Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro to Open Audiovisual Preservation Centre at CineOP

The 21st edition of CineOP – Mostra de Cinema de Ouro Preto, held in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, runs until 30 June and has positioned itself as Brazil’s principal forum for the preservation of audiovisual heritage, education and public‑policy discussion. Organisers highlighted the theme “Um País Existe nas Imagens que Preservam” and honoured veteran filmmaker Helena Solberg, who received the Troféu Vila Rica and saw restored versions of her early works.

During the opening debate, IFRJ rector Thiago Matos Pinto announced a proposal to create a Centro de Referência em Preservação Audiovisual at the Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro, in partnership with the Centro Técnico Audiovisual (CTAv). The centre is intended to strengthen professional training, expand course offerings and provide a permanent space for teaching, research and extension in audiovisual preservation. If approved by the institute’s governing bodies, it will receive dedicated infrastructure and a specific budget to qualify professionals in a sector deemed strategic for Brazil’s memory.

The festival also features the “Cine Expressão” segment for school‑aged participants, forums and national meetings that bring together archivists, researchers, filmmakers and cultural managers to discuss policies, access to archives and strategies for audience formation.