At the 1990 Film Archives Advisory Committee/Television Archives Advisory Committee (FAAC/TAAC ) conference in Portland, Oregon, the group voted on whether or not they should evolve into a formal organization. They discussed the ability to increase outreach and provide more resources and how to keep the impact the grass roots nature of their work.
Previously grouped loosely together in an ad hoc organization, Film Archives Advisory Committee/Television Archives Advisory Committee (FAAC/TAAC), it was felt that the field had matured sufficiently to create a national organization to pursue the interests of its constituents. According to the recently drafted by-laws of the Association, AMIA is a non-profit corporation, chartered under the laws of California, to provide a means for cooperation among individuals concerned with the collection, preservation, exhibition and use of moving image materials, whether chemical or electronic.
More than 25 years later, with almost a thousand members representing more than 30 countries, AMIA is an international organization and recognized UNESCO NGO.
The mission remains – to support public and professional education and foster cooperation and communication among the individuals and organizations concerned with the acquisition, preservation, description, exhibition, and use of moving image materials.