A primordial duty of the Cineteca Nacional is the promotion of the best world cinema among all kind of audiences, as well as the formation of new, more informed and discerning cinephiles. In order to achieve this, the institution offers daily screenings of films that stand out for their artistic qualities, thematic interest, or their contribution to the history of filmmaking. Through the combination of individual films, special cycles and retrospectives, Cineteca Nacional is able to present a rich variety of programs, including the most relevant contemporary motion pictures and the foremost examples of film history that are part of our archive. An active relation with many other cultural institutions from around the world has made possible the exchange and lending of filmic materials.

Every year, the Cineteca Nacional is host to one of the most succesful cinematic happenings in Mexico City: The Muestra Internacional de Cine, or International Film Showing, a great event organized by this institution each autumn since 1974.

"La Muestra", as this filmic festival is affectionally known among local audiences, has presented some of the most outstanding works of world cinema. At the same time many alternative, non-commercial films are included in the annual exhibition program of the National Film Archive, under the title of Foro Internacional de la Cineteca.

All these events are combined with an intensive schedule that includes thematic series, double-bills, retrospectives, premieres, special weeks dedicated to specific foreign cinemas, a children festival, and the monthly screening of a classic Mexican film taken directly from our archive. The institution also holds a series of discussion forums, conferences, debates and personal meetings with artists. Through all these activities, the Cineteca Nacional carries out a solid commitment with the promotion of world cinematographic culture, alongside with the invaluable work of preserving Mexico´s moving image heritage.