[2] This collection initiative laid the foundation for the Australian Cinémathèque, which aimed to bridge the gap between old and new moving-image media through retrospective and thematic screening programs.

[3] The project to create GOMA was championed by the Queensland Government in the early 2000s, signalling their commitment to the arts by allocating $260 million out of the 1999 State Budget.

[13] Showcasing the Cinémathèque's role in presenting a rich mix of visual media, it served to further establish its importance within the cultural precinct and has since hosted numerous film events and exhibitions.

It is utilised for accompanying classic silent films, providing an immersive audio experience through powerful pipes which are positioned beneath the seating area.

The two main cinemas are located on the ground floor of the gallery and are one of the few in Australia capable of screening a full range of movie media, including 35mm and 16mm celluloid film, tape and various digital file formats.

These include Robert Bresson, Powell & Pressburger, Ute Araund & Robert Beavers, Gregory J. Markopoulos, Andrzej Zulawski, John Seale, Juliette Binoche, Mikio Naruse, Joyce Godenzi, Jane Campion, Frederico Fellini, Ernst Lubitsch, Wong Kar-wai, Aleksei German, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Luchino Visconti, Ida Lupino, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Ingmar Bergman, Masaki Kobayashi, Shirley Clarke, David Lynch, Andrey Tarkovsky, Claire Denis, Andy Warhol and David Bowie.