The Network of Arab Alternative Screens (NAAS) and the Fédération Internationale des Archives du Film (FIAF) are delighted to announce their collaboration on the 11th edition of the Film Restoration Summer School. Held biennially since 2012, the school is a joint initiative by FIAF, Cineteca di Bologna, L’Immagine Ritrovata, and the Association des Cinémathèques Européennes (ACE).

For the 2026 edition, NAAS is partnering with FIAF and sponsoring one early-career film preservation professional from the Arabic-speaking region (residing in the region or abroad) to participate in this distinguished professional training opportunity.

About the Program

The FIAF Restoration Summer School is an intensive, internationally recognized training program focused on the theory and practice of film restoration. It brings together participants from around the world to learn from leading experts, exchange knowledge, and gain hands-on insight into contemporary restoration workflows and archival challenges.

The 2026 FIAF Film Restoration Summer School is structured along three main course steps:

• Distance Learning: Each week from April 30th to June 11th, selected participants engage with technical and theoretical texts chosen by the school’s instructors.
• Festival & Lectures: Students come to Bologna for the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival (June 20th–28th), learning about the conservation of film heritage through screenings, lessons, and special meetings.
• Restoration Workshops: Taking place at the L’Immagine Ritrovata facilities (June 29th–July 10th), this phase offers a genuinely hands-on apprenticeship in the different steps of film restoration.

For more details, please refer to the official program PDF.

What the NAAS Scholarship Covers

The NAAS scholarship provides full financial support for one selected participant, including:

• Participation fee (€4,000), which includes:
  • Registration and festival accreditation
  • 21 nights of accommodation (check-in: 20 June; check-out: 11 July)
  • 17 days of lunch
• Travel expenses, including return flight
• Visa application costs

Selection Criteria & Process

Applicants must apply directly to the Summer School via the official FIAF application process. 

Download Application Form on the L'Immagine Ritrovata website

Deadline for application: February 15, 2026 

Only candidates formally accepted by FIAF will be referred to NAAS. The scholarship recipient will then be selected based on the following criteria:

• Originating from the Arabic-speaking region (residing locally or abroad).
• Demonstrated interest in film restoration, preservation, or audiovisual archiving.
• Early-career status and clear professional development potential.
• Relevance of the training to the applicant’s work.