(Photo by Jingyi Cai)
The Chinese Independent Film Archive (CIFA), located on the second floor in the Old Library Building (2.23), holds nearly 800 independent films (mostly documentaries), their associated material culture, oral-history interviews with a variety of stakeholders, and other collections. I interviewed CIFA administrator Charlotte to learn about the organization and Chinese film’s spread and impact in Newcastle.
Me: What is the background and mission of CIFA?
Charlotte: Because many significant but marginalised films are currently not being screened in China due to tight policies, we intend to find a home for these films, and so last year with the help of a research grant from the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council, CIFA was established, and it is currently the only archive of its kind in the world. It aims not only to safeguard a significant but marginalised film culture for future generations, but also to act as an alternative record of social changes, historical traumas, and the lives of ordinary people in modern and contemporary China.
Knowing CIFA
Film and Community
I: What is the background and mission of CIFA?
Charlotte: We founded CIFA last year with the help of a research grant from the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council to house significant but marginalized films that cannot be screened in China due to tight policies. It is the only archive of its kind in the world. It preserves a significant but marginalized film culture for future generations and provides an alternative record of social changes, historical traumas, and ordinary Chinese life.
Film and Community
I: How does CIFA help the Chinese in Newcastle connect with their home culture?
Charlotte: Firstly, the Chinese will feel at home in a space like this with all familiar Chinese characters. Secondly, all of our films were essentially shot in China. They remind you of China and let you visit your past from a spectator’s perspective, which may reveal new perspectives. A visitor who had lived in Newcastle for 20 years took her son, who had never been to China, to see films that helped him connect his UK life to their previous lives.
Photo by Jingyi Cai
I: How have the films been received in Newcastle?
Charlotte: Several Newcastle residents and Newcastle University School of Arts and Communication staff have visited us. Professors bring their students here and try incorporating the archive’s collection into their teaching.
Cultural Influence and Promotion
I: What part do Chinese films have in Newcastle culture?
Charlotte: Firstly, it helps Chinese students and the Chinese community in Newcastle feel connected to their home culture in a foreign country. Secondly, it bridges Newcastle and Chinese culture, revealing China’s diversity and uniqueness. Most importantly, it makes Newcastle more culturally diverse and more inclusive.
I: What are the opportunities and challenges of promoting Chinese films in Newcastle?
Charlotte: We have partnered with several local organizations, and in the coming month, we will host Chinese film events with local art curators, museums, and theatres like Tyneside Cinema to reach more people. However, the biggest challenge is that the audience is mostly Chinese, which is not what we expected, so we still need to consider how to attract local interest in Chinese films. And because of China’s tight policies, some film screenings may be affected by political factors.
We hope CIFA continues to bring more exciting Chinese films to Newcastle’s Chinese and introduce more local audiences to Chinese culture.
For more interviews on Chinese films, follow my Instagram: @CHINALENS_NEWCASTLE
China Lens in Newcastle 
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