The idea of forming a regional association of audio-visual archives first came up during a Conference Workshop on ASEAN Audio/Video and Film Retrieval, Restoration and Archiving, held in Manila in 1993. In this conference, the participants drew up a framework for a comprehensive programme of film/video archiving, including a recommendation to form an ASEAN confederation of film archivists to promote the development of film/video archiving in the region. The South East Asia Pacific Audio Visual Archives Association (SEAPAVAA) was legally constituted and launched in Manila, Philippines in February 1996, when the association also held its First General Assembly to ratify its Constitution, elect its officers and plan its first year programs and activities. SEAPAVAA’s objectives include: (i) promoting awareness and development of audiovisual archiving at national, regional and international levels; strengthening national capabilities in audio visual acquisition, management, preservation and provision of access to collections through research, training and technology transfer, among other methods; (iii) undertaking technical studies and projects addressing common issues and concerns; (iv) establishing region-wide standards, methods and procedures; (v) encouraging communication and mutual assistance, including the sharing of knowledge, skills, services, resources and experiences among members; (vi) advancing the professional development and recognition of audiovisual archivists; and (vii) co-operating with relevant international bodies towards achieving international recognition and support of AV archiving in the region. SEAPAVAA currently has 24 Full Institutional Members consisting of film and video collecting institutions (national archives, television/broadcasting stations, national libraries), information agencies/departments, film organisations and cultural institutions in Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Việt Nam. Each year SEAPAVAA holds an annual conference in a different member country. The 8th SEAPAVAA Conference and General Assembly of 2004 was held jointly with the 60th Congress of the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) in Hà Nội, Việt Nam.