As Australia limits teen access to major social media feeds, it is simultaneously preserving a handful of channels that have thrived on those platforms. Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) has teamed up with YouTube to enshrine ten creators, whose work will be preserved due to its cultural significance.
The featured creators are a diverse bunch
There are some entrants who are primarily known for a handful of viral videos, like mathematician Eddie Woo, and others who have experimented with many different content categories, like Wengie. There are favorites from YouTube’s past (Natalie Tran) and stars of its contemporary era (The Amazing Digital Circus creators GLITCH). Interviews with the inductees can be found on the official NFSA YouTube channel.
The ten creators were recognized during an event at Canberra’s Parliament House. The Australian government has long supported creators through multiple Screen Australia initiatives, which provide funding and resources for local indies. A new wave of Screen Australia-backed projects was announced earlier this year.
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After collecting individual YouTube videos for 13 years, the NFSA is recognizing the channels that have defined the antipodean internet. “[YouTube] is not only helping to shape and explore Australian culture of now, but the majority of these creators’ views are overseas, so it’s actually a major cultural export too,” said NFSA CEO Patrick McIntyre in a statement.
Across the world, creator archives are filling up
Australia is not the first country to preserve creator content that has been deemed culturally significant. As creators gain more mainstream recognition and political power, archivists are working with platforms to collect iconic and memorable videos.
Earlier this year, for example, the British Film Institute established a video archive to preserve some of the most notable U.K. exports of the internet age. And in Washington, the Smithsonian Institution has showcased props from American web series like Good Mythical Morning and The Guild.
Australia’s take on that concept extends beyond individual videos. The NFSA is preserving oral histories, fan content, and digital data like shares and comments. The idea is to exhibit a cross-section of creator culture as it has existed over the past two decades.
But what about the snubs?
There are no undeserving creators in the NFSA’s initial cohort, but I couldn’t help but notice that a few notable stars from Down Under didn’t make the cut. The trick shot masters How Ridiculous, mythbusting chef Ann Reardon, and gamer LazarBeam rank among YouTube’s most-watched creators worldwide, but none of them will be part of the NFSA capsule.
The most surprising snub, in my opinion, is RackaRacka. Brothers Danny and Michael Philippou jump-started the trend of creator directors in Hollywood with their 2022 horror hit Talk To Me. If the NFSA’s goal is to highlight creators’ cultural import, RackaRacka feels like a logical starting point, even if the archive has limited spots available and dozens of worthy creators to choose from.
Perhaps, if the NFSA continues to enshrine creator content, RackaRacka can make it in with the next batch. A rumored directing gig for a Marvel film would certainly merit recognition.
