Academic Services
The Harvard Film Archive is one of the largest and most significant university-based motion picture collections in the United States, with a collection of over 13,000 items (primarily 35mm and 16mm) from around the world and from almost every period in film history. As a division of the Harvard College Library, the HFA supports the research and study of cinema at Harvard by making films from its collection available for study purposes, for individual viewing appointments, and for classroom screenings. In addition, prints from the Archive’s collection are regularly shown in the HFA Cinematheque which screens films four nights a week in the Carpenter Center theater. The current schedule of HFA screenings, which are open to the public, can be found on the Calendar page of the HFA public program website.
Films are made accessible to scholars and researchers by appointment only and in close consultation with HFA staff. Although films do not circulate for individual use, students, filmmakers, artists, and researchers are encouraged to use the collections on-site. If their condition allows, prints from the HFA collection can be viewed on a flatbed viewer at the HFA’s Conservation Center. There is a $25 per hour fee for the monitored use of the flatbed viewer for non-Harvard students or scholars.
The Harvard Film Archive has begun an ambitious project to make available our catalog of over 12,000 films. The work is slow but steady. The records we have created so far may be searched on Harvard's online library catalog HOLLIS. Please limit location by Harvard Film Archive to search our holdings. Researchers inquiring about the HFA’s 35mm and 16mm holdings or wanting to set up a viewing appointment should contact Rebecca Meyers, HFA Archive Coordinator, via e-mail.
Prints from the HFA collection are regularly loaned to motion picture archives and other venues that meet the HFA’s strict requirements for the professional care, handling, and projection of archival films. All archival loan inquiries should be directed to Mark Johnson, HFA Loan Officer, via e-mail.
The HFA regularly works with faculty from across Harvard to present special film programs in conjunction with University courses. Inquiries about HFA Cinematheque programming can be directed to David Pendleton, HFA Programmer, via e-mail.
Of Interest
Reel Research is an interactive research guide for film studies at Harvard University created by Harvard College librarians in collaboration with faculty, departments, and the Harvard Film Archive.
