National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, National audiovisual archive in Acton, Australia
The National Film and Sound Archive is an audiovisual repository holding over four million items, including films, television programs, sound recordings, and digital media from Australia. The collection is accessible through a digital streaming platform that offers curated titles for public viewing.
The institution started in 1935 as the National Historical Film and Speaking Record Library, initially operating within the Commonwealth National Library. It gained independence in 1984 and has since developed as a standalone archive.
The archive holds the Cinesound Movietone Australian Newsreel Collection, which documents major events from Australian history through moving images. These films show how Australians recorded their most important moments across decades.
Access to the collection is provided through an online streaming platform where visitors can watch curated titles without visiting the physical location. This digital approach makes most holdings available from anywhere.
The archive preserves The Story of the Kelly Gang from 1906, recognized as the world's first full-length narrative feature film. This milestone demonstrates early Australian innovation in cinema.
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