The Asian Film Archive is a non-governmental organisation founded to preserve the rich film heritage of Singapore and Asian Cinema, to encourage scholarly research on film, and to promote a wider critical appreciation of this art form. As an important nexus, it brings together the various segments of the Asian film community in order to open and enrich new intellectual, educational and creative spaces.

Films from Asia regularly win awards from the most important international festivals. Southeast Asia is the site of the new Asian digital cinema movement. It is most unfortunate that these works are generally inaccessible once the film festivals end. These films are rarely released commercially in theatres or distributed otherwise - those who attempt are often overwhelmed by the power of Hollywood's marketing dollar. With the expanding interest in contemporary scholarship and a growing appreciation of film as a cultural and historical document, these orphan films have earned their place and right to be archived.

Without a doubt, Asia's creative industries are gaining global attention. Coming from various countries with different cultures, films from Asia are increasingly hybrids of cross-border and cross-cultural influence. This has brought about a sense of cosmopolitanism and transnationalism. With an increasing self-awareness of the Asian diaspora, contemporary Asian political and cultural issues are constantly represented in fresh cinematic works. With Singapore's uniquely multi-cultural character, we create the ideal leverage for the development of an Asian Film Archive, which would collect acclaimed Asian works.

To nurture the Asian film community, the Asian Film Archive aspires to be much more than just a repository of film and tape. It is to be a hub for the film community, contributing to culture, scholarship and industry.

Incorporated on the 1st day of 2005 as a non-profit organization, the Asian Film Archive is a charity based in Singapore, and an Institution of Public Character with the National Heritage Fund.