Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1946- (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
12,000 film cans; 8,000 video tapes
Context area
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
UNESCO Division of Public Information
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The UNESCO film archives consist of an estimated 12,000 film cans (4,000 hours of film) on 16- and 35-mm acetate film, dating from the 1940s to the 1980s. They are divided into three parts:
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The archives of film productions, containing about 7500 film cans of material produced by UNESCO itself.
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The archives of reference films, containing about 1100 works which not have been produced by UNESCO itself but have been given to the organisation by NGOs, foreign film producers or member states.
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The archives of distributed films, containing around 2500 copies of 210 films. These films have been produced by the organisation and concern different programmes or projects.
Online search of a portion of Unesco film material is possible via: UNESCO Archives Multimedia Database. Digitizing Our Shared Unesco History
All other film material is indexed in an electronic database, originally created and maintained by the Division of Public Information.
For questions regarding access to the film archives, or to request a search for film titles in the electronic database, please contact: archives@unesco.org
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
Further accruals expected
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of UNESCO-copyrighted film material possible upon request.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
1945-1988 film material
1988-1988 3/4 Inch (BVU, Umatic)
Since 1988 BETA SP, BETA NUM DV CAM
Finding aids
AG 12/1: UNESCO Film Reference Library catalogues. 1951 ; 1953 September ; 1958 July ; 1972 (paper copy only) ; 1973-1974, first supplement ; 1975-1980, second supplement (paper copy only) ; 1989
AG 12/1: UNESCO Films 16 mm 1968 (selected list)
AG 12/1: UNESCO films 16 mm, 1975 (selected list) (paper copy only);
AG 12/1: Films of the UN Family: Catalogue of films on international development, 1973 (paper copy only)
AG 12/1: Films of the UN Family: 16 mm. Catalogue, 1980-1981 (paper copy only)
AG 12/1: filmtvfilm, 1969
AG 12/1: UNESCO Catalogue: photos, films, filmstrips, 1974 (paper copy only)
AG 12/1: UNESCO Film and video catalogue, 1987-1988 (paper copy only)
AG 12/1: UNESCO video catalogue, 1992
AG 12/1: UNESCO: television video catalogue
AG 12/1: UNESCO: video programmes (VHS)
AG 12/1: Bureau of Public Information (BPI): indexes on cards to films, 1945-
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The majority of the film collection is kept in a film depot in UNESCO headquarters, Paris.
Copies of UNESCO films produced before 1960 on the easily inflammable cellulose nitrate are kept by the National Centre of the French National Film Archives, Bois d’Arcy.
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Draft
Level of detail
Partial