Cinemateca Nacional began preventive transfer of its Film Archive to protect the audiovisual heritage

Published at: 13/07/2026 08:13 AM

The National Cinemateca Foundation activated the protocol for the preventive transfer of the most vulnerable materials from its Film Archive, kept in the National Library, in the Liberator Forum of Caracas, as part of the protection measures adopted after the technical evaluation carried out after the double earthquake of last June 24.

This was reported by the president of the National Cinematheque, Rosa Raydán, who indicated that the inspections determined that the collections were not physically damaged; however, the detection of occasional damage to the building's infrastructure motivated the execution of a contingency plan, in coordination with different State agencies, to ensure the preservation of the country's audiovisual heritage.

He pointed out that in this first phase, the material stored in the Film Matrix Preservation Cellar, located on level AP5, will be transferred, where about 6,000 cans of 16 and 35 millimeter films are stored in acetate, containing image negatives, sound and unique copies of Venezuelan cinema. In turn, the poster and photo archive located at level AP4 will be mobilized.

He also explained that these materials require strict temperature and humidity conditions to avoid deterioration, so the transfer will ensure their adequate conservation.

In addition, he added that, in a second phase, the rest of the AP4 level film collection will be mobilized, consisting of more than 25,000 national and international titles in different formats; as well as specialized equipment for the digitization and manipulation of audiovisual material.

He specified that the entire operation will be carried out under international film preservation and archival protocols, with the purpose of safeguarding the integrity of specialized personnel and protecting the Film Archive of the National Cinematheque, considered the main audiovisual historical heritage of Venezuela.

MINCULTURE /Mazo News Team