October 27 has been adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, with this year's theme "Audiovisual Heritage: See, Hear, and Learn." Thus, the Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) is one with the world in commemorating this important occasion and in bringing to the fore the importance of nurturing and preserving our rich audiovisual heritage.

SOFIA believes that as Filipinos and as a nation, we can learn more about ourselves – our identity and our culture – through the numerous films, documentaries, television programs and the like that our country has produced. The sad reality though is that a lot of these works are already lost with more in imminent danger of suffering the same fate. In face of this and other hurdles, SOFIA takes on the responsibility of building awareness to this advocacy by bringing these issues into the public consciousness through the Internet, on television, in print, and through various activities including a monthly free film screening series that has helped develop film appreciation and a renewed interest in Filipino cinema.

On behalf of UNESCO and audiovisual archive organizations the world over, SOFIA encourages the Filipino people to share in this cause before it's too late.

SOFIA

The Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (Samahan ng mga Filipinong Arkivista para sa Pelukula, Inc.) is a non-stock, non-profit volunteer organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is composed of individuals from different backgrounds – from trained archivists to film enthusiasts – that share a common cause for the preservation of our country’s cinematic treasures. SOFIA is an active member of the Southeast Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Archives Association or SEAPAAVA. For more information, please visit www.arkivista.org. We're also on Facebook and you can follow us on twitter at @sofiaphils