Doing women’s film and television history: the Women’s Film and Television History Network UK/Ireland

Abstract

The Women’s Film and Television History Network UK/Ireland (WFTHN) has grown substantially over the last twelve years, establishing itself within academic scholarship and a wider public context, and connecting those interested in learning about or researching the role of women in film and television. This has not been a linear process but one of organic growth. Key to the Network’s success have been the various activities promoted by its members. It has assisted in the creation of a network of researchers, practitioners, feminists and activists through funded projects, conferences, events, workshops, publications, a website, blog and social media, all relating to women’s film and television history. The Network emerged from the 2006 Women and Silent Britain event, held at the National Film Theatre. Initiated by Christine Gledhill, facilitated by Nicky North at BFI Education, and supported by film historians, curators and feminist scholars, this event was inspired by the international Women and the Silent Screen conferences1 and the subsequent Women Film Pioneers Project, launched by Jane Gaines and now curated at Columbia University, New York.2 It gave rise to a successful funding bid, supported by the University of Sunderland, to the Art and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). This enabled the Network’s first three years of activities, culminating in an inaugural conference in 2011, Doing Women’s Film History, out of which a book was published.3 This established both the Network’s international impact and its historical reach, as its focus expanded to include sound film as well as television.4