Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free
Open Roads Ahead
Are you longing for a holiday? Before you book let these travellers’ tales tempt you to our shores.
From the collection of:
Overview
Fall in love with the open road. If you have always wanted to experience the tranquil Glens of Antrim, the delicate craftsmanship of Belleek Pottery or the thrills of Barry’s amusement park this is the film for you. Zip around Northern Ireland’s national treasures without leaving your home. You will soon have your own tales to tell after you’ve seen the King of the Mournes with his Prawn courtier not to mention a car that can cross water aided by an elderly woman and a young girl.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board created films that aimed sell the region as a holiday destination to boost the economy. This material captures NI tourism at an intriguing time, as conflict escalated so did the pressure to close the Tourist Board. Resilient staff adapted creatively to the uphill struggle to find ways and places where they could responsibly encourage tourists to visit. Despite these obstacles they continued to create films during the 1970s earning the nickname the ‘Fermanagh Tourist Board’. This material comes from the collection of National Museums Northern Ireland. It is courtesy of Robert Blair.
Related
Portstewart Portstewart
Sponsored film 1957 5 mins Silent Location: Portstewart
Take a trip back in time to Portstewart to bask in the beauty of a sunny day, blue sky and miles of golden sands.
Boating on the Bann Boating on the Bann
Amateur film 1960 15 mins Location: River Bann
All welcome who are interested in boating, angling, wild-fowling, botany, countryside preservation, or just fun!
Two Hours from London Two Hours from London
Sponsored film 1963 23 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Breathing history from every stone, Derry is the gateway to the North West of Ireland and a place of outstanding natural beauty. Come and see for yourself.
Through Ulster 3 Through Ulster 3
Sponsored film 1957 13 mins Silent Location: Giant's Causeway
A delightful expedition to some of Northern Ireland's most iconic and historic tourist locations.
North West 200 (1957) North West 200 (1957)
Sport 1957 3 mins Silent Location: Portstewart
Racing bikes and spectators at the famous road race.
Scenes from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (1958) Scenes from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (1958)
Travelogue 1958 36 mins Silent Location: Derry / Londonderry
Feast your eyes on the icons that inhabit Northern Ireland's landscape, from the Giant's Causeway to Cave Hill where the silhouette of sleeping giant overlooks Belfast.
Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A Joanna Scanlan - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 51 mins
Actor and writer Joanna Scanlan talks to Mia Bays, director of the BFI's Filmmaking Fund, about her career in film and television.
Baldwin's N***** Baldwin's N*****
Documentary 1969 44 mins
Horace Ové's striking portrait of the American writer James Baldwin at his sharp-witted best addressing a group of radical West Indian students in 1960s London.
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.