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
The Haunted School
School boy antics take a supernatural turn in this silent slapstick ghost story made by pupils in a Belfast boarding school.
In partnership with:
Overview
Do you believe in ghosts? After the Junior House Rugby match things seem to take a supernatural turn in this slapstick student film. The red brick Campbell College emerges beneath a mist of scratches creating the ideal setting for this slow paced ghostly tale. Vanishing boys and ghostly apparitions encourage you to wonder what else lurks in these Victorian corridors.
At the time of this film Campbell College was primarily a boarding school however the number of boarders has steadily declined over the years. This prestigious school has had an interesting history since it was founded in 1894 from a bequest by Henry James Campbell. The school was caught up in an IRA gun battle in 1935 and during World War II the pupils temporarily relocated to Portrush when the school was requisitioned by the War Office to become a hospital. Many of the “Old Campbellions” who passed through its gates went on to become journalists, film makers, judges and peace activists. C.S. Lewis grew up nearby and briefly studied here before he was sent to a school that specialised in pupils with lung problems.
Related
Watch for free
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Amateur film 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Watch for free
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Watch for free
Midsummer Madness - An Idiotic Idyll Midsummer Madness - An Idiotic Idyll
Amateur film 1933 2 mins Silent
Four bright young things enact a midsummer's love tryst among the daisies in this short, well-crafted amateur fiction film.
Watch for free
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Watch for free
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Watch for free
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Watch for free
Family Festival Family Festival
Sponsored film 1951 27 mins Silent Location: Belfast
From Modernist designs inspired by the atomic age to paddling pool picnics, find delight in this silent selection from the Festival of Britain
Watch for free
Summer Holiday Summer Holiday
Home movie 1961 8 mins Silent Location: Carrickfergus
Join the Carrey family as they entertain each other during a summer adventure around the north of Ireland.
Watch for free
Dots and Whips Dots and Whips
Amateur film 1980 11 mins Location: Stormont
Learn the language of lace from the devoted women keeping the highly skilled art of Carrickmacross Lace alive
Watch for free
Seventh Angel Seventh Angel
Amateur film 1962 10 mins Location: Belfast
It was a day like any other for Percy Faith until he hears a voice he’ll never forget.
Watch for free
Ulster Heritage Ulster Heritage
Documentary 1961 16 mins Silent Location: Ballymoney
A jaunty guide to life and industry in Ulster which focuses on a Northern Irish farming family.
Watch for free
Ulster To-day Ulster To-day
Sponsored film 1967 18 mins Location: Irish Sea
From ancient crafts to state of the art computer production discover how "Ulster is not just yesterday, it is also tomorrow". Forget hindsight and enjoy this industrial dream.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.