The films of the First World War hold immense historical and cultural significance, providing a visual testament to a brutal and transformative period in global history. Preserving and ensuring public access to these shared heritage films is not just about preserving the past; it is a crucial tool for educating future generations and preventing the recurrence of such global conflicts. By promoting a deeper understanding of the human resilience, sacrifice, and the shared experiences that defined the 1914–1918 era through these surviving films, we strengthen our collective memory and reaffirm our commitment to never forget the lessons of the First World War.

While many publicly funded institutions excel in conserving film heritage and recognize the importance of making it accessible to researchers, filmmakers, and the public, it is unfortunate that some archives impose significant restrictions on access to this shared heritage. Despite international conventions and EU regulations clearly stating that no individual or institution can claim ownership or exclusive authority over original content from this era—deeming it the shared heritage of humanity—there are currently no binding enforcement mechanisms in place to prevent potentially unjust practices.

It is entirely reasonable for archives to charge fair and justifiable fees to cover the costs of digitizing, maintaining, or providing access to these materials. However, publicly funded institutions that hold these films should also have an ethical obligation to ensure accessibility. Their mission should reflect their responsibility to the public and uphold the principle that this cultural and documentary heritage belongs to all.

Since August 2024, I have been engaged in a sincere effort to secure access to high-resolution World War I public heritage films held by the Royal Belgian Film Archive (Cinematek) for restoration. These films are a crucial part of our shared cultural heritage—not solely for Belgium—and despite many respectful attempts to collaborate, my requests for access have been declined. Mr. Tomas Leyers, Head Conservator at the Archive, has so far not agreed to provide access to high-resolution copies, nor has he offered any written explanation addressing the specific proposals or questions raised.

My proposals have included full funding of the digitization process at my own expense, the use of external professional labs, and a flexible schedule—even offering to delay the project by a year to accommodate internal priorities. Despite these compromises, all proposals have been declined. I have not been given a clear institutional or conservational reason for this refusal. To my knowledge, no other major European film archive enforces such restrictive access policies for materials of this type.

At one point, it was stated that the films are “already available” because low-resolution scans exist on YouTube. However, I respectfully argue that this does not meet any reasonable standard of access for historical preservation or public engagement. Low-resolution copies do not allow for accurate restoration and cannot serve educational or cultural purposes at the same level. It would be like sharing a blurry photocopy of the Mona Lisa and claiming the original has been made available.

This approach raises serious concerns regarding transparency, public access, and accountability—especially when these materials are managed by a publicly funded institution. Public heritage materials, particularly those of major historical significance like World War I films, should be accessible to researchers, historians, and the wider public. Their use should not be subject to opaque internal policy decisions or bureaucratic obstacles that prevent meaningful access.

How to Help:

More details are available in the petition’s updates section. If you would like to respectfully express your support for improved access, you may contact:

 • Mr. Tomas Leyers – Head Conservator: tomas.leyers@cinematek.be

 • Archive Secretariat: secretariat@cinematek.be

 • Access and Usage Team: access@cinematek.be

Please be kind, respectful, and constructive in all communications. However, we believe it is important that we collectively express the value of making these important historical materials available in full-resolution, professionally restored versions. We hope for clarification on why access is currently withheld, and what can be done to move toward a more transparent and publicly accountable model.

The memory of those who lived and died during the First World War deserves more than to be locked away in vaults, inaccessible to the people and generations they helped shape.