The Film Foundation

What The Film Foundation does

The Film Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 and led by Martin Scorsese alongside a board of nineteen renowned filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, and Clint Eastwood. Headquartered in Los Angeles with a New York office, the foundation operates with a small paid staff (4-7 per one source; firmographic estimate 11-50) and works in partnership with major film archives, studios, and cultural institutions to preserve and restore motion picture history, having supported the restoration of over 1,100 films to date. Its core technical capabilities include 2K and 4K digital restoration alongside traditional photochemical processes, delivered primarily through its flagship laboratory partner Cineteca di Bologna/L'Immagine Ritrovata.

The foundation's programmatic portfolio spans five pillars: the Film Preservation Program (restoration of classic and endangered films), the World Cinema Project (72 restored films from 34 countries launched in 2007), The Story of Movies (a free film-literacy curriculum used by nearly 150,000 educators at over 45,000 U.S. schools), the Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund (advocacy against unauthorized alteration of films), and the African Film Heritage Project (launched 2017 with FEPACI and UNESCO). Restored titles reach global audiences through the festival circuit (Cannes Classics, Il Cinema Ritrovato), museum screenings (Academy Museum, MoMA), and home-video distribution via the Criterion Collection and Janus Films.

The organization's revenue model is donation-driven: individual contributions through tiered giving ($50-$1,000) and the "1 Frame, 1 Dollar" project-specific campaign, supplemented by exhibition rental income for World Cinema Project titles and grants from partners such as the George Harrison Material World Foundation and the Golden Globe Foundation. Go-to-market relies on earned media through high-profile filmmaker advocacy, festival visibility, newsletter communications, and organic social channels rather than paid advertising. Annual Reports have been published continuously from 2015 through 2024.

Name

The Film Foundation

Legal name

The Film Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://film-foundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Film Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 and led by Martin Scorsese that restores endangered films, educates students on cinema, and advocates for filmmakers' rights. It serves global archives, festivals, museums, and over 150,000 educators across 45,000+ schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Preservation Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Restoration & Remastering (4K/8K Scan, Image Stabilization, Dirt/Scratch Removal) (MPADAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Archival Preservation & Conservation (Handling, Storage, Environmental Controls) (MPADAMAF), Format Migration & Media Refresh (Tape-to-File, File-to-File, LTO Refresh) (MPADAMAH), Color Restoration & Grading for Legacy Content (HDR/SDR Remaster) (MPADAMAC), Access & Distribution for Archives (Restored Masters, DCP Creation, Screening Deliverables) (MPADAMAJ), Archival Research, Rights & Provenance Services (Clearance, Chain-of-Custody) (MPADAMAI), Public Media Archives, Libraries & Content Preservation (MPABADAL), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Film preservation services
• Film restoration services
• Cultural heritage nonprofit
• World cinema preservation
• Artists rights advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Film Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Revenue is generated through charitable donations from individuals and organizations. The foundation offers '1 Frame, 1 Dollar' donations where supporters can contribute $1 per frame for specific restoration projects, as well as general donations at levels of $1,000, $500, $250, $100, and $50.
2. Exhibition Rental of Restored Films: The World Cinema Project makes restored films available for exhibition rental by educational institutions, festivals, and museums worldwide. Films restored under various programs (World Cinema Project, Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, etc.) are booked through the foundation's platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Film Foundation funds, manages, and delivers film preservation and restoration in partnership with archives, studios, and laboratories, supporting over 1,100 restored films to date. It complements preservation work with the World Cinema Project (72 films from 34 countries), a free K-12 film literacy curriculum, artist rights advocacy and legal defense, and DIY preservation guidance for independent and digital filmmakers.

Product overview

The Film Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of film preservation, restoration, and educational programs. Its core offerings include the Film Preservation Program (restoring films with over 1,100 restored to date), the World Cinema Project (focused on international cinema with 72 films from 34 countries), The Story of Movies educational curriculum, DIY Preservation resources, and the Artists Rights advocacy program. These programs work together to protect motion picture history, restore endangered films from around the world, educate young people about cinema, and advocate for filmmakers' rights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• World Cinema Project: Preserving, restoring, and distributing films from around the world. To date, 72 films from 34 countries have been restored and shared with a global audience.
• The Story of Movies
• Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund
• African Film Heritage Project
• DIY Preservation
• Restoration Screening Room Archive

Products and services

• Film Preservation Program Funds and manages preservation and restoration of cinema films in partnership with archives, studios, and laboratories, ensuring their survival for future generations. The foundation has helped restore over 1,100 films to date. For film archives, studios, and cultural institutions.
• World Cinema Project A program created by Martin Scorsese in 2007 to preserve, restore, and provide access to films from around the world. Has restored 72 films from 34 countries, with a focus on regions lacking preservation resources. Titles are available for exhibition rental.
• The Story of Movies A free educational curriculum teaching middle and high school students the language of cinema. Developed by filmmakers and educators to help students understand film as an artistic, cultural, and historical document. Used by nearly 150,000 educators at over 45,000 schools. Includes new curriculum "Portraits of America: Democracy on Film."
• DIY Preservation Provides best practices guidelines, do-it-yourself recommendations, and resources for independent filmmakers, documentarians, and artists working with film and digital formats to preserve their work.
• Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund An initiative dedicated to protecting filmmakers' rights, preventing unethical altering of films, and ensuring artists' original visions are honored. Operates under the Directors Guild of America umbrella and includes the John Huston Award for Artists Rights.
• African Film Heritage Project A collaborative initiative launched in 2017 with FEPACI and UNESCO, in partnership with Cineteca di Bologna, to locate, restore, and disseminate African cinema heritage that is at risk of being lost.
• Restoration Screening Room Archive An online archive of monthly restoration screening events, showcasing restored films available for viewing and education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,100 films restored with foundation support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, key and minor.

• Pan African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017The African Film Heritage Project was launched in 2017 in partnership with FEPACI and UNESCO, in collaboration with Cineteca di Bologna, to preserve the legacy of African cinema.
• Criterion CollectioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for distribution of World Cinema Project restorations on home video and streaming platforms. Many WCP films are released through Criterion's collection, providing global access to restored world cinema.
• Directors Guild of America (DGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation is aligned with the DGA, whose President and Secretary-Treasurer also serve on the board. The Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund operates under the DGA umbrella. DGA consolidated with The Film Foundation in 2002.
• Turner Classic Movies (TCM)keyGTM or Marketing PartnerTCM is a partner in The Film Foundation's work, supporting restoration efforts and film programming visibility.
• Cineteca di Bologna / L'Immagine RitrovataflagshipTechnology or IntegrationPrimary restoration laboratory partner for The Film Foundation's World Cinema Project and numerous other restorations. L'Immagine Ritrovata is a world-renowned film restoration facility in Bologna, Italy.
• Academy Film ArchivecoreTechnology or IntegrationArchive partner for film preservation and restoration. Collaborates on restoring films including The Red Shoes, Wanda, Once Upon a Time in America, and many others.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)coreTechnology or IntegrationArchive partner for preservation and restoration of classic films including Abraham Lincoln (1930), Winchester '73, and Destry Rides Again.
• British Film Institute (BFI)coreTechnology or IntegrationArchive partner for film preservation including I Know Where I'm Going! and A Brighter Summer Day. BFI National Archive collaborates on multiple restorations.
• Library of CongresscoreTechnology or IntegrationArchive partner for preservation including Eraserhead restoration and reference prints. Library of Congress Packard Campus serves as a model for archival storage standards.
• Anthology Film ArchivescoreTechnology or IntegrationArchive partner and participant in NFPF Avant-Garde Masters Grant program administered with The Film Foundation.
• Janus FilmskeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for restored World Cinema Project and other films. Janus Films has been a long-standing partner in bringing classic films to modern audiences.
• Sony PictureskeyTechnology or IntegrationStudio partner for film preservation and restoration of classic films in the Sony Pictures collection.
• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO is a key partner in the African Film Heritage Project, supporting the location, restoration, and dissemination of African cinema heritage.
• National Film Archive of India (NFAI)keyTechnology or IntegrationSource archive for Indian film restoration projects including Amma Ariyan (1986). The Film Heritage Foundation collaborates with NFAI on restoring Indian classics.
• Film Heritage Foundation (India)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia's Film Heritage Foundation works with The Film Foundation's World Cinema Project on restoring Indian films. Has successfully placed Indian films at Cannes Classics for five consecutive years (2022-2026).
• Film Noir FoundationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Film Noir Foundation, led by Eddie Muller and Alan K. Rode, partners with The Film Foundation for film noir preservation work, including restorations screened at Noir City Hollywood and the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival.
• Paramount PictureskeyTechnology or IntegrationParamount partners with the Film Noir Foundation and The Film Foundation for classic film noir restorations.
• EdutopiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEdutopia, the George Lucas Educational Foundation, is a partner organization providing educational outreach support for The Story of Movies curriculum.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF): The U.S. congressionally-chartered nonprofit that funds preservation of orphaned and endangered American films; most direct U.S. peer to The Film Foundation and frequent co-funder on projects including the Avant-Garde Masters grants.
• Film Heritage Foundation: India-based nonprofit founded by Shivendra Singh Dungarpur dedicated to film conservation and restoration; a regional peer that collaborates with The Film Foundation on World Cinema Project Indian restorations and Cannes Classics placements.
• Cineteca di Bologna / L'Immagine Ritrovata: World-renowned Italian film archive and restoration laboratory that serves as The Film Foundation's primary technical restoration partner on the World Cinema Project and African Film Heritage Project; a close operational peer executing restorations at scale.
• Academy Film Archive: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' film archive, which preserves Academy-awarded and historically significant films; a long-standing archive partner that co-stewards preservation of titles like The Red Shoes and Once Upon a Time in America.
• BFI National Archive: The U.K.'s national film archive, a major international preservation institution collaborating with The Film Foundation on restorations such as A Brighter Summer Day and I Know Where I'm Going!, and a peer in operating large-scale archive and restoration programs.
• Cinémathèque Française: One of the world's largest film archives, based in Paris, with active preservation, restoration, exhibition, and educational programming comparable in scope to The Film Foundation's portfolio.
• Anthology Film Archives: New York-based nonprofit film archive dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of avant-garde cinema; co-participant with TFF in the NFPF Avant-Garde Masters grant program and a peer in preservation-focused programming.
• Library of Congress Packard Campus (National Audio-Visual Conservation Center): The U.S. national audiovisual conservation facility, which preserves the nation's film heritage and serves as both an archive partner and reference model for TFF's preservation work, including the Eraserhead restoration.

Emerging players

• Film Noir Foundation: Smaller nonprofit focused on film noir preservation that partners with The Film Foundation and studios like Paramount on targeted restorations, screening them at Noir City festivals; a thematic peer with overlapping but narrower scope.

Others

• Directors Guild of America: Labor organization whose umbrella consolidates the Artists Rights Education and Legal Defense Fund; governance-linked peer and operational home for the foundation's artists-rights advocacy work rather than a direct preservation competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/film_foundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5mDne3WNj1Yr4jgH6k7elA
• Instagraminstagram.com/thefilmfoundation_official
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheFilmFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thefilmfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Film Foundation