GPO Film Unit
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The GPO Film Unit was a subdivision of the UK General Post Office.
The unit was established in 1933 and was headed by John Grierson, and was set up to produce sponsored documentary films on a variety of subjects. Among the films it produced was Basil Wright's Night Mail (1936), featuring music by Benjamin Britten and poetry by W. H. Auden. Directors who worked in the unit included Humphrey Jennings, Alberto Cavalcanti, Paul Rotha, Harry Watt and Basil Wright. Famed author Laurie Lee also worked as a scriptwriter in the unit from 1939-1940.
In 1940 the GPO Film Unit became the Crown Film Unit, under the control of the Ministry of Information.
