WFSA holds over 20,000 cinefilms and video recordings, and over 12,000 sound recordings. The collections have been arranged under themes. Some of the thenmes include

• Professional and newsreel film of local events and personalities, lots of military subjects and maritime coverage, shown in regional cinemas and halls
• Amateur film and video, showing many different aspects of life in the region, often not covered by professionals
• research and advertising film produced by local businesses, such as Vosper Thornycroft, British Maritime Technology, Portsea Island Co-operative Society, Southern Electric and Huntley & Palmers
• Local radio tapes
• Oral history recordings
• Videos reflecting life in the region both past and present
• Gramophone discs and tapes of local interest, including those featuring the Bournemouth Orchestras
• Much of the original film recording the raising of the 'Mary Rose
• A selection of local TV and radio programmes from 1958 to the present day

We welcome cinefilm, sound recordings, video recordings, digital recordings, equipment and manuals as a gift, on long-term loan or loan for copying.