Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic roll transfer allows a film web winding onto a completed roll on a continuous film winder to be severed, and an incoming edge of the film web to be transferred onto a new core. A cylindrical housing having an external surface with an aperture extending therethrough is rotatably supported along a longitudinal axis thereof. A knife is held in a retracted position within the housing, the knife movably supported by the housing so as to allow the knife to move along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis from the retracted position through the aperture to a cutting position. The apparatus includes elements to rotate the housing, to position the rotating housing adjacent to the film web, and to subsequently release the knife, thereby causing the knife to move from the retracted position to the cutting position and sever the film web.