- What is nowadays called the Film Archives used to be just a warehouse left over from the war, which was located near the Clock Tower in Tirana.  It performed the functions of a Cinematheque. 
- In 1947, the Albanian Film Enterprise was set up by Decision No. 160 of the Council of Ministers, on the basis of Decree No. 314 in furtherance of Law No. 422, “For the Nationalization of the Cinemas”. It was initially conceived as a warehouse for the purpose of storing the films collected through the nationalization of the private cinemas.
- In April 1963, the Film International Archives Federation (FIAF), based in Paris, proposed that the Cinematheque joined this Federation. The card system in use at the CSFA complies with the FIAF criteria. 
- In 1970, the Film Archives became a FIAF full-fledged member.
- Over the period 1947-1996, the Film Archives was operated as one of the branches of the “Shqipëria e Re” Film Studio.
- The construction of the new building for the Film Archives started in 1989 and was completed in 1990, when the transfer of its stock took place. 
- On 1 April 1997, the CSFA came off separately from the “Alba” Film Studio, former “Shqipëria e Re” Film Studio. Thereafter, it joined the other cultural institutions, established to ensure that the Albanian society is responsible for the safekeeping and protection of the book, the paintings, the music and folklore, as well as the seventh art forms, belonging both to its own historical emotional and foreign constitution. 
- In 1998, the CSFA become an open institution, and started to run its own program of film shows, first, in other cinemas, and then, in its internal environments. 
- In 1999, the “Kolë Idromeno” 40-seat cinema hall was set up. 
- In 2000, the 120-seat “Salla 2000” for film shows was inaugurated, with optical projection apparatuses. It was a donation from the Albanian Television. In the “Kolë Idromeno” cinema hall, pro-screen digital projection equipment is operated. They provide the possibility for simultaneous subtitling, as well.
- In 2002, the SVHS-operable selected stock was built with a view to running public shows also outside Tirana.
- In 2003, the CSFA was enriched with negative copies of pictures on the history of the Albanian cinematography.
- In 2005, with the Low No. Nr. 9353, dt. 03.03.2005 “For some additions and changes at Low No. 8096, dt. 21.03.1996 “For the Cinematography””, the stock of state-run productions of former “Shqipëris e re” filmstudio, productions of the period 1945 – 1990, passes under administration of National Cinematographic Centre.
- At the end of 2005, CSFA collaborates with the Cultural Heritage Department at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, and prepares the Draft – Status and Internal Rules of the CSFA institution.
- January 2006, the Status of CSFA is approved by the Minister, Mr. Bujar Leskaj.