FAQs

Our emphasis is on works by Asian filmmakers, and/or works about Asian communities. We are especially interested in critically acclaimed works by independent filmmakers whose films are not already archived and catalogued.

Accepted works include:

• film gauges and video format (35mm, 16mm, 8mm, super 8, digiBeta, BetaSP, miniDV, VHS, HD, DVD and others)
• born-digital materials and digital films (DPX, DCP, Apple ProRes, H.264, MP4, etc)
• length (short, medium or feature)
• genre (eg narrative, documentary, experimental or animation)
• film-related materials, such as stills, posters, storyboards, scripts, thesis and articles.

Yes. While our emphasis is on works by Asian filmmakers, we are also interested in works by non-Asian filmmakers who have made films in Asia, and/or about the Asian communities.

Yes. The Archive is interested in the works of filmmakers based in Asia as well as films on Asian communities made by filmmakers based around the world.

No. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit copies of their works as soon as they are made. By depositing early, works can be better archived than on hindsight, where materials could already be misplaced or lost.

With a predominantly tropical and humid environment in many parts of Asia, condition of film formats (including digital formats) can deteriorate rapidly if not kept properly. To ensure your films are preserved for posterity, all film masters are preserved in secure and 24-hour temperature and climate-controlled vaults to prolong their lifespan. Other materials such as scripts, stills, posters can be prolonged if kept in acid free packaging to prevent deterioration. All films and related materials are maintained and conserved in accordance with accepted standards of archival procedures.

No. The deposit of the films and film related materials does not constitute an assignment or transfer of the copyright or any other intellectual property rights. Unless explicitly expressed, any rights subsisting in the films and film related materials shall at all times remain vested in the relevant copyright owners.

All staff and volunteers of the AFA handling materials and information are carefully selected and are required to sign non-disclosure agreements to protect the confidentiality of information and materials submitted to AFA.

Archival of films is a continual process. The Archive encourages filmmakers to deposit films whenever possible to minimise further damage and/or the potential of them being misplaced. For film festivals and retrospectives, the AFA can liaise with the relevant organisations to assist in such screenings. We can help facilitate film traffic by shipping them to film festivals, and to ensure the copies are returned after the events. All expenses, taxes, duties related to the shipping, customs clearance, keeping, repair, and returning of the loaned films are to be borne by the borrower.

We understand the need to withhold public access to films that are awaiting premieres and can do so for a definite period until the appropriate time for release to the public.

With agreement from the filmmaker, the Asian Film Archive will

1. Provide public reference copies of the films within a library premise
2. Promote the films through organised community programmes
3. Include films for viewing via AFA’s online platforms

No. The Archive provides preservation service to filmmakers as part of its mission to save, explore and share the Asian cinematic heritage. The Archive is a not-for-profit organisation.

No. The Archive will bear all costs relating to documentation, logistics, safekeeping, maintenance and promotion of the films.

All activities will be non-commercial in nature as the Archive is a non-profit organisation. Any proceeds will go to the preservation and cultural mission of the Archive, and not to the commercial reward of any individual, group or organisation. Your consent will be sought should a film be selected for a commercial exhibition or if there is a request by external parties for screening. You reserve the right to charge a screening/usage fee for these external requests.

The AFA does not circulate films from its collection by request of external parties without the permission of the rights owner. We encourage users to visit the AFA’s reference collection housed at the library@esplanade or at its administrative office at the National Library Building.

Films that are part of the AFA collection can be accessed, loaned and watched in the screening room at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at the National Library Building (L11), or at library@esplanade.