IWM is a leading authority on conflict and its impact, focusing on Britain, its former Empire and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present day. IWM’s curators are experts in their field and can provide reliable guidance and information for commercial projects, such as feature films, documentaries and consumer products.

As well as offering behind the scenes research using our vast collections, our curators are available as presenters, talking heads or on camera historical experts. We have also provided consultation on documentary and drama scripts, illustrations for children’s books, advised art departments of major film and television series, delivered talks and lectures, authored articles for print.

Consultations will be charged by the hour (minimum of four hours across an agreed amount of time) and are heavily dependent on curator availability and subject matter. Prices vary depending on the project but start from £140 + VAT per hour.

For further information, please fill out the below enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch soon. Please do not contact curators directly.

Request curator consultancy

Case studies

Promotional Still from Apple TV's Masters of the Air: Austin Butler as Gale Gleven standing in front of B-17 Flying Fortress
©Apple TV+

Masters of the Air

Find out how IWM's curator consultancy helped Apple TV to realise Masters of the Air (2024) the upcoming mini-series from the creators of Band of Brothers (2001).

James Bulgin
IWM

How the Holocaust Began

IWM's Head of Public History, James Bulgin, presented and acted as a historical advisor for BBC Two on How the Holocaust Began (2023). The television documentary uncovered the killings of at least 1 million Jewish people that followed the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

Official cover of The Great War: Western Front, a First World War strategy game. The landscape shows trench warfare

The Great War: Western Front

Find out how IWM helped to create The Great War: Western Front (2023) a First World War real-time strategy game that takes historical detail to a new level. 

IWML 1917 poster image

1917

Find out how IWM's curator consultancy helped bring the Oscar-winning film 1917 (2019) to life.

Darkest Hour Poster Imperial War Museums Archive in the Movies Licensing Second World War Film

Darkest Hour

Find out how IWM's curator consultancy helped create the Oscar-winning film Darkest Hour (2017).

How we work

An IWM curator examines a book from the collection
© IWM

Our curators are experts in their field and are adept at understanding IWM’s collections.

Find out how they could draw on these resources to fulfil your enquiry.

How can our curators help?

Other services

  • Camerman war still Projected Picture Trust

    Media Sales and Licensing

    Contact us for high quality reproductions from IWM's unique collections, including photography, footage and oral history recordings, alongside research help and advice to support your licensing needs. 

  • Switchboard operators working in the Cabinet War Rooms during the Second World War.
    © IWM 27532

    Independent Research

    At IWM, we aim to provide the widest possible access to our outstanding collection. Search our holdings through Collections Search or should you wish to visit us to consult items from the collection, we offer a range services at our Research Facilities.

  • Churchill War Rooms Interior Hall
    © IWM, Churchill War Rooms

    Commercial Filming Locations

    IWM offers a diverse portfolio of filming spaces, including a wartime bunker, a Second World War battleship, an airfield and two stunning modern museums.