Founded in 1897 to produce the films of its founders, Mitchell & Kenyon was based in Blackburn and quickly cemented its place in cinema history with its extensive collection of actuality films made in the north of England. A number of these films were shot in Bradford, showcasing events such as a school sports day, early electric tram journeys and the city’s celebration of the coronation of King Edward VII. The partners continued making films until 1913, and despite their prolific output, much of their work was only rediscovered in 1994, when workmen on a demolition site found three metal drums full of old film spools. Since then, the collection has been preserved by the BFI, and much of the collection is available on DVD.
