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FOCAL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
79 College Road
Harrow HA1 1BD
Middlesex
UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 3178 3535
Fax: +44 (0)20 3178 3533
Email: info@focalint.org

The Federation of Commercial Audiovisual Libraries International Ltd, is a not-for-profit professional trade association providing excellent networking and marketing opportunities for content industry professionals and giving users easy access to over 300 members worldwide:

FOOTAGE & CONTENT SALES libraries selling clips, archive, footage, stock shots, stills, audio
FOOTAGE RESEARCHERSwith the professional skills to find and deliver the material, on time, within budget, rights cleared
FOOTAGE CONSULTANTSto advise on content management solutions and use of valuable library assets
FACILITIESwith the technical equipment and expertise to store, restore or deliver the material on any format
MEDIA LAWYERSspecialising in media and copyright issues

FOCAL was formed in 1985 as an international, non-profit making, professional trade association limited by guarantee (see Articles of Association). It represents commercial film/audiovisual, stills and sound libraries as well as interested individuals such as facility houses, professional film researchers and producers working in the industry.

The organisation aims to represent all its members for their mutual benefit (see "Benefits of Membership" page). FOCAL is also a central point for all enquiries relating to the content and stock footage business, information, advice and contacts being given FREE of charge. Key services are the Footage Finder, Researcher Finder and Facility Finder - all simple online forms which, once completed, send your request out to all relevant FOCAL International members in one email, ensuring a swift response.

Today FOCAL International has a membership of well over 300 archives, researchers and allied services on all six continents and is fully established as one of the leading voices of the industry.
FOCAL International holds regular seminars and workshops on a variety of industry related subjects, an annual Footage Training Week and Footage Fair and is represented at the leading international trade fairs such as, MIPTV, MIPCOM, Sunnyside of the Doc and the Broadcast Live Show in London. The FOCAL International Awards which are designed to promote the use of archive images in the creative media are held annually in May. Submissions are invited the previous September with a closing date at the end of the year in which a production has first been shown. Do look at the Events section of the website for more details.

FOCAL publishes the annual FOCAL International Footage & Content Directory listing all member's contact details and providing researchers and producers with a handy hard copy reference book containing all the information that can also be searched in the Web Directory. Contact the FOCAL office for a FREE copy.		Another of FOCAL International's publications is the quarterly magazine Archive Zones which is one of the leading sources of news and information for the industry, offering a platform for debate on issues of common concern. Contact the FOCAL office for a FREE copy.
Jane Mercer Memorial Fund In memory of Jane Mercer, the late chair of FOCAL International, this fund has been established by her friends and colleagues of FOCAL International, as a mark of the significant contribution she made to the furtherance of our industry. The fund is administrated by FOCAL International, through the FOCAL Training Sub Committee.			The object of the Jane Mercer Memorial Fund is to collect monies and make available grants to individuals or organisations that can be used for training, education and promotion of the footage industry and its associated areas.
It is proposed that the fund is financed in a number of different ways. Appeals to individuals and organisations Fund raising events, lectures and other initiatives Ad hoc donations from FOCAL International. e.g. The Executive board anticipate making a contribution towards the fund dependent on the budgetary position. Investing capital in the best possible way to produce income Any other appropriate fund raising activities What is offered The Jane Mercer Footage Training Bursary training.htm Attendance at FOCAL training events Work experience opportunities Free Associate Membership of FOCAL International (no voting rights) for 1 year. (Associate membership is at a preferential rate for those new to the industry) Jane Mercer Memorial Lecture. FOCAL International intend to establish an annual or regular memorial lecture. An invited speaker would be asked to present on a topic directly relevant to the aims of FOCAL International and to promote our industry. Any other appropriate initiatives in keeping with the spirit of the fund If you would like to donate to this fund, please contact info@focalint.org For further details and application forms for the Jane Mercer Footage Training Bursary see www.focalint.org/training

FOCAL International's Patrons:

FOCAL International's Chair of Patrons Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE

FOCAL is run by an Executive Council and small administration team based in the UK.