Reference Code
GB243 T/SOR/39
Title
Camcorder Guerrillas Collection
Dates of Creation
2003 – 2019
Extent
3 archive boxes and approximately 2GB of digital materials
Name of Creators
camcorder guerrillas
Level of Description
Fonds
Administrative History
Camcorder guerrillas is an award winning Glasgow based, voluntary collective of film-makers, artists and activists, who work together to make and showcase documentaries concerned with human rights, welfare and social justice. They were formed in January 2003 during a weekend collaboration between Indymedia, Glasgow Media Access Centre and a group of local professional film-makers. The weekend of workshops, screenings and classes served to teach, inspire and inform people about grassroots video activism. It was so successful and inspiring that a small group decided to carry it on and created camcorder guerrillas. Founding members included: Lucinda Broadbent; Charlotte Cornic; Iñigo Garrido; Fran Higson; Aimara Reques and Louise Scott.
In 2004 they opened an office in Glasgow Media Access Centre. They attracted funding to pay for an edit suite and a part-time administrator and went on to make professional quality campaigning films and short campaign reports as well as organising dozens of screenings, exhibitions and events in various venues throughout Glasgow, Scotland, the UK and beyond. They see themselves as part of a global movement that is working towards social justice in society. They produce films that are made in collaboration with, and used by, minority or disadvantaged communities and those working with them. They have a network of members and collaborators who support their aims.
Camcorder guerrillas have made over 20 films that aim to start, or contribute to, local, national and international grassroots campaigns. These include films about Faslane Peace Camp and the transport of nuclear weapons: Faslane – The Very Big Blockade (2003), Breach of the Peace (2004), Visit Faslane Peace Camp (2013) and Deadly Cargo (2008); films about refugees and asylum, Welcome (2003), Visit Dungavel (Monster of the Glen) (2005), Those Left Behind (2007), UKBA Glasgow Protest (2010) and Room for Improvement (2018); Mordechai Vanunu interview (2004), a live video interview with the Israeli nuclear whistle-blower, while under house arrest in 2004 (for Document Film Festival); Salud y Solidaridad (Health & Solidarity) – Scotland and the Zapatistas (2006) about the building of an autonomous health clinic in the rural Zapatista Autonomous Municipality ’16th February’; Petrol In My Food (2010), a short origami animation examining the link between our food and its dependency on oil; Skipping Dinner (2010) on the connections between industrialised food production, supermarket-based shopping, climate change and consumer waste and The Broadest Shoulders (2011) about how cuts in UK social security benefits affect the disabled. The full catalogue is available to view at: https://vimeo.com/channels/camcorderguerillas/videos. They also deliver training aimed at equipping community and campaign groups with the skills to make their own campaign films.
They are now based at the CCA and continue to make films and organise screenings on social justice issues. They also encourage people to get in touch if they would like to arrange a screening: https://camcorderguerillas.wordpress.com/. In 2020 they are launching Refugee TV – a new programme to support short film work by people seeking refuge or asylum in Glasgow.
Scope and Content
The collection includes: administrative papers; transcripts; quicktime masters of all camcorder guerrillas films; camcorder guerrillas library of films made by other activists; publicity material from events; photographs; newspaper cuttings and ephemera.
System of Arrangement
Items have been arranged according to subject and record type.
Custodial History
Material collected by camcorder guerrillas.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
camcorder guerrillas
Appraisal, Destruction, Scheduling
Appraised according to the Spirit of Revolt appraisal policy.
Accruals
Further accruals expected.
Access Conditions
Open
Copyright Reproduction
Application for reproduction should be made to the archivist.
Existence of Copies
No known copies.
Finding Aids
Descriptive list available at Glasgow City Archives and on the Spirit of Revolt website.
Publication Note
No known publications.
Note
camcorder guerrillas do not use capitals in their name.
Related collections
Other Spirit of Revolt (Ref: T/SOR) collections held at Glasgow City Archives.
Date(s) of Description
Compiled by Paula Larkin (Project Archivist) November 2019.