PRESERVATION OF NARROW GAUGE FILMS IN JAPAN: A CASE STUDY OF 8MM FILMS
By Yoshiyuki Yahiro, Fukuoka　City Public Library Film Archive, Fukuoka, Japan 　　　Page 6 of 6

　 　This is not a common practice, however, because it requires that the bereaved families have some knowledge of what film is. Because of its small size, 8mm film is often regarded as garbage and disposed of as such. For this reason we must presume that there are many cases where these cinematic works are disposed of without knowing what is located where, unless of course, their creator is well know

　 　Images above are from "Little Bear Cub" (8mm/1955) by the late Taro Nakayama, winner of the Short Film Section Grand Prix at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival, under our collection. Mr. Nakayama was the leader of a group of 8mm producers in the City of Fukuoka. “Little Bear Cub” was donated to us by his bereaved family some 10 years ago, after his death. The Fukuoka City Public Library Film Archive stores the original 8mm film from which it has made a DVD for purposes of exhibition.
　　The preservation of narrow gauged films has not been addressed much in Japan up until now, but we hope you can see that this title is worth preserving. In closing, I sincerely hope that the passion of those addressing the need for the continuation of 8mm films will lead to the discoveries and preservation efforts of this precious form of medium.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
　
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