THE FILM AND VIDEO INSTITUTE
Non-commercial film and AV
Welcome to the world of non-commercial film-making and AV. Our society has been helping filmmakers to grow in their art since 1932. Join us and become part of the biggest community of filmmakers in the world.
What’s happening…
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April (2026) FVM
Is due to land on your doormat from around 10th March. “Some things just feel right” says Tom Hardwick, “As soon as you pick it…
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Swan Short Film Awards
What it says on the tin…
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And the winner is…
Congratulations to Peter F. from Wem, Shropshire for correctly identifying the deliberate error as FVM rolled over from 2025 to 2026 but the year on…
Join a film crew of thousands.
Like minded people around the country can help you in your film-making career
Contact
Membership puts you in contact with thousands of other enthusiasts in the UK and overseas. Hundreds of affiliated clubs offer one-to-one advice, an audience for your movies and the opportunity to join larger film-making groups. In addition to national and international events, our regions run their own movie festivals.
Copyright Clearance
Our unique copyright clearance scheme covers music used in non-commercial movies and AV sequences. Most music is covered by strict copyright laws, with stiff penalties for infringement, but we can provide members with inexpensive licences.
YouTube Copyright strikes don’t apply to our members.
Competitions
Our British International Amateur Film Competition (BIAFF) attracts movies from around the world. Entrants receive written comments from a panel of expert judges. Award-winning movies may be chosen to represent the UK overseas. Many clubs and regions hold their own competitions. We also run the annual Peter Coles AV (audio-visual) Competition.
Expert Advice
Advice on all camera, movie and A-V matters, technical and creative, simple or complicated. Learn to make better movies.
Visit our archive catalogue of “Making-of” articles
Members can also access our Internet forum, where you will usually find someone with the answer to any problem.
Our own magazine
Keep in touch with other members, and with new developments in movie making through Film & Video Maker, our very own magazine.
Film & Video Maker is delivered free, bimonthly, to every member of the IAC.
Awards of Excellence
We provide a range of awards. Accomplished film-makers and audio-visual workers are awarded Licenciate, Associate or Master status. Members who have made an outstanding contribution to the movie movement are recognised with a Fellowship or a UNICA medal.
All that, sure. But what else?
OK, so apart from the copyright licences, the camera kit advice, the music advice, the regular competitions and festivals, the support for your filmmaking, our nationwide filmmaking groups, the free bi-monthly magazine (FVM), the access to UNICA (the world non-commercial film body), the companionship, the ability to borrow a crew member at any time, what else does the IAC do for you?
- Encourage and support young film makers.
- Maintains links with movie-makers and festivals overseas.
- Makes representations on behalf of amateurs to government and other bodies and to the trade.
- FREE ENTRY to BIAFF our annual international Film Festival.
- Bimonthly online OPEN FILM nights – show your film, get some feedback
Our Patrons
We are grateful to our patrons for supporting our work:
* John Boorman * Professor Ray Johnson MBE Hon FACI
* Paul Kittel FACI * Lord Putnam CBE