UNESCO's Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images

The UNESCO Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images was approved by the General Conference at its 21st session in Belgrade, on 27 October 1980. In the late 1970s, FIAF had played a key role in the preparatory work for this important text, which was the first instrument to recognize the cultural necessity of preserving moving images, then primarily embodied in film and analogue videotape. It had wide effect as a reference point and statement of principles. Even though the text remains relevant today, one must bear in mind that there has been vast technological and structural change in the audiovisual archiving field since 1980, notably the emergence of digital media.

The original text of the 1980 UNESCO Recommendation is available HERE in several languages.