Leslie Hardcastle
Encyclopedia
Leslie Hardcastle OBE
(Born 8 December 1926, Croydon) was Controller of the British Film Institute
's (BFI) National Film Theatre (NFT) complex on London
’s South Bank
from it early beginnings through to his retirement in the mid 1990s.
After service in the Royal Navy
, he worked his way through the ranks of the BFI and led the NFT through its pioneering days including the London Film Festival
(LFF), the setting up of NFT2 and the clubroom and restaurant. His annual Controller’s lunch at LFF was a highlight of the festival.
Whilst Controller of the NFT he also devised and headed the implementation of the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) also on the South Bank
. The multi-award winning museum was innovative and acclaimed internationally.
He was awarded an OBE
for service to film, is a Fellow of the BFI, and an Honorary Fellow of the BKSTS and received a BAFTA for the creation of MOMI.
After retiring as Controller of the South Bank complex (NFT & MOMI) he was retained as Curator to MOMI, instigating many innovative temporary exhibitions and overlaid the original museum with "The Little People's Exhibition" – a linear display for very small children.
Having retired completely from the BFI Southbank
he became a consultant and eventually a Governor of the Institute. He also remains active in film related projects: The Projected Picture Trust, Worthing Dome Regeneration, Uckfield
Film Society. Leslie Hardcastle was awarded the Charles Roebuck Cup for outstanding individual contribution to the film society movement in 2007.
Living in Soho
for most of his life Leslie is a board and founder member of the Soho Housing Association which provides social housing in central London. He is also a Vice President of the Soho Society.
Leslie is married with two sons and two grandchildren.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(Born 8 December 1926, Croydon) was Controller of the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
's (BFI) National Film Theatre (NFT) complex on London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
’s South Bank
South Bank
South Bank is an area of London, England located immediately adjacent to the south side of the River Thames. It forms a long and narrow section of riverside development that is within the London Borough of Lambeth to the border with the London Borough of Southwark and was formerly simply known as...
from it early beginnings through to his retirement in the mid 1990s.
After service in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, he worked his way through the ranks of the BFI and led the NFT through its pioneering days including the London Film Festival
London Film Festival
The BFI London Film Festival is the UK's largest public film event, screening more than 300 features, documentaries and shorts from almost 50 countries. The festival, , currently in its 54th year, is run every year in the second half of October under the umbrella of the British Film Institute...
(LFF), the setting up of NFT2 and the clubroom and restaurant. His annual Controller’s lunch at LFF was a highlight of the festival.
Whilst Controller of the NFT he also devised and headed the implementation of the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) also on the South Bank
South Bank
South Bank is an area of London, England located immediately adjacent to the south side of the River Thames. It forms a long and narrow section of riverside development that is within the London Borough of Lambeth to the border with the London Borough of Southwark and was formerly simply known as...
. The multi-award winning museum was innovative and acclaimed internationally.
He was awarded an OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for service to film, is a Fellow of the BFI, and an Honorary Fellow of the BKSTS and received a BAFTA for the creation of MOMI.
After retiring as Controller of the South Bank complex (NFT & MOMI) he was retained as Curator to MOMI, instigating many innovative temporary exhibitions and overlaid the original museum with "The Little People's Exhibition" – a linear display for very small children.
Having retired completely from the BFI Southbank
BFI Southbank
BFI Southbank is the leading repertory cinema in the UK specialising in seasons of classic, independent and non-English language films and is operated by the British Film Institute.-History:...
he became a consultant and eventually a Governor of the Institute. He also remains active in film related projects: The Projected Picture Trust, Worthing Dome Regeneration, Uckfield
Uckfield
-Development:The local Tesco has proposed the redevelopment of the central town area as has the town council. The Hub has recently been completed, having been acquired for an unknown figure, presumed to be about half a million pounds...
Film Society. Leslie Hardcastle was awarded the Charles Roebuck Cup for outstanding individual contribution to the film society movement in 2007.
Living in Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
for most of his life Leslie is a board and founder member of the Soho Housing Association which provides social housing in central London. He is also a Vice President of the Soho Society.
Leslie is married with two sons and two grandchildren.