An advanced archival film projection system means the NFSA can now screen rare prints not only from its own collection but from other libraries and archives around the world, opening up access to films rarely seen in Australia.
The innovative sound system can present many different audio formats, from the earliest days of sound on film to the latest digital audio. The system also supports sound reinforcement for live accompaniment to silent film events. Arc also has performance lighting and live audio systems for special guest-speaker and live-music events.
Santa Fé-based theatre designer and artist Garry Transue explains that Arc is ‘short for archive … [and] also refers to projectors of old which used carbon arc light sources.’