National Film, Video and Sound Archives NFVSA (South Africa)

Overview

The National Film, Video and Sound Archives (NFVSA) is a specialized government archive of South Africa responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible the country's audio-visual heritage. It operates under the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA), which is a programme of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. The NFVSA is housed in Pretoria at 239 Vermeulen Street (at the intersection with Andries Street).

History and Founding

The NFVSA's institutional origins lie in a film unit established within the Department of Defence during the Second World War to produce training and information films. After the war, this unit was transferred to the Department of Education and became known as Film Services. A 1956 investigation led to legislation establishing the National Film Board on April 1, 1964, under Act No. 73 of 1963, which also provided for the tracing, accessioning, restoration, and preservation of films made in or about South Africa. Initially known as the South African Film Institute (SAFI), the institution was subsequently renamed the National Film Archives (NFA). In 1982 it was incorporated into the State Archives Service, and in 1985 the name was changed to the National Film, Video and Sound Archives (NFVSA). In 1989, the NFVSA attained full membership of the International Association of Sound Archives (IASA), and in 1996 it became a provisional member of the Federation of International Film Archives (FIAF).

Collections and Holdings

The NFVSA holds films, video tapes, audio tapes, audio cassettes, gramophone records, compact discs, slides, posters, scripts, photographs, and related materials. Its collection focuses on audio-visual and related material that was made in or about South Africa. The Legal Deposit Act (No. 54 of 1997) designates the NFVSA as a place of deposit for published audio-visual material. Most material is donated by the film and music industries and private donors. The NFVSA also maintains a library and photograph collection relating to the arts, including literature, music, sculpting, painting, and theatre.

Access

Researchers wishing to view or listen to material must make an appointment in advance with a three-day notice period to allow materials to acclimatize before use. Copying or duplicating material requires the written permission of the copyright holder.