On Friday 28 March 2025, at the Embassy of France in Athens, Greece, in the presence of the French Ambassador Mrs. Laurence Auer, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the HFAC (Hellenic Film & Audiovisual Center) – Creative Greece and the Institut National de l’Audiovisuel (INA – the National Audiovisual Institute which is a repository of all French radio and television audiovisual archives). This agreement is part of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture’s strategic plan for developing a national archival policy in the audiovisual sector, preserving and safeguarding the cultural digital heritage, and strengthening global cooperation in the audiovisual archives sector.

Mrs. Laurence Auer, the French Ambassador, addressed the event, underlining the importance of bilateral cultural cooperation and the joint effort to utilize digital technology in audiovisual heritage management. She specifically stated: “France, as you know, is the birthplace of cinema, and the country that has been consistently diligent regarding the preservation of the film archives and the audiovisual materials. Greece, similarly, finds the cultural heritage preservation essential. I am proud to be present at this signing of the cooperation protocol between our countries”.

INA was represented by Ms. Agnès Chauveau, General Director of INA, while HFAC was represented by its CEO, Mr. Leonidas Christopoulos.

Ms. Agnes said, “INA is a repository of cultural heritage. Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is part of our European strategy. It reflects a public service mission in the interest of the preservation and enhancement of audiovisual heritage”.

Mr. Leonidas Christopoulos, after thanking the Ambassador for their hospitality, stated: “Today is a very important day for HFAC – Creative Greece, since the signing of this Memorandum and in the scope of the organization’s international extroversion we aim to reap the utmost benefits in the organizing of the national digital repository of audiovisual works. HFAC has already set as a priority the creation of the repository to preserve the country’s entire audiovisual heritage”.

With over 50 years of experience, INA is one of the most prominent organizations in the field of audiovisual archival collection, preservation and management worldwide. Its expertise has contributed to the promotion of audiovisual heritage and collaboration with creative industries globally.

This collaboration is of strategic importance for Greece, as it reinforces the international extroversion of HFAC and offers valuable know-how to the organization of the National Repository of Audiovisual Archives. The objective is to enhance management, preservation and exploitation methods of the country’s audiovisual archives.

The MoU heralds the beginning of a close collaboration between the two organizations, comprising of:

1. bilateral enrichment of the collections,

2. participation in international programs and policies,

3. exchanging expertise,

4. HFAC’s National Repository of Audiovisual Archives staff training in innovative digitization techniques and new technologies.

With INA’s partnership, HFAC staff will be trained in modern archiving and digital management methods, thereby ensuring the long-term conservation and accessibility of Greece’s cultural heritage.

The signing of the Memorandum is an important milestone towards the enhanced digital management and conservation of the country’s audiovisual memory, reinforcing Greece’s presence in the global cultural and technological environment.

See Press Release here