The State of the Global Film Archiving Community in 2021

A Report on the 2022 FIAF Statistical Survey

Compiled for FIAF by Tiago Baptista and copy-edited by Clare Healy

You can consult and download it HERE.

In 2022, FIAF carried out a survey to gather statistical information from its affiliates about the holdings, practices, and activities of the global FIAF community during the year 2021. For many affiliates across the world, 2021 was still a period marked by the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The survey took that into account and included questions about how the affiliates coped with the waves of the pandemic or its aftermaths. This report provides an analysis of some of the key data collected. 

The response rate was the lowest in the history of FIAF's statistical surveys: only 60 out of 172 affiliates replied, a sobering 35% response rate. The information contained in the report cannot therefore be considered representative of the entire FIAF network; however, we believe the data is nonetheless insightful and helps to paint a picture of the state of the film archiving community, incomplete though it may be.

In light of this low response rate, the community will need to assess whether or not this report is still considered a relevant tool; or whether it is the structure and methodology of the statistical survey itself that must change for it to become more relevant to the affiliates. 

Since the mid-1980s, the Federation has periodically conducted surveys and questionnaires with an objective to collect statistical data about its affiliated archives, their collections, and key activities. These numbers have allowed us to capture, at regular intervals, essential information about the size, scope, and geographical repartition of FIAF affiliates’ film and non-film holdings, and key figures about their work to preserve films and make them accessible. Previous FIAF statistical reports can be found HERE.

Tiago Baptista

November 2025