Known the world over as the place to get all the latest news from the realm of film, IMDb, has celebrated its 25th birthday this year but perhaps not everyone is aware of the website's humble Bristol beginnings.

Founder Col Needham initially began the Internet Movie Database as his own personal resource before collaborating with other likeminded film fans to develop the site.

A quarter of a century later, IMDb welcomes 250 million unique users each month, and has two offices in America. Although former Hewlett-Packard worker Col still remains loyal to Bristol and can regularly be found at the organisation's base in Castlemead Tower.

Adorning the wall of the premises are posters from some of the chief executive officer's favourite films such as Star Wars and Blade Runner as well as a few curve balls like Legally Blonde and Dukes of Hazzard.

"You would never think back in 1990 it would possibly get this big. At the moment we have over three million titles in the database and six million names with information on every film and TV show ever made from pretty much every country in the world," explained Col as he finished taking a drink from his IMDb branded mug.

"This dates back from the earliest experiments in fill during the late 1800s all the way through to a very special piece which is Robert Rodriguez's new film, called 100 years, which is not due for realise until 2115. It has been made, starring John Malkovich, and sealed in a vault and nobody will see it until November 2115.

"Excitingly we can now say IMDb covers film from 1874 to 2115. There were a few wry smiles round the office as we gathered to add it to the database as we realised, unless there are vast leaps forwards in medical science, none of us are going to be alive to see it."

The Mancunian moved to Bristol in 1988, he has a wife called Karen, with the couple meeting while studying in his home city.

The down-to-earth CEO said he still hasn't lost his northern accent because it bounces off that of his partner's.

Col and Karen, who have twin daughters, are devoted moviegoers and enjoy a lunchtime popcorn date every Tuesday.

"We have the Tuesday lunch dates and given where we are based you can probably guess where we go," Col said, eluding to the Showcase at Cabot Circus.

"We are always at cinemas the rest of the week. I wouldn't bat an eyelid at being in a cinema four times a week. The Tuesday lunch date, Friday and Saturday for new film openings and then Sunday you'll often find me at The Watershed.

"One of the things that struck me about Bristol was the interest in cinema and I love going to the Watershed. I got here in 1988 and that venue was relatively new at the time.

"Thanks to places like that I immediately knew Bristol was a great balance between normal traditional cinemas and something a little different."

Another reason why 2015 has been a special one for Col is because it is the year he made his big screen debut.

He joked it is a 'blink and you'll miss me' role but nonetheless he features in the critically-acclaimed film Suffragette alongside Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep.

He said: "There's some brilliant acting work in that one - especially from the background actors."

At this point he reached into his pocket and got out his iPhone flicking through his photographs until he stumbled across an image he'd taken of Suffragette's credits.

Proudly Col explained: "I'm down in the credits as committee member Col Needham and because it is billed in appearance order I'm ahead of Meryl Streep."

During filming for the Sarah Gavron directed feature Col filmed at the Houses of Parliament for a day. He got the part by winning an auction lot in aid of the British Film Institute's archive.

It promised no guarantee that the winner's scene would make it into the finished motion picture so Col faced an anxious wait until Suffragette's premiere.

"At the premiere I was sat next to John Hurt and I explained the situation and that I was hoping I wasn't going to be cut and he dryly replied 'it happens to the best of us'," Col recalled.

"I'm visible for half a second in a scene outside the Houses of Parliament. It was utterly wonderful to go there for a day and be part of a great film like Suffragette which tells such an interesting story.

"The family are eagerly awaiting the release of the Blu-Ray so we can pause the scene."

Despite being a huge movie buff, Col, insisted he had no strong yearning to progress his acting talents.

He explained: "I have no desire to be an actor but I have great respect for those that do. I get asked would I like to write, act or direct but I don't have the talent simply or the tenacity."

Although rather fittingly, the CEO, now has his own acting credit on IMDb.

Over the last few years one of the big changes for the website has been embracing the smartphone era with their app being downloaded over 100m times across the world.

Col said: "Our vision is to be with people wherever they watch films and help them get more from that experience.

"We also try to help them make smarter film choices. For example, if you've just seen a film directed by Ben Wheatley it will come up with suggestions from him and then from there you can find films featuring your favourite actors."

Today IMDb, which is now a subsidiary of Amazon, has staff which work for the company across the globe. This is a far cry from when a small group of volunteer film fanatics provided their take on movies.

But it was so refreshing to get an understanding of just how passionate Col remains. He ended by explaining his love for looking up trivia on his website – a habit many of us have.

He said: "I'm very guilty of doing that. It gives you a renewed appreciation of the piece and you might discover there's been some great technical accomplishment or how a difficulty was overcome.

"Then when you reflect on that information you appreciate a film more."

To find out more about the resource visit www.imdb.com .