Collections Access
We offer a range of FREE and paid services for accessing and borrowing materials not already available online.
These services directly support the ongoing care of the Collection and ensure more materials become accessible to the public as Victoria’s State-owned collection grows.
To explore available materials, use our online collection search. After browsing, review our service rates based on your request type and then follow the steps below to contact our Registration & Collections team.
Viewing ACMI Collection materials
Researchers can access a range of digitised film and video materials that are not currently available online. Depending on artist, rights holder and/or community permissions, some materials can also be made available to the wider community.
To request access please use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au outlining your project, requirements, rights holder/community engagement progress and timelines. This will help our team process your enquiry.
Please note: Viewing requests for non-digital materials may take up to 5 weeks to fulfil and could include digitisation costs. If you have an urgent deadline, please mention it in your enquiry. Our team will assess if your request can be fast-tracked or provide an estimated lead time and service cost.
Footage for use – public domain
ACMI provides downloadable files for collection materials that it has assessed as being in the public domain under the Copyright Act 1968 (CTH). This may not be applicable in jurisdictions outside of Australia. These files can be accessed via links on individual works pages on our website. To request a file, upfront payment of the public domain service rate is required. If you are a researcher, you may be eligible for a discounted service fee. Once payment is made, the file will be provided within 48–72 hours, depending on the request time/day and time zone.
Please note: While ACMI does not object to the use of materials it has assessed as being in the public domain, requestors are responsible for researching any potential Underlying Rights and obtaining necessary permissions for their use. ACMI expressly makes no warranties or claims to (i) being the holder of any underlying rights in the Work, or any still frames thereof (“Underlying Rights”); or (ii) the copyright status of such Underlying Rights.
Footage for use – licensed
ACMI provides downloadable files for copyrighted collection material to creators and production companies sourcing footage for their projects. Access is subject to demonstrated artist, rightsholder and/or community permissions. ACMI does not hold third-party rights for most collection material and cannot grant permissions for this usage.
To request footage use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au outlining your project, requirements, rights holder/community engagement progress and timelines. This will help our team process your enquiry.
Please note: Footage requests may take up to five weeks to fulfill. If you have an urgent deadline, please include this in your enquiry. Our team will assess if your request can be fast-tracked or provide an estimated lead time plus confirm service costs.
Public screenings
ACMI offers loans of selected works from our collection for not-for-profit and paid public programs, including one-off screenings, festivals and events. A minimum of three months’ notice is required. Loan approvals depend on the work’s condition, ACMI’s programming needs, and, in some instances, rights holder and/or community permissions.
To request a loan use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au outlining your project, requirements, rights holder/community engagement progress and timelines. Our team will contact you to discuss your requirements and confirm service costs.
Exhibition loans
ACMI offers loans of selected materials from our collection, including artworks and commissions, to sector organisations including galleries, libraries, archives and museums for exhibitions and related events. A minimum of six months’ notice is required. Loan approvals depend on ACMI Director & CEO approval, artwork condition, ACMI’s programming needs, plus, in some instances, artist notice/agreement, and other rights holder and/or community permissions.
To request a loan use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au outlining your project, requirements, rights holder/community engagement progress and timelines. Our team will contact you to discuss your requirements and confirm the associated service costs.
First Nations access
Access to First Nations’ Cultural Materials in the ACMI Collection is guided by our values, First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocol and Reconciliation Action Plan. First Nations communities have first right of access to public requests for these materials.
To request access use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au. Depending on the request and material handling requirements, our team may offer a range of free or paid services.
Family access
ACMI welcomes contact from verified family members of rights holders to help improve access and information for the community, or address concerns about existing access or information.
Depending on the format, condition and other rightsholder and/or community permissions, our team may also be able to provide family members with broader access to the materials.
To get in touch use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au.
Privacy
ACMI will collect your personal information in order to respond to and process your request for access to ACMI’s Collection materials, including any required payment for service costs.
ACMI will store your personal information securely in accordance with our Privacy Collection Notice and our Privacy Policy.
ACMI uses Stripe Payments Australia Pty Ltd (Stripe) to process payments for service costs. Stripe’s Privacy Policy is here.
Service rates
*Subsidised rates apply for schools, universities, community groups, charities, not for profit/Gov/cultural institutions. An additional 10% GST will apply if you are located in Australia.
To request access please use our online collection search, find the relevant catalogue page and complete an online request, or email us at collections.access@acmi.net.au outlining your project, requirements, rights holder/community engagement progress and timelines. This will help our team process your enquiry.
Search the ACMI Collection
Discover decades of screen culture, all at your fingertips. Search films, TV, videogames and more.
Donate an item to the ACMI Collection
We accept donations of materials to the ACMI Collection, including Cultural Gifts, on a limited basis.
ACMI Collection Strategy (2024–2029)
Discover how we preserve, share and expand screen culture. Explore our vision and approach today.