Film collections

Documentary cinema has been an integral part of the Bpi’s cultural project since 1977. This unique choice has enabled cinema to become a permanent element of the library, integrating it with other collections while highlighting its artistic originality.

With nearly 3,000 titles, the collection has been enriched by 500 films acquired under the National Catalog of Documentary Films for its Les yeux doc platform. The film collection complements an extensive print collection of 5,600 books and 19 film magazines, also located in the Cinema section.

Commissioned by the Cinémathèque du documentaire to be its Parisian incarnation, the Bpi is developing a rich and daring program in the form of screenings at the Forum des images, the mk2 Bibliothèque, and the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles.

Documentary cinema

The collection primarily features auteur or creative documentaries, which are characterized by the filmmaker’s perspective and vision, a particular focus on respecting the people filmed, and a long preparation and editing process. The documentary perspective developed by the filmmakers offers a unique and sensitive understanding of the world, far removed from the flood of images poured out by small screens.

Animation cinema

The Bpi also offers adult and teenage viewers an original collection of animated films: 200 short and feature-length films representing different techniques and a carefully curated selection of iconic artists. The collection allows viewers to immerse themselves in a world of pure poetry, where puppets, claymation characters, and 3D figures rub shoulders with traditional cartoons.

Concerts and performances

The collection has been expanded to include films and recordings of live performances to promote the discovery of contemporary creation. Their selection is guided by a desire to give special visibility to works that explore the synergies between theater and cinema.

Video on Demand

The eight consultation stations in the Cinema area provide access to the entire film collection. Two stations allow users to view DVDs from the collection. One station is exclusively for viewing Les yeux doc films. Five stations allow users to choose between viewing digitized films from the Bpi catalog, Les yeux doc films, or films from the Digital Media Library.