With the archive now digitised the range and quality of material present represents a beautiful and unique perspective on life in the mid 20th century. From daily life and family outings, to major historical events and world travel, the archive represents an exciting historical record.

Due to the fragile nature of the film much of the contents had not been viewed prior to digitisation, but tantalising clues to the contents were available through the notes written on the original film packaging.

As well as preserving this valuable resource we’ll be working with project partners to hold community workshops, create public responses to the footage, hold live screenings of previously unseen film, and develop academic and creative responses, including commissions for creative practitioners to make work responding to the collection.

Following a callout for artists and filmmakers to respond to the archive, the Phoenix Archive Project is thrilled to announce our new commissioned artists.

Xenia Glen and Antosh Wojcik

Antosh and Xenia are filmmakers, writers, and co-founders of Sleepwalker, a Dorset-based production company that was founded as a filmmaker collective in 2017. Antosh and Xenia's films have premiered at the London Film Festival, the London Short Film Festival, and on BBC3.

'The Memory Boom' is an archive-based exploration of preserving memories in the modern era.

HOLLY EBONY

Commissioned by Phoenix Archive Project, Devon folk artist Holly Ebony performs her new song cycle reflecting on themes around family, social change, travel, colonialism and relationship to place arising from the footage. Cascading vocals heady & peaty raw as the Dartmoor landscape she hails from, her 'intoxicating' (Fatea) 2023 debut album Born For These Times is 'surprisingly potent' (RNR) Female led folk of 'Easy Excellence' (ArtsCulture), serene harmony & elemental ferocity and led to Holly supporting both Jesca Hoop and Lady Nade.

Commission Premiere

Tue 16 Jul 2024 | 6PM | Exeter Phoenix

Free, booking essential

Join us for the exciting premiere of our two Phoenix Archive Project Commissions, including a chance to see some of the beautiful archive film rescued by the project. This evening will see the unveiling of a new film from Xenia Glen and Antosh Wojcik, and the performance of a selection of new music created by Holly Ebony.

Thanks to our funders & supporters on this project: The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Radcliffe Trust, The Aurelius Charitable Trust, Exeter Communities Together, & Villages in Action.