Altrincham Cine Club was established on 1 July 1967. However, with the advent of video, the members voted for a name change in 1998 to Altrincham Video Society (Registered Charity Number 507682). Today the active membership is working entirely in video and producing some well shot and edited movies for the enjoyment of its members and outside audiences.

In 1968 the Society made its first ‘Club’ movie and entered it in the ROSPA National Film Competition. The film was ‘Child’s Eye View’. It won the first prize in its class of £100 and then went on to win the Group Award (another £100) by beating the winners of other classes, two of which went on to win Ten Best trophies. The Altrincham members at that time did not think their film was up to the Ten Best international standards and had not entered it in the competition.

Since those days Altrincham Video Society has gone on to win six Ten Best awards, including two Gold Trophies and a second place. In addition, it has won awards in many countries worldwide. They include the best film awards in the USA, Canada and Australia. The Society has won over 70 international awards.

The Society is affiliated with the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers, an organisation for the promotion of quality amateur film and video movie making. The Society has always supported the Institute and moving with the times now calls itself The Film & Video Institute.