De bewogen beginjaren van de Nederlandsche Bioscoop Bond, 1918-1925

This article considers the maturation period of what was later to become the mighty Dutch Cinema Federation (NBB/Nederlandsche Bioscoop Bond). Consolidation didn’t occur until after 1926 when it became the player in the Dutch film sector and which no-one could ignore formany decades. During the late 1910s and first half of the 1920s as it was professionalizing and expanding, the cinema and film distribution organisation experienced sharp growing pains.These were caused, firstly, by diverse conflicting interests, for example, between the proprietors of the cinemas on the one hand and the film importers and distributors on the other, between large and small entrepreneurs, between (large) towns and the provincial areas; and secondly, by external pressure from the changing world film market and the hostile attitude of local andnational authorities. The attempt by Loet Barnstijn and his companions to achieve vertical integration of screening, distribution and production into one ‘Dutch cinema trust’ played a crucialrole in the difficulties and struggle for power within and concerning the NBB.

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