National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute

The National Film Archive – Audiovisual Institute is a Polish state cultural institution based in Warsaw, established on April 29, 1955. Initially operating as the Central Film Archive, it underwent several name changes before adopting its current name following a merger with the National Audiovisual Institute in 2017. The institution’s mission is to collect, preserve, restore, and provide access to the national audiovisual heritage, as well as to produce cultural works and engage in educational activities. FInA houses one of the largest film archives in Europe, encompassing film, audiovisual, photographic, and literary collections. The entire collection is overseen by the Head Curator, Grażyna M. Grabowska. Within the institution, the Fototeka showcases extensive photographic resources related to the history of Polish cinema, while Gapla is a service dedicated to Polish film graphics. Fototeka has been awarded by the Polish Film Institute, and its resources can be browsed through multi-thematic categories. Gapla, on the other hand, documents the richness of Polish film posters, whose history dates back to the 1960s. The institution has gained recognition in the film community and was honored with the Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis. The directors of the institution have played a significant role in its development, with the current acting director being Jarosław Czuba (since 2024). The National Film Archive is a member of the International Federation of Film Archives, and its collections serve as a valuable resource for knowledge about Polish cinema and its creators.