Film Preservation Workshop in Pune

Summary of the Workshop on Film Preservation and Restoration

Organizers and Dates:

• Organized by: National Film Development Corporation - National Film Archive of India (NFDC-NFAI) in collaboration with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
• Dates: October 5-15, 2026 (excluding weekends).

Workshop Focus:

• The workshop is dedicated to the preservation, archiving, digitization, and restoration of moving images (films).
• Target Audience: Students, future professionals, researchers, and individuals interested in film preservation and audiovisual heritage.

Key Components of the Workshop:

1. Sessions and Training:

   • Classroom sessions, practical demonstrations, hands-on training, institutional tours, and screenings of archival and restored films.
   • Topics covered include:
     • Film preservation techniques,
     • Metadata, digital preservation,
     • Types and bases of films,
     • Preventive conservation,
     • Digital film restoration,
     • Paper conservation,
     • Audio restoration.

2. Practical Training:

   • Identification, inspection, and maintenance of films,
   • Manual film cleaning,
   • Projection of celluloid and digital films,
   • Film scanning and digitization.

3. Technical Learning:

   • Knowledge about film scanners, picture and audio scanning,
   • Storage requirements,
   • Color grading and quality control.

4. Institutional Tours:

   • Visits to NFDC-NFAI, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, and Reserve Bank of India Archives.
   • Focus on preservation, documentation, and management perspectives.

5. International Perspective:

   • Special session on methodologies adopted by the Thai Film Archive.

6. Screenings:

   • Presentations of archival and restored films in 35mm and digital formats.

Collaboration and Expertise:

• Professional Experience: Collaboration with Prasad Corp for technical expertise and equipment in film maintenance and digital restoration.

Administrative Details:

• Course Director: Aparna Subramanyan.
• Participant Limit: Maximum of 24 participants.
• Course Fee: ₹12,000 per participant.
• Contact for Registration: FTII at 020-2553 0085 or via email at [email protected] / [email protected].

Quotes from Organizers:

• Dheeraj Singh (FTII President): Emphasized the integration of film education and heritage preservation, providing participants with academic study and practical experience.
• Prakash Magdum (MD, NFDC): Highlighted the initiative as a means to share institutional experiences and skills with students and emerging professionals, fostering interest in film preservation.
• Abhishek Prasad (Director, Prasad Corp): Stressed the importance of sharing industry experience and technology to prepare the next generation of professionals in the preservation field.

Importance of the Workshop:

This initiative aims to enhance knowledge and skills in film preservation and restoration, addressing the growing need for professionals in this field and contributing to the safeguarding of cinematic heritage.