ALIPH Launches Global Initiative to Preserve Cinematic Heritage in Vulnerable Regions

Preserving Visual History: A Global Call to Action

The Urgent Need for Film Heritage Protection

An alarming statistic reveals that merely one-fifth of the world's film heritage has been successfully preserved. This underscores the pressing necessity for concerted efforts to protect these invaluable cultural artifacts, which capture human history, artistry, and societal narratives.

ALIPH's Entry into Cinematic Preservation

The International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) has officially announced its inaugural program dedicated to film and audiovisual heritage. Unveiled at the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, this comprehensive initiative will encompass emergency response, long-term preservation strategies, development of physical infrastructure, and specialized training.

Foundational Support and Extensive Experience

Established in 2017 with a unique public-private partnership model, ALIPH benefits from the support of prominent entities such as the Getty Trust, Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, and the Leon Levy Foundation. Over the past decade, the Geneva-based organization has successfully executed 640 projects across 65 nations, allocating $138 million to protect diverse forms of endangered cultural heritage. Their expansion into the film sector represents a new frontier for their proven expertise.

Pilot Projects: Addressing Critical Threats in Ukraine, Syria, and Indonesia

ALIPH has identified three critical pilot projects to launch this new program. In Ukraine, the Dovzhenko Centre in Kyiv, home to a vast collection of approximately 62,000 films and 300,000 reels, suffered a damaging strike in June. The project will assess the condition of at-risk materials, secure appropriate storage solutions, and facilitate the relocation of collections as needed. Syria's National Film Archives have been severely impacted by prolonged conflict, leading to the degradation of storage and technical facilities. ALIPH's intervention aims to protect these collections while rebuilding the institutional capacity for their ongoing maintenance within the country. In Indonesia, Sinematek Indonesia faces challenges with overcrowded archives and environmental threats like humidity. The project will focus on improving temperature and humidity control, enhancing cataloging systems, and developing staff expertise.

Funding and Future Ambitions for Global Preservation

An initial investment of $500,000 has been allocated for emergency projects in the current year. ALIPH has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $15 million to ensure the program's continuity through 2032. Beyond the initial pilot sites, the program is also actively exploring potential projects in Cambodia, Lebanon, Myanmar, the Philippines, and across the broader Pacific region, demonstrating a commitment to global cinematic heritage protection.