Asian Film Archive Access

The Asian Film Archive (AFA) is a Singapore-based non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, research, and promotion of Asian cinematic heritage. Founded in January 2005, it serves as a critical cultural hub for independent Asian filmmakers and film enthusiasts, ensuring that at-risk films are saved for future generations. Mission and Significance

The Great Wipe: Why So Much is Lost

Before discussing preservation, one must confront the staggering scale of loss. Film historians estimate that over 80% of Asian silent films are lost forever, and for certain regions—like pre-Revolution China or pre-war Vietnam—the figure approaches 100%. asian film archive

Search your local archive. Donate your old reels. Watch a silent classic. Because a continent’s dreams are too precious to fade away. The Asian Film Archive (AFA) is a Singapore-based

Are you a filmmaker, historian, or collector? Contact the Asian Film Archive in Singapore or the National Film Archive in your country to learn about donation and digitization programs. Film historians estimate that over 80% of Asian

Asian Film Archive (AFA) is a critical cultural institution dedicated to preserving the rich and diverse cinematic heritage of Asia. For film enthusiasts, researchers, and casual viewers alike, it serves as more than just a storage house; it is a vibrant hub for discovering unique narratives that often fall outside the mainstream Hollywood lens. Why It Is Highly Regarded Unique Collection

The Silent Crisis: What Was Lost

Before praising what is saved, one must acknowledge the abyss. Experts estimate that over 80% of Asian silent films are lost forever. The reasons are specific to the region: the nitrate stock of early Thai and Filipino cinema decomposed in humid warehouses; the Japanese occupation led to the systematic destruction of propaganda and pre-war reels; the Khmer Rouge erased nearly 90% of Cambodia’s cinematic output. The AFA was founded in 2005 precisely to halt this hemorrhage. Its deep value lies not in its Hollywood partnerships, but in its obsession with the orphaned film—the newsreel forgotten in a Jakarta attic, the Cantonese opera film left to rot in a Kuala Lumpur shophouse.