Teaching Workshop: Film Archives: Conservation and Presentation of Film Heritage
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the workshop is to introduce the fundamental notions concerning the institutions that deal with film heritage: cinémathèques, archives and cinema museums.
Object: the history and origins of these institutions in Italy and abroad, their mission linked to conservation, preservation, restoration, dissemination and enhancement of heritage, and how these activities and objectives are pursued and modulated by the institutions that we commonly call film archives. Students will acquire practical knowledge about the organization and functioning of these institutions through the analysis and discussion of specific cases and through simulations and group work.
Object: the history and origins of these institutions in Italy and abroad, their mission linked to conservation, preservation, restoration, dissemination and enhancement of heritage, and how these activities and objectives are pursued and modulated by the institutions that we commonly call film archives. Students will acquire practical knowledge about the organization and functioning of these institutions through the analysis and discussion of specific cases and through simulations and group work.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the workshop, students will have acquired the historical, cultural, and organizational concepts related to the institutions that deal with film heritage. They will also have assimilated the first bases of the main activities carried out by the film archives, in particular the conservation, restoration, cataloguing, and web presentation of the heritage.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Topics covered in the laboratory program:
- What film archives are and what they do.
- Outline of the history of the film archive movement.
- The material nature of film. Film and digital: formats and physical characteristics.
- Basics of film cataloguing and identification.
- What film restoration is.
- Web-based practices for the promotion and enhancement of film heritage.
- The FIAF (International Federation of Film Archives) Code of Ethics.
- Debunking: dispelling myths and legends about film archives.
- What film archives are and what they do.
- Outline of the history of the film archive movement.
- The material nature of film. Film and digital: formats and physical characteristics.
- Basics of film cataloguing and identification.
- What film restoration is.
- Web-based practices for the promotion and enhancement of film heritage.
- The FIAF (International Federation of Film Archives) Code of Ethics.
- Debunking: dispelling myths and legends about film archives.
Prerequisites for admission
To participate in the workshop, it would be preferable to already have a basic knowledge of film history.
Participants are required to be willing to actively contribute to the work and classroom discussions, and to take part in the scheduled off-site meetings.
Participants are required to be willing to actively contribute to the work and classroom discussions, and to take part in the scheduled off-site meetings.
Teaching methods
The teaching method involves the active participation of students, including shared reflection on some assigned readings.
Visits will be organized to Milan-based and other institutions involved in audiovisual preservation and promotion.
Visits will be organized to Milan-based and other institutions involved in audiovisual preservation and promotion.
Teaching Resources
Reference materials include readings, videos, and webpages, which will be made available during classes.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The learning outcomes will be assessed through dialogue and in-class work.
Professor(s)