Claude Bertemes: A Cinematic Legacy

Since 1997, Claude Bertemes has extended and developed the work of Fred Junk, the Cinémathèque’s emblematic founder. Under his leadership, the institution has undergone a genuine transformation: he opened the Cinémathèque widely to all audiences, without ever compromising the high standards of heritage preservation and scholarly rigour that make it a reference institution. Visionary and deeply committed, Claude Bertemes expanded educational initiatives and devised a rich, diverse programme firmly open to the full range of cinematic forms. Thanks to his vision, the Cinémathèque became a place of discovery as well as transmission.

Among his most notable initiatives are Crazy Cinématographe, which makes early cinema accessible to a wide public, and the Université Populaire du Cinéma, a space where academic knowledge, cinephile passion, and civic participation come together.

Under his direction, the institution strengthened its presence within major professional networks, notably the International Federation of Film Archives and the Association of European Cinematheques. Thanks to his ability to build strong collaborations, the Cinémathèque regularly took part in major European projects dedicated to film heritage - an international reach that contributed to the institution being awarded the distinction “Treasure of European Film Culture” in 2024.

Today, as Claude Bertemes passes the torch, it is an entire vision of cinema - generous, demanding, and deeply humanist - that is being celebrated. His legacy will continue to shape the Cinémathèque for many years to come.

Georges Bildgen: Towards a Future-Oriented Cinémathèque

With more than ten years of experience at the Cinémathèque as Head of Archives, Georges Bildgen has played a key role in the preservation and promotion of thousands of films, ensuring their protection and screening under the best possible conditions. His professional career has also taken him to the National Audiovisual Centre (CNA) and the Cinemateca Portuguesa – ANIM.

Beyond his technical expertise, Georges Bildgen brings a forward-looking vision, firmly advocating the central role of cultural mediation and film education. This approach fully aligns with the Cinémathèque’s mission: not only to preserve films, but also to make them accessible and meaningful to all audiences, from young viewers to long-standing cinephiles.

His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the Cinémathèque, which has just closed its doors for four years of renovation and expansion. The works include the modernisation of the screening rooms, the construction of a new projection theatre, the creation of an educational space, and improvements to accessibility and technical facilities.