Saving the World’s Film and Audiovisual Heritage with ALIPH

A new ALIPH program for film and audiovisual heritage at risk addresses one of the sector’s most urgent challenges: safeguarding the world’s moving-image history before it is lost.  At a time when only an estimated 20% of the world’s film heritage has been safeguarded, the initiative responds to a growing preservation challenge. As analogue collections enter a critical period, film reels deteriorate, storage facilities age, specialised equipment becomes harder to maintain, and technical expertise is progressively lost. These risks are compounded by conflict, climate-related threats and limited archival capacity, while moving-image heritage remains largely overlooked by international heritage protection frameworks. The program aims to support local institutions and professionals already engaged in preservation efforts by providing the infrastructure, equipment, training and resources required to sustain their work over the long term and valorize their collections.  

A new ambition for ALIPH. Over the past decade, the Geneva-based International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage has supported 640 projects in 65 countries, representing a total investment of $140 million for the protection of endangered cultural heritage. ALIPH will manage the 2027-2032 Program for the Safeguarding of Cinematographic and Audiovisual Heritage at Risk, with initial projects identified, particularly in Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, and Indonesia. ALIPH will allocate an initial envelope of USD 500,000 this year to fund emergency projects within this scope. ALIPH’s goal is to expand its donor base and raise USD 15M to support this program for the period 2027-2032. France will contribute USD 5M to the initiative. 

Led by ALIPH
Launching autumn 2026
3 pilots projects Ukraine, Syria, Indonesia