The term ‘ephemeral film’ was first coined by film archivist Rick Prelinger to categorise films including social guidance films, police training videos, and PSA’s, specifically made for non-artistic purposes. Veering from insidious propaganda to the hilariously misguided, this strand offers a portal into the prejudices, fears and desires of a not-so-distant past.

With this selection, we take a dive into the corny and stunningly inappropriate world of the sexual education film.

With its roots firmly embedded in turn of the century moralsing, the sex-ed film was orginally created as a means to keep social order, emphasising the dangers of wanton behaviour, unwanted pregnancies and STDs. As society underwent the cultural shifts of the 1960s, these films transitioned into the more liberated, Vaseline smeared embarrassments we all know and love today.

Keep an eye out for Breaking Bad’s Johnathan Banks in his first ever starring role. Programmed by Tom Grimshaw. 99’

This retrospective is kindly supported by The Prelinger Archive and AV Geeks.