Charmain Jones, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network, on the power of archive.

My direct involvement with NI Screen and the Digital Film Archive has given me a profound appreciation for the power of moving image heritage to inform, inspire, and connect people across generations. Working alongside NI Screen, it has allowed me to engage not only with film as a creative medium, but with archive material as a living record of our shared social, political, and cultural history.

One clip in the Digital Film Archive that resonates deeply with me is the Peace People footage, particularly the moment when Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams accept the Nobel Peace Prize. Her words about the “power of love” rising above violence and division are as moving today as they were at the time. Watching that clip, I am struck by its emotional honesty and moral clarity and by how archive footage can capture the spirit of a moment that continues to speak to contemporary audiences. It is a reminder that hope, compassion, and grassroots activism can emerge even in the darkest circumstances.

A meaningful memory for me has been seeing how archive material can transform understanding when shared with others. Whether in a professional or community setting, witnessing people recognise familiar places, faces, or moments from their own lives in archive footage is incredibly powerful. These moments create connection, spark conversation, and often unlock memories that might otherwise remain untold.

The Digital Film Archive is invaluable as a cultural, creative, and community resource. It preserves voices that might have been lost, supports filmmakers, community practitioners and educators, and ensures that Northern Ireland’s complex history is accessible in a human but nuanced way. For me, moving image heritage is not just about preservation; it is about empathy, learning, and the enduring ability of film to remind us of our shared humanity over conflict.

Watch the report on the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the Peace People