Ministry of Culture Relaunches the Cinémathèque, An Archive of Lebanese Cinema History
The Ministry of Culture is relaunching the Cinémathèque Libanaise dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Lebanese cinema, with the support of the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC) in France. The opening event will be taking place on May 14 at 4 PM at the National Library in Sanayeh.
Its relaunch will also include an opening exhibition, giving the public a first look at part of the collection and the wider vision behind the project.
What’s happening on May 14, 2026
The opening begins at 4 PM, when doors will welcome visitors to explore the space and the launch exhibition. At 5:30 PM, the Minister will deliver the official speech, followed by a panel discussion at 6 PM focusing on the preservation of Lebanese film archives and the importance of safeguarding the country’s cinematic memory.
The archives will officially open on Friday, May 15 from 8 AM until 2 PM.
For the love of Lebanese cinema
The Cinémathèque was launched in the past but was closed nearly a decade ago. There has since been a growing need to revive a national film archive. Following its closure, the collections were dispatched to universities and institutions so that they could be preserved.
That’s what makes this relaunch especially meaningful. It brings the Cinémathèque back as a renewed space for Lebanese film heritage, with the potential to reconnect the public, researchers, and future generations with a cultural memory that has often been fragmented.
More than an archive
The Cinémathèque will grow into an active space for screenings, talks, events, and film-related programming. It aims to become a meeting point for students, researchers, filmmakers, and anyone interested in Lebanon’s audiovisual history.
Preserving archives feels more important than ever. This project is a major step toward protecting the stories, images, and creative work that shaped Lebanese cinema.
Make sure to follow Cinémathèque Libanaise on Instagram for more. You can also check out the #Arts & Culture section on our website for more.
