The Western Daily Press of January 8th 1934 reported, under the headline BRISTOL CIVIC HEADS SHOT - BUT ONLY WITH CINE CAMERA, a rather splendid, and for us historic, film show. There was a picture of some well starched, wing- collared and pin-striped gentlemen, brandishing movie cameras, accompanied by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bristol at the Royal Hotel, College Green. This has often been quoted, as the first meeting of what is now the Bristol Cine Society. Research has shown that it is not quite as easy as that. This in fact was a showing of prize-winning films in the 1933 amateur movie competition of the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers. The probable purpose behind it was to launch an IAC - fellowship in Bristol: these fellowships were similar to earlier Kodak ones and were intended to provide a means by which I.A.C. members could meet and exchange films and information. A number of these were set up in various areas and Mr. Leslie Froude, present President of the Institute, remembers setting one up himself. He also recalls visiting Bristol about this time and attending a public show. He stayed with Mr. Bodenham, the Dental surgeon (whose name appears on the Burris Cup twice just before the war). Mr Froude says that he went with his host to visit Cheddar on the following day and this show was probably the one reported.

The Lord Mayor promised to do all he could to help the new movement which was to be called the Bristol Fellowship of Amateur Cinematographers (Western Branch). The branch was formally opened the following year

While Leslie Froude says that "as I recall none of the Fellowships developed into actual Cine Societies, though it seems possible that some of the members, having met through the Fellowship, later grouped themselves into societies to make films".

The Bristol Fellowship began meeting in each other's homes and there is a newspaper report in July 1934 of the third meeting at St. George Vicarage - the home then and for many years of Canon Gay. New members were coming along.

Mr Clifford Stephens, a pre-war chairman and 1947 Burris Cup winner, says that the group’s title seemed far too big a mouthful and was shortened to Bristol Amateur Cinematographers. Its affiliation and connection with the I.A.C. seems to have lapsed after the War. Mr. Stephens produced Impromptu and the first major production, Our Good Neighbours and took charge of the club’s film library until the restart of activities after the War in 1947.

The show reported by the Western Daily Press is recalled by Cyril Sage - another dental surgeon - who, though not a member of the group at this time, later became a prominent member of the Cine Society. He went to the show as a schoolboy. The programme, he says consisted of four 16mm and one 9.5 mm - the latter has disappeared from I.A.C. library and records.

The 16mm films were:

The latter film is still in the library of BCS and Mr. Sage reminds us that this was made by a Mr. and Mrs. Thrubron in 1932 (it was 150 ft black and white) and was a "rather corny personal record" but made memorable by the fact that the small subject of the film grew up to be June Thorburn, the actress, who died in tragic circumstances some years ago.

At this show it was announced by W.E.Chadwick, founder, hon. secretary and treasurer of the IAC that Mr. F.G.Warne "who had done so much for amateur films in Bristol" had been awarded a Fellowship of the Institute. It appears that invitations went out to people who appeared on the film lending library list of Messrs Salansons.

The early productions were made under the name Bristol Amateur Cinematographers but by 1954 the connection with the IAC had gone and the members were now calling themselves the Bristol Amateur Cine Society. The word "amateur" was dropped in 1956.

There is some evidence, however, that the club existed before the January 1934 Royal Hotel meeting at which it has been supposed the Society was formed. Leslie Froude thinks that Bristol Amateur Cinematographers was in existence before 1934 and both A. Parsons and Canon Gay thought that the group was first formed about 1930, that the IAC Fellowship was set up later containing mostly the same people, but that the BAC, having become affiliated to the IAC later broke the connection and continued as a film making society on its own.

The Bristol Fellowship of the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers (Western Area Branch) was formally opened at a meeting on May 25th 1935 at the Chemistry Lecture Theatre of Bristol University. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and a large audience were present when the articles of Association were handed to the chairman Mr. Ernest Burris, by the Lord Mayor. As a report has it: the Branch being formally opened and the room lights lowered, and after the National Anthem had been played, the Show began. The programme was opened with a local film taken by a number of members of the Bristol IAC Fellowship. This was a very full account of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations in Bristol and although marred in places by over-panning it was of very great interest.

Chairman of the branch: E.H. Burris

Secretary: E. Temple Robins

President of the Western Area Branch: Lord Apsley

The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers precedes our Society, having started in 1931 and being registered as a company in 1932. W. E. Chadwick was the first Hon. secretary. "In 1935, Chadwick had the idea of an Institute catering for both amateurs and professionals" writes Leslie Froude, President of the IAC. It was decided to form the British Institute of Cinematography which would absorb the IAC together with its officers; but the venture was short-lived since the pros were not really interested in the set-up. The IAC was pulled out of the muddle and from then on operated as a separate organisation.

The Bristol Cine Society became an affiliated club of the IAC in 1982.