Saving Cinema's Soul: ALIPH's Bold New Mission

When Film Meets Fate

I've always believed that behind every great movie is a story of preservation, of people who understood that art must be safeguarded for future generations. That's why I was thrilled to see the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH) announce its bold new initiative targeting cinematic heritage in crisis zones.

"With only an estimated 20% of the world's film heritage safeguarded, we're entering a new frontier," said one ALIPH representative. "Cinema is not just entertainment — it's cultural memory."

This isn't just another preservation project; it's a recognition that films are fragile artifacts of our shared human experience. And when conflict strikes or infrastructure crumbles, these treasures can vanish forever.

From Cultural Heritage to Cinematic History

ALIPH — established in 2017 through a public-private partnership with institutions like the Getty Trust and the Leon Levy Foundation — has already saved over 640 projects across 65 countries. Their latest move marks the first time they've extended their protective embrace to cinema.

The program, announced at the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, combines emergency intervention with long-term infrastructure development and skills training. The initial focus is on three nations: Ukraine, Syria, and Indonesia — each grappling with unique challenges that threaten their cinematic legacies.

Ukraine: A Dovzhenko Centre in Peril

In Kyiv, the Dovzhenko Centre houses a staggering collection of around 62,000 films and 300,000 reels. In June of this year, it sustained damage during a major strike. The project aims to evaluate the condition of at-risk materials, find adequate storage conditions, and move collections where required.

It's a stark reminder that even our most revered film archives can be vulnerable. For me, the Dovzhenko Centre isn't just a repository — it's a symbol of Ukrainian cultural identity preserved through moving images. When these materials are at risk, we lose more than reels; we lose the voices of filmmakers, actors, and storytellers who made cinema in Ukraine possible.

Syria: The National Film Archives Under Siege

Meanwhile, in Syria, prolonged conflict has severely degraded the National Film Archives' storage and technical infrastructure. This project will work to protect the collection while restoring institutional capacity to maintain it within Syria over the long term.

I find this particularly compelling because it reflects a shift toward community-driven solutions — not just sending aid from abroad, but empowering local institutions to care for their own heritage. It's an approach that speaks to how cultural preservation must be both global and grassroots.

Indonesia: Humidity, Hope, and Heritage

In Indonesia, Sinematek Indonesia has run out of room for new acquisitions, while existing holdings are at risk from humidity and adverse environmental conditions. The project would improve temperature and humidity management, strengthen cataloguing, and build staff expertise.

What struck me most about this initiative is the recognition that preservation isn't just about storage — it's about making sure that these films can be accessed and appreciated by audiences. When we talk about cultural heritage, we're talking about accessibility too.

Why This Matters Beyond the Archive

There's a deeper story here than just film preservation. This program represents a new kind of global cooperation, one that recognizes that our cultural treasures are interconnected. It's also a response to an alarming reality: only 20% of the world's film heritage is currently safeguarded.

What makes this particularly significant is ALIPH's approach. They're not just throwing money at the problem; they're investing in sustainable solutions that can grow with the institutions they support. The $500,000 allocated for emergency projects this year is just the beginning — their goal is to raise $15 million to sustain the program through 2032.

This move shows how cultural preservation must evolve in our digital age. While streaming has made films more accessible, it's also highlighted the fragility of analog materials that have sustained us for decades.

Looking Ahead: The Next Wave

The program is also scoping potential projects in Cambodia, Lebanon, Myanmar, the Philippines, and across the Pacific. These aren't just geographic expansions — they're recognition that cultural heritage preservation is a universal challenge.

As someone who's spent years covering entertainment journalism, I'm struck by how much of our industry's identity has been shaped by films from different cultures. When we lose those films, we're not just losing movies — we're losing the perspectives and experiences that make our global cinema richer.

"Cinema is a language that transcends borders," says one preservationist. "When we protect it, we preserve the stories that connect us all."

The ALIPH initiative offers a model for how international cooperation can be both practical and meaningful. It's not about grand gestures or headline-grabbing moments — it's about sustained, thoughtful work that ensures future generations can experience the full spectrum of cinematic storytelling.

Reflections on Cultural Memory

When I think about the films I've loved over the years, many were made possible by institutions like those ALIPH is now protecting. The reels stored in Kyiv, the films held in Syria's archives, and the collections at Sinematek Indonesia — these aren't just boxes of celluloid. They're repositories of human experience, artistic expression, and cultural memory.

In an era where digital formats dominate, it's easy to forget that many of our most important films were once fragile analog artifacts. ALIPH's work reminds us that preservation is not a luxury — it's a necessity. It's how we maintain our shared storytelling heritage.

This new program is more than just a story about film preservation; it's a story about human connection. It's about ensuring that the films that shaped our world continue to be available for others to discover, study, and enjoy. And in doing so, we preserve not just movies, but the stories they tell — our collective memory.