The Zeffirelli Archive has been declared by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage to be of particular historical importance for both Italian and international artistic and cultural history.
Today, it is housed on the ground floor of the San Firenze Complex, adjacent to the Library of Fine Arts and Performing Arts. The archive contains dozens of scripts and screenplays; hundreds of sketches, drawings, designs, and pages of notes; and thousands of photographs.
Additionally, it includes promotional materials, press reviews, correspondence, administrative documents and audiovisuals.
Alongside materials used as sources of inspiration (which include many period documents, such as photographs, postcards and prints), the Archive contains materials related to the various stages of development for each of Zeffirelli’s projects, both theatrical and cinematic. It is therefore possible to access documentation of the making of each production, promotional materials and critical commentary: different versions of screenplays, photographs taken during location scouting and casting, as well as during rehearsals and shooting.
Also available are promotional materials distributed during the release of the films or theatrical premieres, thousands of reviews from the Italian and international press, and recordings of some performances. Finally, there is extensive documentation on projects that were never realized.