shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use NFB Archives?

Extensive stock footage and photos collection spanning over a century, from Canada and worldwide, with custom transfers up to 8K. - archives.nfb.ca

Depends. Buy if you produce documentary, broadcast, museum, or educational work needing authentic Canadian historical footage — nobody else has this catalog. Skip it if you need modern, generic, or instant-download stock clips; a self-serve marketplace fits you better.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 20+ public sources. No user reviews of the licensing service itself were found; user sentiment is inferred from indirect filmmaker references.

Ratings

  • Value for moneyNo public pricing numbers found
  • Ease of useNo usability evidence in sources
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support experience evidence
  • Security postureNo security page or findings found

Pricing

Standard rate card

Varies by market, resolution, and use

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
EducationDiscounted rate

Best for

  • Documentary filmmakers
  • Broadcasters and museums
  • Educators and researchers
  • Projects needing authentic Canadian history footage

Not for

  • Modern or generic stock footage needs
  • Budget social media creators
  • Anyone wanting instant self-serve downloads
  • Teams needing predictable flat-rate licensing

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Pricing varies by market, medium, and resolution — check the rate card before budgeting

medium

No published price list; you must use the calculator or contact staff

medium

Guess: custom 4K/8K transfers imply turnaround delays — confirm timelines before deadline commits

low

Education discounts exist but eligibility applies

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Century-spanning searchable catalog of Canadian footage and photos
  • Custom transfers from SD up to 8K
  • Published rate card plus online pricing calculator
  • Non-profit national institution; joined FIAF in 2025

Cons

  • Historical material only — nothing contemporary for modern productions
  • No public security page
  • No flat pricing; costs require calculator or rate card
  • Licensing involves research support — slower than instant-download stock sites

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 8 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x3review x2security x1news x2

Key stats

  • Feature depth: 4/5

    Rating

  • Varies by market, resolution, and use

    Starting price

  • 8

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money. No public pricing numbers found
  • Ease of use. No usability evidence in sources
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Century-deep catalog; search, calculator, SD–8K transfers
  • Support quality. No support experience evidence
  • Security posture. No security page or findings found
  • 85+ years Archive depth National Film Board of Canada collection
  • 8K Max transfer resolution SD, HD, 4K, 8K custom transfers
  • Rate card Pricing Online pricing calculator available
  • Joined 2025 FIAF membership International Federation of Film Archives

Pricing

Standard rate card

Varies by market, resolution, and use

  • Per-use licensing
  • Custom transfers SD–8K

Education

Discounted rate

  • Educational eligibility required

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Filmmakers and researchers treat NFB Archives as the go-to source for Canadian historical footage, but almost no feedback exists on the licensing process itself.

Companies that use it

  • Concordia University⁷
  • Ānako Indigenous Research Institute (Carleton University)
Full analysis

Based on 20+ public sources. No user reviews of the licensing service itself were found; user sentiment is inferred from indirect filmmaker references.

Top-tier Canadian historical footage archive — essential for documentarians, wrong pick for modern or budget stock needs.

Methodology

Based on 20+ public sources. No user reviews of the licensing service itself were found; user sentiment is inferred from indirect filmmaker references.

Sources

  1. NFB Archives — homepagearchives.nfb.ca
    official
  2. NFB Archives — Pricingarchives.nfb.ca
    official
  3. NFB Archives — Pricing calculatorarchives.nfb.ca
    official
  4. NFB Archives — Security page (none found)archives.nfb.ca
    security
  5. NFB Archives — Footage.net directory listingfootage.net
    review
  6. NFB joins International Federation of Film Archivescanada.ca
    news
  7. Concordia students team up with the NFBconcordia.ca
    news
  8. Reddit discussion referencing NFB Archivesreddit.com
    review

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