The need for preserving film as art and historical documents has been recognized all over the world. The task of preserving cinema in all its varied expressions and forms is best entrusted to a national organization with adequate resources, a permanent set-up and the confidence of the local film industry.

National Film Archive of India (NFAI) was set up in February, 1964 as a media unit of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India with the primary objective of acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage. This includes preservation of film and non-film material including but not limited to celluloid, stills, glass slides, posters, lobby cards, scripts and song booklets.