National Film Archive of India

The NFDC-National Film Archive of India (NFAI), located in Pune, Maharashtra is dedicated to identifying, acquiring and preserving the rich heritage of Indian cinema, along with a representative collection of world cinema. Its goals include documenting film-related data, encouraging research on cinema, promoting film culture within India and supporting the global recognition of Indian cinema. Since 1969, it has been a member of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF).

NFAI offers a variety of services to support historical and scholarly research, as well as the appreciation of films. The services include, Theatre facility, Film circles, Book Library, Film Distribution Library, Lending of films, Film acquisition and Deposit policy. 

Its Research and Documentation Section holds an extensive collection that spans the entire history of Indian cinema. This includes over 203,000 still photographs, 40,919 film posters, 24,797 song booklets, lobby cards, and around 228,000 press clippings. To ensure the preservation of these materials, the archive has digitized its photo and paper collection, minimizing the need for handling the original items.

The archive houses thousands of films from every major Indian language, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi and many more. This diverse collection spans several decades, from the early silent films like Raja Harishchandra (1913) to the contemporary cinematic masterpieces. 

In 2015, the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) was launched to further preserve and restore India’s film heritage. This ambitious project, with a budget of Rs. 597 crore, brought in international experts like film preservationists Milton Shefter and Rick Utley to assist with the efforts.

In addition to being a research facility, the NFAI actively contributes to the educational sector by conducting workshops, courses, exhibitions and events for students and filmmakers alike. It organizes regular screenings of both restored classics and lesser-known gems. These screenings are often accompanied by discussions, allowing audiences to engage with film critics, historians, and filmmakers. By doing so, it not only preserves the history of Indian cinema but also nurtures its future. 

For anyone eager to dive into the rich history of Indian cinema or learn about the ongoing preservation efforts, the NFAI is an essential resource. With its extensive collection, educational initiatives and outreach programs, the National Film Archive of India plays a pivotal role in preserving the cultural legacy of Indian cinema for future generations. To explore more about their work, you can visit their website or follow them on Instagram for updates and insights into their invaluable efforts.

Website Link : https://nfai.nfdcindia.com/index.php

Instagram Link :  https://www.instagram.com/nfdcindia/?hl=en


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