We walk through the history of film studies from its early start from social reformers concerned about the leisure activities of the working-class. In three decades film was finding its place in art museums and not to long later its arrival at the university as part of the curriculum. One of the most successful products of the 20th century’s culture industry, film is at the confluence of capital, class and culture. Grieveson who is Reader in Film Studies and Director of the Graduate Programme in Film Studies, and author of numerous books on films, also put together the colonialfilm.org.uk project which features material from our own history.