Film Heritage Foundation in collaboration with the NFSA – National Film and Sound Archive of Australia and with support from Tata Trusts and the Australian Consulate-General, Mumbai conducted a three-day Paper, Photo and Film Conservation Workshop on July 16, 17 and 18, 2025 taught by two leading experts: Dr. Sophie Lewincamp, Head of Conservation & Collection Management and Ashley Manning, Audio-Visual Conservation Coordinator from the NFSA.
About the Workshop
The training program had introduced participants to the fields of film, paper and photographic conservation. The first day was delve into the best practices, identification and common degradation of these materials found in film archive collections through lectures, discussions and hands-on documentation sessions.
Over the next two days, participants were break into their interest groups for practical sessions. Film conservation was facilitated by Ashley Manning (NFSA), and paper and photo conservation by Dr. Sophie Lewincamp (NFSA).
Course Structure
LECTURE SESSION (DAY 1): Joint session for all participants.
PRACTICAL SESSIONS (DAY 2 AND 3): As per the participant’s stream selection.
FILM CONSERVATION:
In the film conservation sessions, participants had gained expertise in identifying various film types and formats. The sessions covered methods for repairing and cleaning films, including techniques for addressing damage and degradation. Procedures for safely cleaning film mould and using AD strips to monitor film condition was demonstrated. Additionally, best practices for handling films to prevent damage and guidelines for proper film storage to ensure longevity thoroughly discussed.
PAPER AND PHOTO CONSERVATION:
In the paper and photo conservation sessions, participants learned to identify and examine various degradation types of photos and paper along with condition reporting and documentation. The session covered hands-on training on handling, dry-cleaning, repair and mending and storing of paper and photos to prevent deterioration. It had also included practical instruction on mould and insect cleaning and techniques of humidification of paper ensuring the long-term preservation of these materials.
Date: July 16, 17 and 18, 2025
Venue: Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai
The K. R. Cama Oriental Institute, 136, Bombay Samachar Marg, Opposite Lion Gate, Fort, Mumbai – 400023
Time:
July 16, 2025 – 9:00 AM to 5.30 PM
July 17 and 18, 2025 – 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM
The workshop included screenings of two restored Australian classics at Regal Cinema, Mumbai at 6.30 p.m.:
July 16, 2025 – Peter Weir’s cult classic The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
July 17, 2025 – P.J. Hogan’s beloved comedy Muriel’s Wedding (1994)
THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS (1974, PETER WEIR)
88 mins, Colour, English, Australia, DCP, Aspect Ratio: 2.39 (Scope)
Screening date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 06:30 pm
Synopsis:
Mild-mannered Arthur (Terry Camilleri) wakes up in a hospital in the quiet NSW country town of Paris after he and his brother have run off the road. The brother is dead. The mayor (John Meillon) takes Arthur under his wing, but Arthur senses that things are not right. The town’s feral youth take over the streets at night in souped-up cars. The hospital is full of brain-damaged accident victims. Arthur discovers he is not allowed to leave.
MURIEL’S WEDDING (1994, P. J. HOGAN)
104 mins, Colour, English, Australia, DCP, Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Screening date: Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 06:30 pm
Synopsis:
The film, set in the fictional town of Porpoise Spit, Australia, tells the story of Muriel, a socially awkward young woman whose aspiration is to escape her mundane life and have a glamorous wedding. The narrative follows her journey towards self-discovery, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness, with plenty of comedic and dramatic twists.
The Schedule
Photo Gallery
The Expert Faculty
Dr. Sophie Lewincamp
Dr. Sophie Lewincamp is the Head of Conservation and Collection Management at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), and Honorary Lecturer at The Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies, Australian National University. Sophie has over twenty years’ experience in the field of materials conservation, project management and community collaboration working in industry and academic organisations. Dr. Lewincamp is a qualified paper conservator and has extensive experience treating and managing different collections, as well as working with communities to care for their collections.
Dr. Lewincamp has worked at many of Australia’s leading cultural institutions including the National Library of Australia, The Australian War Memorial and Museums Victoria and taught conservation Masters students at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, University of Melbourne (2010-2018).
Mr. Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning is an Audiovisual Conservation Coordinator at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA). He holds a Bachelor of Art (Fine Art), Photography graduating with honours from RMIT University. Mr. Manning has a decade of experience in the cultural sector audiovisual materials preservation, disaster recovery and the access of motion picture film in cinema and cultural institutes.
At the NFSA, Mr. Manning jointly coordinates the Audiovisual Conservation team, training in film handling, cleaning, repair as well as more complex treatments, condition assessment and identification of hazards, technical selection, and research and development. Mr Manning’s research investigates sustainable conservation practices focusing on disaster management.
Our Collaborator
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), is Australia’s audio-visual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting, and providing access to a national collection of film, television, sound, radio, video games, new media, and related documents and artefacts. The collection ranges from works created in the late nineteenth century when the recorded sound and film industries were in their infancy, to those made in the present day.
Our Supporters
TATA TRUSTS
The Tata Trusts are one of India’s leading philanthropic organizations that work to drive innovative social development in India. Conservation (of art, film and built heritage) is one of the three key areas of work of the Trusts’ Arts & Culture portfolio.
The Australian Consulate General in Mumbai
The Australian Consulate General in Mumbai was officially opened on 16 November 2013 by the Australian Foreign Minister, The Hon Julie Bishop MP. The office is located in Bandra Kurla Complex which is an emerging business district of Mumbai.
The Consulate General focuses on economic diplomacy, on strengthening bilateral relations between India and Australia through political, economic and cultural work in the western Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa. The Consulate General also helps safeguard the interests of Australians living, working and visiting India in these three states.
Our Venue Partner
Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai
The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institution operational worldwide. We promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. We also foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics.
