 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
 | |
| Abbreviation | FOCAL International |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1985 |
| Legal status | Non-profit company |
| Purpose | Trade association for thefilm archive,filmmaking andstock footage industry |
| Location |
|
Region served | Worldwide |
| Membership | Stock footage archives, industry skills and services companies |
Chair of Patrons | David Puttnam |
Patron | Greg Dyke |
| Website | FOCAL International |
FOCAL International is thetrade association representingstock footage companies,post-production facilities and individuals involved in the use offootage,still images andaudio in all forms of media production. It represents more than 300 companies and individuals involved in media production, asset management, preservation of historical archives,film restoration andpost-production.
FOCAL International was founded in 1985 by an international group oflibrary archive leaders, specialising in film, television and news content who knew each other largely through licensing film and television archives. The high cost of Archive management, preservation and storage and the introduction of new formats was also endangering many film based collections.[1] The founders included Jill Hawkins fromBBC Enterprises (nowBBC Worldwide), Pam Turner ofVisnews, David Warner ofITN, George Marshall ofBritish Pathe, Sten Frykholm from the Swedish broadcasterSVT, Jacque Blanchard, from theCanadian Broadcasting Corporation, and Patricia Gang ofNational Geographic. With the support of a close group of individuals from both BBC and Visnews including Alan Stoner, Jeremy Cantwell, David Wratten as well as researchers Kirsty MacCalman and Jane Mercer, FOCAL launched officially at MIPCOM in 1987.
Its first patron wasDavid Puttnam, who became Chair of Patrons in 2005.
FOCAL International is run by a small administration team in the UK, reporting to an international Executive Council, comprising a chair, and a number of representatives of member bodies.
FOCAL International seeks to implement its objectives through itscommittees, which are made up of industry experts and representatives. These committees include: the Editorial Committee, responsible for the quarterly magazine "Archive Zones"; the Events & Exhibitions Committee, responsible for organising theFOCAL International Awards, and FOCAL International's presence at relevant trade and industry events; the Training Committee, responsible for providing and promoting training in the archive industry, and raising awareness of the need for preservation of archives; and the Funding & Lobbying Committee, which lobbies governmental and institutional bodies on behalf of its members.
The FOCAL International Awards were established in 2004 to support and honour the researchers, technicians and producers who uncover, preserve and utilise archive footage in their work. The award ceremony is held annually inLondon, UK.
The Awards cover categories for the best use of footage in factual productions, history arts & entertainment, music, sports, natural history, short format and cinema. Further categories include best restoration orpreservation project, Jane Mercer Researcher of the Year, plus two additional personnel Awards for FOCAL Member Company of the Year & Footage Person of the Year. The FOCAL Executive Board also bestow the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Notable winners have included:
Companies and organisations that are members of FOCAL International include:
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
