Sydney Samuelson
Encyclopedia
Sir Sydney Wylie Samuelson, CBE
(born 7 December 1925) was appointed in 1991 by the government of the UK as the first British Film Commissioner.
He is the son of cinema pioneer G. B. Samuelson
and has been an officer of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts
for over 20 years. His first job was as a rewind boy at the Luxor cinema in Lancing. After working in several cinemas in the Midlands as a relief operator for the ABC circuit he got a job as a trainee film editor with Gaumont British, which was at Lime Grove in London.
After serving in the RAF he got a job as a trainee cameraman with the Colonial Film Unit.In 1954 he set up Samuelson's Film Services, hiring out film equipment. He went on to become the first British Film Commissioner and remained in the post for six years. He was chosen as chairman of the Management board of BAFTA in 1976 and is a permanent trustee.
In 1985 he received The Michael Balcon Award and a Fellowship of BAFTA in 1993, the Academy’s highest honour. In 1995 he was awarded a Knighthood by Prince Charles for services to the British Film Commission.Sir Sydney Samuelson is featured in a new book entitled Conversations with Cinematographers,published by American publisher Scarecrow Press.
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 7 December 1925) was appointed in 1991 by the government of the UK as the first British Film Commissioner.
He is the son of cinema pioneer G. B. Samuelson
G. B. Samuelson
George Berthold Samuelson was one of the pioneers of British cinema.Born in Southport, England, Samuelson had an extensive film career and was the creator of Southall Studios, one of the earliest film production companies in the United Kingdom.He was the father of Sir Sydney Samuelson.-Selected...
and has been an officer of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
for over 20 years. His first job was as a rewind boy at the Luxor cinema in Lancing. After working in several cinemas in the Midlands as a relief operator for the ABC circuit he got a job as a trainee film editor with Gaumont British, which was at Lime Grove in London.
After serving in the RAF he got a job as a trainee cameraman with the Colonial Film Unit.In 1954 he set up Samuelson's Film Services, hiring out film equipment. He went on to become the first British Film Commissioner and remained in the post for six years. He was chosen as chairman of the Management board of BAFTA in 1976 and is a permanent trustee.
In 1985 he received The Michael Balcon Award and a Fellowship of BAFTA in 1993, the Academy’s highest honour. In 1995 he was awarded a Knighthood by Prince Charles for services to the British Film Commission.Sir Sydney Samuelson is featured in a new book entitled Conversations with Cinematographers,published by American publisher Scarecrow Press.