Emphasis is on works by Southeast Asian filmmakers. We are especially interested in critically acclaimed works by independent filmmakers whose films are not well archived and catalogued.

Accepted works include:
- film gauges and video format (35mm, 16mm, 8mm, super 8, digiBeta, BetaSP, miniDV, VHS, HD, DVD and others)
- length (short, medium or feature)
- genre (narrative, documentary, experimental or animation)
- film-related materials, such as stills, posters, storyboards, scripts, festival catalogues, thesis and articles.

Yes. The Archive does collect Asian films. Emphasis is given to works by Southeast Asian filmmakers. (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, The Philippines).

For more details, please refer to our collection guidelines.

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

For more details, please refer to our collection guidelines.

No. In fact, the Archive encourages filmmakers to submit copies of their works as soon as they are made. By engaging us early, works can be better archived than on hindsight, where materials might already be misplaced or lost.

The focus of the Asian Film Archive is on the culturally important works of living independent Asian filmmakers that are not well archived.

Archival of films is a continuing process. The Archive encourages filmmakers to submit early to minimise further damage of their works and/or the potential of them being misplaced.

In a tropical environment like Southeast Asia, films (including digital formats) can disintegrate rapidly if not kept properly. To ensure your films are preserved for posterity, all film masters are kept 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. 

The Archive is set up with the following mission:

SAVE We preserve our collection in a climate controlled environment for posterity.

EXPLORE We build cultural value on our collection through research, education and publication.

SHARE We make films accessible to the public to provide sources of inspiration for creative processes, teaching, and research.

Beyond archival, the Asian Film Archive also promotes films in its collection and makes them accessible to the public through a reference library, educational activities, and screenings.

No. The deposit of the films and materials related to the films 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.

Yes. However, to avoid damage to the original films, Asian Film Archive strongly recommends not moving master copies out of the Archive unnecessarily.

For film festivals and retrospectives, Asian Film Archive can and has liaised with the relevant organisations to assist in such screenings. While AFA will help to promote films in the collection so that more people can watch them, it recommends the use of screening copies instead of the originals/masters, whenever possible, for such purposes.

Donation of one’s film (film print, mini DV, DVD, etc) to Asian Film Archive is considered as donation in kind. This means that the filmmaker will donate part of, or all the proceeds collected from activities Asian Film Archive organized with the film. These may include film screenings, DVD compilations and publications by Asian Film Archive. In events where films are slated for an activity or project, the Archive would seek the filmmaker's approval before use.

 

The Archive prefers to liaise with the filmmaker(s) directly, either the director or the producer. This is to verify information submitted for archival and for future correspondence. The Archive encourages filmmakers to submit a secondary point of contact as well as for backup. The Archive also accepts representative(s) appointed by the filmmaker.

No. The online submission form is to provide sufficient information so that Asian Film Archive can follow up with the filmmakers and collect the DVD/VCD screeners for consideration.

Upon receiving your online submission, Asian Film Archive will arrange to collect your screeners (preferably in DVD or VCD format). Filmmakers can also send their screeners to us at the address below.

Asian Film Archive
c/o Library Supply Centre
3 Changi South Street 2
Xilin Districentre Building B
#02-00
Singapore 486548

An acknowledgement will be sent to the filmmaker upon receipt of the screeners.

Due to space and cost constraints, films that are of cultural and historical significance, will receive higher priority. More details on the selection criteria can be found in our collection guidelines.

If this is indicated in your online submission form, you will be contacted by AFA on more information about your films. Possession of only the original film print will not affect the decision for archival consideration as the Archive will accept other formats even if there are no ready DVD/VCD screeners. 

With agreement from the filmmaker, Asian Film Archive will

1) Provide reference copies of the films within a library premise
2) Promote the films through exhibition
3) Screen the films through Asian Film Archive’s film programme

All activities will be non-commercial in nature as Asian Film Archive is a non-profit and non-governmental organization. Any proceeds will go to the preservation and cultural mission of the Archive, and not to the commercial reward of any individual, group or organization. Your consent will be sought should a film be selected for screening or if there is a request by external parties for screening.

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

No. The Archive see ourselves as providing a service to filmmakers to preserve their works and to the community for preserving our film heritage. The Asian Film Archive is a non-profit and non-governmental organization founded to save, explore and share the art of Asian Cinema. The Archive is not a profit driven commercial entity.

You will be notified if your films are not selected for archival. However, if you need the screeners to be sent back, please enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope for the screeners to be mailed back to you.