The National Film Archive of India (NFAI ) was established in February 1964, as a media unit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Its objective is to acquire, preserve and restore the rich heritage of national cinema, and the cream of international cinema. The archive has made significant progress in the preservation of films, audio and video material, documentation, research and dissemination of film culture in India. The archive functions as the main repository for Indian and foreign research workers for viewing film classics, relating to their research projects. The Archives Distribution Library caters to over 300 Film Societies and Film Study Groups in educational institutions in the country.

NFAI is a member of the International Federation of Film Archives, since May, 1969 which enables it to receive expert advice and material on preservation techniques, documentation, bibliographies etc and to exchange rare films with other such archives under the archival exchange programme. The Archive maintains a distribution library of 16 mm films ( Indian and foreign ) which are loaned to film societies and others for non - commercial study screenings. NFAI in collaboration with FTII conducts an Annual Film Appreciation Course. Film buffs, teachers, researchers, students and journalists join this course to learn about cinema and its vital cultural role.

With its headquarters at Pune, NFAI has at present three regional offices at Bangalore, Calcutta and Thiruvananthapuram. Regular joint screening programmes at important centres like Bangalore, Calcutta, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram expose audiences to the fascinating history of Indian and world cinema.