The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) was founded on September 21, 1551 under the name of Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. It is public and secular and is the largest and most important university in Mexico and Latin America. Its primary purpose is to be at the service of the country and humanity, to train professionals useful to society, to organize and carry out research, mainly on national conditions and problems, and extend the benefits of culture as widely as possible.

With more 60 years of existence, the UNAM Film Archive, has focused its activities on rescuing, restoring, cataloguing, preserving and promoting moving images, as well as their sound elements, written and iconographic documents, and cinematographic devices. This ensemble forms the national and international film heritage protected by the University, which makes it one of the most important film archives in Latin America.