Cinema and Photographic Branch
Commonwealth Cinema and Photographic Branch · Cinema Branch · Cinema Unit
May 1913 – February 1940
The Commonwealth Government's film and photographic unit between the wars, making films and photographs that promoted Australia, its products, tourism and immigration at home and overseas.
How it came into existence
Grew from the appointment of Bert Ive as the Commonwealth Government's cinematographer and still photographer in May 1913; from then he was encouraged to build up the unit that came to be known as the Cinema and Photographic Branch. It was a new function with no Commonwealth predecessor, and it was administered by a number of departments in turn, its work shifting between the promotion of Australian merchandise, tourism and immigration.
How it ended
Transferred from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Information in February 1940, at first to provide material and facilities to the newsreel companies; its film work continued in that department's Film Division, the ancestor of the Commonwealth Film Unit and Film Australia. Ive had worked for the branch until his death in 1939.
- Government documentary and promotional film production
- Official still photography
Main functions
- Government documentary and promotional film production
- Official still photography
- Promotion of Australian products, tourism and immigration
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Commerce.
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.