National Film and Sound Archive

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is the nations living archive, collecting, preserving and sharing our rich audiovisual heritage.

Collection:

The national audiovisual collection holds more than 1.6 million works.

The collection includes films, television and radio programs, videos, audio tapes, records, compact discs, phonograph cylinders and wire recordings. It also encompasses documents and artefacts such as photographs, posters, lobby cards, publicity items, scripts, costumes, props, memorabilia, oral histories, and vintage equipment.

The NFSA aims to develop a collection that has enduring cultural significance. Our curatorial staff guide the acquisition of new material, and the way it is documented and presented.

Contact NFSA if you have:
-:- something you feel should be preserved as part of the collection
-:- additional information about works already in the collection
-:- stories to tell from experiences in the Australian film, television, radio or recorded sound industries
-:- something on the Most Wanted list

Preserving:

To safeguard the collection and slow the deterioration of media such as film and magnetic tape, items are carefully packaged and stored in secure climate-controlled vaults in the Canberra suburb of Mitchell.

The NFSA is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in active audiovisual preservation - we undertake delicate processes to restore and preserve original material or make the best copies possible. Our technical facilities are state of the art and our expertise has earned us widespread recognition.

This expertise is available on the NFSAs website through such resources as:
-:- a comprehensive technical glossary of audiovisual terms
-:- a film preservation handbook
-:- easy-to-follow guides to the care of your personal audio, video, film and still images.

Sharing:

The NFSA aims to develop interest in the cultural richness and diversity of our audiovisual heritage in all its forms by sharing the collection. We offer a range of ways for people to view, listen to, study, use and enjoy material from the collection as well as from other archives and cultural institutions around the world.

You can search the collection directly online for information about works and their availability for viewing, listening or use. Experienced reference staff can provide assistance in finding material for professional and personal research, screening, broadcast and the production of new programs. australianscreen provides worldwide online access to information about the Australian film and television industry.

The NFSA also presents innovative public programs such as exhibitions, events, performance works and screenings at its Canberra headquarters or through the Big Screen touring programs.

Friends of the NFSA:

The NFSA is supported by the Friends of the NFSA. The Friends is a group of volunteer advocates working to further the aims of the NFSA and to encourage links between the NFSA, the film and sound communities and the general community. To find out more and to become a Friend visit the Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia website.