Ministry of Culture Launches Cinémathèque, An Archive of Lebanese Cinema History
The Ministry of Culture is launching the Cinémathèque Libanaise dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of Lebanese cinema, with an opening event taking place on May 14 at 4 PM at the National Library in Sanayeh.
The launch 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
Despite Lebanon’s rich filmmaking history, the country has never had an official national cinema archive dedicated to collecting, preserving, and cataloguing its cinematic legacy. Many films, posters, reels, and production materials have remained scattered across private collections, institutions, or at risk of being lost over time.
That’s what makes this launch especially meaningful. The Cinémathèque could help create a proper home for Lebanese film heritage while making it more accessible to the public, researchers, and future generations.
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.
At a time when 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, and check out the #Arts & Culture section on our website for more.
