part 1 1946 to 1959: COI Film Division starts up – anomaly of the Crown Film Unit - financial feast and famine – first shoots of the Overseas Television Service – documentary film production recovers from severe financial cuts – arrival of television and the creation of Television Fillers and Television Commercials                             
Setting up the COI and Film Division its purpose and funding
Anomaly of the Crown Film Unit: role of John Grierson
Structure of the COI as a media factory for government, structure of Film Division.
Distribution: Finding audiences in the UK: cinemas, TV & Central Film Library 
Making documentary films, television fillers and television commercials for use in the UK 
Making films and television programs for the Overseas Information Services.
​Part 2 1960 to 1989: production recovers and expands – use of moving pictures increases 
Overseas Television Services expand                                
Overview of documentary films for use in the UK 
​Documentary films produced between 1960 to 1989
Television commercials and television fillers made between 1960 to 1989
Central Film Library and CFL Vision UK Distribution 1960 to 1989
Overview of the Overseas Television Services 1960 to 1989 
Overseas Television Programs Produced 1960 to 1989
Distribution Overseas: Marketing and Sales 1960 to 1989 
Technical Services 1960 to 1991
Part 3 1990 to 2012: was a period of financial earthquake, a roller coaster of decline and boom followed by eventual abolition
​1990 to 2012 the years of decline and rise for COI and Film Division  
1987 to 1991 Overview Repayment Years followed by Executive Agency and Trading Fund Years
1990 to 1999 documentary films, television fillers and commercials for UK use.
1990 to 1999 television programs produced for the Overseas Information Service 
2000 to 2012 Years of Revival, Expansion and Closure  
2000 to 2012 Corporate Videos (aka documentary films) Produced 
2000 to 2012 Television Fillers Produced
2000 to 2012 Television Commercials Produced
2022 Epilogue 
As a way  to getting a flavour of the range of moving pictures covered by this account you may like to sample parts of three remarkable compilations made to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of COI in 1996.  The compilations are simply extracts of many films presented as three different themes. The extracts move back and forth over the 50 years: they give a flavour of what was made. They each last around 60 minutes.
Welcome to Britain” is about films that, taken together, are about the nature of our country.
“Your Very Good Health” is about films to do with our health and well being.
“Just the Job” looks at films to do with work, in the broadest sense of the word.
  • Film Division Story
  • Research Materials
    • Jenny Ranson memories
    • Lord Boeteng Memories of London Line by Lord Boeteng
  • Films We Made
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Help
  • Janice Kay a Memory
  • Sources of Information at 2022