Royal Anthropological Institute

Ethnographic film, and visual anthropology more generally, have a well-established position within the discipline’s mainstream. The RAI acts as contact point in the UK for information, networking and advice in visual anthropology, organises film screenings and lectures, and provides a base for international visitors. In addition it supplies a service based on the acquisition, hiring out and sale of ethnographic films, videos and DVDs for educational and academic purposes. The RAI’s ethnographic film library is one of the world’s largest and most important. New titles are added on a continuing basis to both the sales and the archive reference holdings. All films submitted for inclusion are screened by the specialist Film Committee, guaranteeing a standard of excellence unparalleled elsewhere. Growing numbers of film company researchers and broadcasters now consult the RAI film materials. The RAI International Festival of Ethnographic Film is held biennially.