What is the National Film and Sound Archive?
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, or NFSA, in Canberra collects and preserves Australia's audiovisual heritage, including films, television, radio, recorded music, video games and websites.
The NFSA holds millions of items, from early silent films and wax cylinder recordings to modern digital media. It works to preserve fragile formats before they deteriorate and to digitise them for future generations.
Its art deco headquarters in the Canberra suburb of Acton was originally built in 1930 for the Australian Institute of Anatomy. It features decorations inspired by Australian plants and animals.
Treasures
The collection includes fragments of The Story of the Kelly Gang, made in 1906 and often described as the world's first full-length feature film, along with recordings by famous Australian performers.
The NFSA's Sounds of Australia registry lists recordings of cultural or historical importance, such as Waltzing Matilda recordings and famous radio broadcasts.
The archive runs screenings, exhibitions and online collections, and researchers can access its holdings by appointment.
Did You Know?
The Story of the Kelly Gang was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2007.