Sweden's Cinematic Heritage Calls for a National Center

The recent governmental film investigation, unveiled in early March, primarily emphasized the future of Swedish film production. However, it underscored a critical need for the preservation of Sweden's cinematic heritage, advocating for the establishment of a national film heritage center.

The report highlights that the country's rich film legacy is a valuable asset that the government must protect for future generations. It stresses the importance of this heritage as both an inspiration for new creative works and a cultural reference point.

To address this, the investigation proposes that the Swedish Film Institute collaborate with the National Library of Sweden and Swedish Television (SVT) to develop a detailed cost estimate for creating a national film heritage center, equipped with suitable facilities, technology, and staff.

Mathias Rosengren, head of the Film Heritage department at the Swedish Film Institute, expressed support for the report's recommendations and hopes for a swift progression through the consultation phases. He noted that this issue has been a concern raised to the government since 2017 and was reiterated in their recent budget proposal for 2026-2028.

Currently, Sweden's film heritage is dispersed across various locations, including the National Library, SVT, and several museums and archives. The Swedish Film Institute houses the largest collection, with approximately 300,000 reels of analog film, alongside a significant responsibility for preservation.

Rosengren argued that consolidating these resources in one location would be more economically viable and beneficial for society. He envisions a new physical facility where preservation activities can be centralized and coordinated, although he clarified that this initiative should not be confused with the creation of a film museum.

According to Rosengren, a film heritage center is essential for ensuring access to the nation's film assets, while a film museum would serve as an additional layer on top of this foundational work.