National Film Heritage Mission

India has a rich history of cinema, with a diverse range of films that showcase the country’s culture and traditions. Unfortunately, many of these films are at risk of being lost forever due to deterioration and neglect. To address this issue, the Indian government’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting established the National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM). In this article, we will explore the mission’s objectives, ongoing projects, and impact.

Objectives of the National Film Heritage Mission

The NFHM was launched in 2013 with the objective of preserving India’s film heritage for the next hundred years. The mission aims to digitize and restore old films, documentaries, and other related materials. The goal is to ensure that future generations can access and appreciate India’s cinematic legacy.

The mission also seeks to establish a national-level archive for Indian films, with state-of-the-art facilities for storage, restoration, and preservation. This archive would be a one-stop destination for film researchers, students, and enthusiasts. The NFHM also aims to promote the use of archival materials for academic and research purposes.

Ongoing Projects under the National Film Heritage Mission

The NFHM has several ongoing projects that focus on digitization, conservation, and restoration of films. Let’s take a closer look at each of these projects.

• Digitization: Under this project, old films, documentaries, and other related materials are digitized to ensure their long-term preservation. The NFHM uses high-quality scanners and other equipment to create digital copies of these films. So far, over 1,200 films have been digitized, with plans to digitize many more in the coming years.
• Conservation: The conservation project aims to protect celluloid films and other related materials from damage and deterioration. The NFHM has established a state-of-the-art facility for this purpose, equipped with temperature and humidity-controlled environments. Over 1,400 celluloid reels have been conserved so far, with plans to conserve many more in the future.
• Restoration: The restoration project focuses on repairing damaged films and restoring them to their original condition. The NFHM has a team of experts who use the latest technology to repair damaged frames, remove scratches and stains, and enhance the overall visual quality of the films. The restored films are then digitized for long-term preservation.

Impact of the National Film Heritage Mission

The NFHM has had a significant impact on the preservation of India’s film heritage. Since its launch in 2013, the mission has digitized over 1,200 films and conserved over 1,400 celluloid reels. This has ensured the preservation of these films for future generations.

The NFHM has also raised awareness about the importance of preserving India’s cinematic legacy. The mission has encouraged filmmakers, studios, and other stakeholders to take proactive measures to protect their films and related materials. This has led to the establishment of several private archives and preservation initiatives.