The BFI National Archive is the UK’s most diverse collection of film, video and digital content, from 1895 to today. Whether you’re an independent filmmaker, production company or estate executor, preserve your work for the future and become a part of film history.
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How we select works
Works must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Aesthetic: a high-quality production, showing excellence in areas such as subject matter, script, direction, performance or overall production values
- Impact: it’s innovative, significantly influenced filmmaking practice, or was widely seen and has become a key cultural reference point in the UK
- Technical: it showcases a notable development in filmmaking technique, demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship or helps explain how a particular type of work is made
We can only archive a limited number of works each year, so meeting these criteria doesn’t guarantee we’ll select your work.
Why donate?
1. Protect your work
Our expert team uses the latest technology to protect your work from damage or loss.
2. Stay in control
Help us keep the archive accessible by donating your work and copyright, or choose to keep the rights.
3. Leave a legacy
Leave a lasting impact and reach more people. Your work could feature at BFI screenings, exhibitions and events.
How the process works
Archive curators are actively searching for works old and new to be added to the collection, but we’d love to hear from you too.
1. Get in touch
Check what works we accept and get in touch if you’re interested. We’ll pair you with an archivist to guide you through the process.
2. Tell us about your work
We’ll need to know title, date, duration, format, size, and a summary of the content and any release history. What is your connection to the work and materials?
3. We review your submission
We’ll check whether your work is the right fit for the archive. If we select your work, we’ll send you an agreement to read through.
4. Transfer your files
After you’ve signed the agreement, transfer your files securely online and do some digital checks.
5. We archive your work
We’ll check your files, catalogue your work, and let you know once it’s in the BFI National Archive.
The work of the archive
Why donors choose to preserve their work with us.
Works we accept and don’t accept
We welcome donations that reflect the creativity, history, diversity and cultural impact of moving image in the UK.
We accept:
- British feature films: fiction and non-fiction films released in cinemas, online or on streaming platforms
- British TV programmes: from broadcasters and streaming or cable services
- Work by underrepresented creators: especially Black and global majority communities, women, and disabled people
- Digital content: from platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and X
- Physical and digital formats: DVDs, Blu-ray and digital files
- Short films and online work: including animation, artist film, adverts, vlogs, documentaries, music videos, campaign films and GIFs
- Special collections: scripts, stills, posters, artwork, publicity material, and personal papers from British film and TV creators
- Books and publications: supporting research into the art, history and cultural role of film
We prioritise:
- Complete works (not just clips, trailers or excerpts)
- Material that completes or enhances existing collections
- Items with full usage and title rights
- Works that are innovative, historically important, widely seen or technically significant
We don’t accept:
- Non-British or global films, TV and digital content: unless they’re important to the BFI’s cultural programme or UK history
- Objects not directly tied to the moving image: our focus is on paper and digital archives, not 3D items or memorabilia
- Props, costumes and equipment: including cameras, projectors, editing gear, or parts of buildings like cinema seats or signage
- Unedited or raw footage: or recordings like CCTV and security cameras, unless they’re essential for understanding film culture