Heritage in motion - The HILO 16mm collection in the Boekentoren

In 2024, the Boekentoren collection was enriched with some 900 16mm films and the accompanying dissertations from the Higher Institute for Physical Education (HILO) of Ghent University. The archive (1960-1990) of the laboratory of human movement decomposition offers a unique insight into the scientific study of sport in Ghent.

The films and dissertations, made in the context of movement analysis, study how humans move and how this movement can be optimised. They are unique recordings, used in research and shown to students during biomechanics classes for decades.

A documentary on this special collection explains the contexts interviews the people who helped create this valuable heritage.

All original 16mm films will be digitised over the next few years by meemoo, Flemish Archive Institute. Cinematek, the Royal Belgian Film Archive, is responsible for the long-term preservation of the film reels. The accompanying theses found their way to the University Library - Book Tower, where they were digitised and can be consulted at lib.ugent.be. The digitised films will also be available for consultation there.