Chinese Independent Film Archive (CIFA)
CIFA is the world’s largest publicly accessible archive dedicated to independent Chinese cinema.
CIFA houses over 900 independent Chinese-language films. The organisation exists thanks to funding from:
- the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (2019-2024)
- the British Film Institute (2025-2026)
CIFA is also home to:
- posters, photos, and publications associated with the films
- approximately 170 oral history video interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders in the field
A unique and invaluable resource for teaching and researching contemporary China, CIFA opens a window into Chinese culture, history, society and politics. In collaboration with individuals and organisations worldwide, CIFA regularly curates:
- film screenings
- art exhibitions
- scholarly events
The aim of these events is to promote independent Chinese cinema – both its exhibition and associated research. They also encourage interdisciplinary engagement with CIFA's collections.
