From the 1940s, the Department of Agriculture’s Film and Video Unit produced film and later video. When this unit was closed, the film and video masters and raw footage were passed to Agmedia. Agmedia produced a range of videos, principally on behalf of the Department until 1996 when it was closed. Ownership of its films and videos (including copyright) reverted to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (the successor agency to the Department of Agriculture).
The Department of Agriculture’s Head Office Library also operated a film lending service. This was closed in 1993 and their collection of 200+ 16mm films plus videos was placed in storage.
In 1997, following the relocation of the DRNE, the collection was passed to Cinemedia for short-term storage (in controlled atmosphere) for a nominal fee. The collection consisting of 1804 film titles and over 2,000 videos, included:
· The pre 1990 Film and Video Unit master tapes and raw footage;
· The Agmedia masters and raw footage (around 750 films and tapes); and
· The library collection of 16mm films and videos
From many perspectives, this is an important collection, not just because it records Victoria’s agricultural heritage, but also because many of our filmmakers learnt their craft in making these films. There are treasures to be uncovered in the camera original footage.
Works in this group
Content notification
Our collection comprises over 40,000 moving image works, acquired and catalogued between the 1940s and early 2000s. As a result, some items may reflect outdated, offensive and possibly harmful views and opinions. ACMI is working to identify and redress such usages.
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Works in this group have been digitised and are viewable by following the links below.
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
B1005136
Audience classification
Exempt