The newly restored Library, with almost 300 collection items on show, at the National Film and Sound Archive. Photo: NFSA.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) is Australia’s national audio-visual cultural institution. They collect, preserve and share Australia’s audio-visual culture.
Australians were early adopters of film and sound technologies, and the appetite to make, enjoy and discuss audio-visual culture remains strong.
From the earliest recordings in the 1890s to the latest games and immersive digital productions, the NFSA collection represents not only our technical and artistic achievements, but also Australia’s stories, obsessions and myths, triumphs and sorrows, who we were, are, and want to be.
Today, the collection includes not only video and audio recordings, but also contextual materials such as costumes, scripts, props, photographs and promotional materials. It is a diverse, dynamic and often surprising repository, ranging from items inducted into the UNESCO Memory of the World register to sporting matches, game shows and advertising jingles.
As well as preserving these items for future generations, NFSA curators continue to build the collection, ensuring it provides an unbroken record of Australian creativity and diversity.
The NFSA ensures that the collection is available for enjoyment, learning, research and re-use through a range of public programs and services. These include Sounds of Australia, NFSA Restores, screenings and events, and learning programs delivered online and at their headquarters in Acton, Canberra.
