The National Film Archive in Prague belongs to ten oldest film archives in the world.
Based on the §80 Act No. 499/2004 Coll. is the National Film Archive accredited specialized archive and its function is collection, preservation, scientific processing and using of audiovisual archival materials which document national film production, genesis and development of film art, life of the Czech nation and important world events.
At present the NFA takes care of more than 150 millions film metres, 600 thousands photographs, 30 thousands posters, 100 thousand advert materials, large archive of the Czech film and film library.
It was founded by the Czech-Moravian Film Centre in 1943 to protect film materials against war operations. Since 1946 is a member of International Federation of Film Archives FIAF (Fédération Internationale des Archives du Film) and in 1997 became a founder member of Asociation of European Cinematheques ACE (Association des Cinémathèques Européenes). Film archive organized three congresses of FIAF (1958 – Prague, 1980 – Karlovy Vary, 1998 – Prague). In spring 1968 organized in co-operation with FIAF in Zlín first international seminar on old film identification.
In 1992 was archive transformed as a part of the Czechoslovak film institute by decision of Minister of culture of the Czech Republic into independent National film archive. Change was confirmed by law No. 273/1993 of Chamber of Deputies of Parliament ČR and presently is NFA one of the most important national cultural institutions in the Czech Republic.
The National Film Archive offers especially:
- a possibility to use Czech (Czechoslovak) films and film materials, published till 31. 12. 1964 and materials of contemporary documentation including professional co-operation e.g. for searching of celebrities, theme researches etc.
- special fund of Czech and foreign films for screening of film clubs and civil associations engaged in film
- possibility of voluntary deposit of existing or newly created film works, cost free storing of duplicating and securing film materials in permanent archive care
- access to collections within school and education screening, eventually other study and scientific activities
- expert consultancies, eventually professional co-operation in Czech and foreign projects from the sphere preservation, processing, cataloguing process, research, film theory and history and film archival materials
- NFA specialized publications: repertory catalogues Český hraný film I - V, Filmová ročenka, monthly Filmový přehled, quarterly on film theory, history and aesthetics Iluminace, publication in Library Iluminace edition and others
- Own editing activities of NFA in the audiovision sphere
The National Film Archive has based on the Act No. 121/2000 Coll. and many other legal regulations management right with Czech films which premiere was till 31. 12. 1964.
Where next?...
Contacts and where you find us
Duty of offer and voluntary deposit