FIAT/IFTA World Conference 2024

The paper titled "Archive Iraq: Films are rising again. How, when and who?" by Wareth Kwaish, a Project Officer of the Iraqi Archive Project, discusses the efforts to preserve Iraq's cinematic heritage. It highlights the historical richness of Iraqi visual memory, emphasizing the importance of films as cultural, historical, and social treasures.

The paper outlines the establishment of the Committee for the Iraqi Visual Memory, supported by the French Embassy and Expertise France, to restore and digitize over 100 Iraqi films. The project involves training Iraqi professionals in film assessment, inventory, restoration, and digitization techniques.

Objectives include creating a digital film library accessible for education and research, raising societal awareness on film preservation, and preserving Iraq's cultural legacy. The methodology encompasses film selection, evaluation, restoration, and digitization, coupled with community engagement. The project aims to ensure the continuity of Iraqi visual memory, contributing to the larger Iraq Archive Project, preserving the nation's heritage for future generations and global appreciation.