Magdalena Niedźwiedzka - An Outline History of Filmoteka Narodowa (the National Film Archive)


The article show an outline history of the oldest Polish institution collecting films. Filmoteka Narodowa started its activity in the 1950. and since then it is the only institution in Poland having such a wide holdings of films, especially feature films. The history of this institution shows, in some part, also the history of Polish cinematography. The collection of films is our national cultural heritage. The article describes the history of the institution, changes of its character; these are a reflection of changes in Polish cinematography that turned from a national company into one of the most commercial and lucrative branches of industry. A scope of operation of Filmoteka Narodowa in Warsaw, did not change diametrically since its funding. It is still a central institution, collecting and providing access to films, especially, but also film documentation, ephemerides connected with cinematography and photographs concerning history of Polish cinema.