Established in 1964 by the Government of India as part of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) is an organization meant to safeguard the heritage of Indian and world cinema.
It collects and screens films from all over the country, which includes all film genres and box-office hits, films screened at various international film festivals, adaptations from literary works, foreign films representing Indian cultures, as well as major films from different countries. Books and periodicals on Indian and world cinema, historical documents, song booklets, still photographs, wall posters, pamphlets, folders, disc records, lobby cards, press clippings and other film memorabilia are also collected and preserved.
The National Film Archive of India has a well-stocked library of books, periodicals, and other artifacts of cinema and related arts. It is open to students, researchers, journalists and others interested in visual media.
NFAI promotes research and academic activities in Film Studies. Regular joint screening programs at major cities like Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram initiate audiences in the fascinating history of Indian and world cinema. The Film Appreciation Course conducted by the Archives in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India offers an excellent introduction to Film and Visual Culture Studies.
With its headquarters at Pune, the NFAI has three regional offices at Bangalore, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram.
