FILMar — Digitization of film heritage

FILMar was launched to preserve and promote Portugal's film heritage, which was at risk of being lost due to physical degradation and limited accessibility. Many historical films were stored in obsolete formats, restricting public access to these cultural assets. To address this, the project modernised preservation methods, digitised films, and made them available to wider audiences, ensuring their long-term survival and cultural relevance. A state-of-the-art digital laboratory was established at the National Archive of Moving Images, enabling large-scale digitisation. Additionally, the project developed strategies to promote these films through public screenings, exhibitions, and educational programmes. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it adapted by expanding its reach to more cities and leveraging digital platforms. The project exceeded expectations by digitising 267 films, totalling 10,531 minutes of footage. It organised 502 screenings in 45 cities, greatly exceeding the planned 25 screenings in 6 cities. Further outputs included five exhibitions, five books, one DVD, and 14 episodes in a Portuguese public broadcaster show related to cinema that reached 200,000+ viewers. International collaboration with the Norsk Filminstitutt facilitated knowledge exchange and co-hosted screenings, strengthening cultural ties. The project benefited the general public by increasing access to Portugal’s film heritage, while film professionals, educators, and cultural institutions gained new resources for research, education, and preservation. International audiences engaged with Portuguese cinema through festivals and collaborations, enhancing cultural diplomacy. FILMar’s sustainable approach ensures continued digitisation efforts and public engagement, with plans for ongoing cooperation with Norwegian partners. By integrating film heritage into education and public discourse, the project has revitalised Portugal’s cinematic legacy for future generations.