The film collections preserved in archives trace an inclusive global history of cinema, encompassing not only celebrated canonical films but also lesser-known treasures. Rather than remaining locked away in vaults, these collections find a new life when shared and reinterpreted. Through diverse approaches to programming, memories of the past are revealed, influencing how we understand the world we inhabit today.
Across six sessions, this year's programme brings together research projects and archival practices from around the globe that offer innovative approaches to programming collections. Together with archivists, researchers and film professionals, we explore topics such as programming Palestinian cinema as a form of resistance, digitising films at the margins of Brazilian film history, rediscovering a 1960s independent film festival in Istanbul, and activating Catalan film heritage.
Public lecture series
This is Film! 2026
Film Heritage in Practice
4 March — 13 May 2026
still Coração Materno (Haroldo Barradas, BR 1974)
This year, the overarching theme of the series is ‘The Future of Film Programming’, in line with the Eye International Conference 2026.
This is Film! Film Heritage in Practice is an annual public lecture series in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam devoted to notable projects in the fields of film restoration and film heritage, with international guest speakers and film screenings.
still Histerias (Inês Castilho, BR 1985)
still They Do Not Exist (Mustafa Abu Ali, LB 1974)
setfoto / set photo Umbracle (Pere Portabella, ES 1972)
Film, Talks & Discussion
Each session will feature a short introduction followed by a lecture and Q&A with an international expert on the topic and a film screening.
In collaboration with
still Zürafa Street (Özcan Arca, TR 1968) (courtesy of Salt Research)
still Zürafa Street (Özcan Arca, TR 1968) (courtesy of Salt Research)
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