Collections & Preservation

For researchers

Our collection contains over 200,000 moving image works.

Explore film, tape and disc material, time-based media art, games, television, digital culture and ephemera including books, journals, publicity photographs, film posters and press kits.

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The ACMI Collection channel

Large parts of the collection are available on YouTube, providing easier access to digitised works on an international scale.

Watch on YouTube
Magnavox Odyssey console

Search the Collection

Discover the old and new, unique and nostalgic in our collection of films, TV, videogames, art and more.

Search the collection

Research Projects

We provide access to the collection for in-depth research and have completed successful collaborative research projects with a number of universities, organisations and professional researchers.

Some of these research projects have covered subjects as diverse as:

  • Chinese feature films
  • Indigenous filmmakers
  • 1980s Australian videogames
  • Glass blowing
  • Urban planning
  • Representations of women in documentaries about Papua New Guinea
  • 16mm Italian films
  • School-building architecture

For information on how to access the ACMI Collection, explore our Frequently Asked Questions.

Play it Again

Play It Again

This project aims to create a playable history of Australasian videogames for industry, community and research purposes.

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The Cute Machine, 1997, Martine Corompt, The Cute Machine, 1997, Martine Corompt, still from interactive CD-ROM running via EaaSi

Archiving Australian Media Arts

The Archiving Australian Media Arts project aims to preserve and make accessible Australia's rich history of interactive artworks before they deteriorate beyond repair.

Archiving Australian Media Arts
Stills of artist Sue Ford from 'Faces' (1976). On the left, the word 'Faces' is drawn on Sue's right cheek. On the right, 'By Sue Ford' is written on the left side of her jaw.

The films of Sue Ford – now part of the ACMI Collection

An extraordinary collection of experimental feminist films by artist Sue Ford (1943–2009) has been generously donated to ACMI by the Sue Ford Archive and is now being made accessible to viewers for the first time.

Sue Ford Moving Image Collection
Wangaratta shire

ACMI in the Regions

For those prevented by distance from engaging with our programs we took teams on the road to work with local communities and inspire regional storytelling through the moving image.

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Record cover: Sinn Sisamouth

Preserving Cambodia's fragile stories

With the support of a grant from the Australia-ASEAN Council, we’ve partnered with the Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center in Phnom Penh to explore media preservation and the effects of cultural memory.

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Learn more about our approach to preserving Australia’s digital culture and moving image history.