MAJOR PRIVATE ART FILM COLLECTION IS FREE TO VIEW ONLINE FROM TODAY

* Unparalleled international private collection of films on art and architecture becomes free to view online for one week from today

* Birthday gift to the art world by private collector Anthony Roland who turns 80 today

East Sussex, UK. Every one of more than 400 films in The Roland Collection - one of the world's largest and most significant private collections of films on art, architecture and writing - is now free to view online for the next seven days, starting today, at http://www.rolandcollection.tv .

The collection of more than 400 films, many of them international award winners, has been gathered and catalogued by art dealer and film maker Anthony Roland over a period of 55 years. It has long been used by American and European universities, museums and other institutions as an important resource for art education and appreciation, and it is a boon for creative writing courses, but it has never been so freely available to absolutely everyone.

Collector and curator Anthony Roland said: "My collection features film documentaries and creative film explorations of history's great western artists from virtually every period, pre-civilisation to post-modern times, along with educational pieces on artistic techniques, art appreciation and conservation.

"It also includes films on modern architecture and, a hidden gem for writers, interviews with116 different authors talking about their writing and their craft. All together, the Roland Collection is the assembled genius of 230 film directors from 25 countries and is my life's work."

He added: "Lovers and students of art, architecture and writing will not find these films on YouTube, Netflix or any other platform. They are a private collection which until today has only been available to view for a fee. Today is my 80th birthday and I would like the world to celebrate it with me by being able to stream all 400 plus films for free, for the coming week."

Sculptor Henry Moore said of the Anthony Roland's collection, in The Times, "that it required the enterprise and courage of one individual to bring such a concept into being is a matter for amazement".

Free streaming access is provided until the end of 24 May 2016.