About the Fond “The State Belarusian Film Technical College of the State Belarusian Film Industry Trust “Belgoskino”

On 6 July 1928, the world’s first fully voiced film screening took place in New York City. This led to further technical progress of cinema and the expansion of its sphere of influence.

From the first years of Soviet power, the production of films was in the sphere of interest of the State. It is not surprising that in the late 1920s the Belarusian SSR wanted to create its own “factory” of film industry specialists. And Vitebsk was chosen as the place for this.

On 1 February 1932, the State Belarusian Film College of the State Belarusian Film Industry Trust “Belgoskino” was opened in Vitebsk. The first admission included 72 persons, of which 32 entered the scriptwriting department, 40 the film technical department.

The State Archives of Vitebsk Region holds the collection of the film college: 140 files for the 1932-1939 period, including curricula and programs, minutes of teachers’ council meeting and general student meetings, orders for the college, annual balance sheets, personnel records, and more.

Announcement of the beginning of the autumn 1935 admission to the 1st course of the Film Technical Department of the State Belarusian Film Technical College. 1935. State Archives of Vitebsk Region. F. 1539. Op. 1. D. 22. L. 9.