The European film heritage is dispersed across Europe. Locating moving images is a complex, time consuming, and costly process. Language barriers and the scarcity of information opportunities are complicating the access to archival films in Europe.

‘filmarchives online’ allows the search throughout a growing number of individual archival databases. Currently, more than 4.000 film works are searchable in four different languages, and the database is constantly growing. The main focus of ‘filmarchives online’ is non-fiction material; i.e. documentary and educational films, newsreels, commercial advertising films, scientific, industrial, travelogue, and sports films, as well as animation films.

‘filmarchives online’ is the result of the MIDAS project (Moving Image Database for Access and Re-use of European Film Collections). MIDAS has been initiated in January 2006 as a pilot project in the MEDIA Plus programme of the European Commission. It is carried out by the coordinator German Film Institute (DIF) together with currently [14] institutions dedicated to collecting and preserving the European film heritage. At present, the consortium is comprised of the Czech National Film Archive, Národní Filmový Archiv (NFA), the British Film Institute (BFI), the Cineteca Comunale di Bologna (CCB), the DEFA Foundation (DEFA) and the German Film Institute (DIF). Catalogue data from [9] further film archives will become accessible during the months to come in 2007.

‘filmarchives online’ makes available moving image metadata from its partner institution’s collections. It aims at user groups ranging from the area of scientific research to the professional media and film production domain. Moving images can be searched by content, filmographic data and physical characteristics. Search results will provide available information about existence and location of the materials. In addition to the search function, ‘filmarchives online’ provides contact information to facilitate the access to the moving image items.

We welcome your visit to our website:

http://www.filmarchives-online.eu

Moving image archives and collections from Europe are invited to participate in the project. We are looking forward to receiving your comments and suggestions. For more information about ‘filmarchives online’ and the MIDAS project, please contact us.