Media Archivist (Film & Documentary Production)

Signal Flare Digital Sdn Bhd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 54,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Signal Flare Digital Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a resourceful Media Archivist to support documentary and digital productions for international audiences. You will conduct archival research, source footage, manage archives and coordinate rights clearance to enable smooth post‑production.

Collaborate with Producers and Editors to curate materials, track usage and licensing, and ensure proper documentation for delivery.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Film, Media, Broadcasting, Journalism, Communications or a related field.
• 2 years of experience in documentary production or related role.
• Good editorial judgement and storytelling.
• Strong research skills and ability to locate credible archival material.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Proficient in Excel or Google Sheets.

Responsibilities

• Research, identify and source archival footage and materials.
• Explore archival libraries and digital archives locally and internationally.
• Catalogue, organise and manage archival footage.
• Coordinate acquisition, ingestion and delivery for editorial use.
• Maintain archival logs, references and clearance records.
• Work with Editors to identify suitable footage.
• Track licensing costs and clearance status.
• Ensure materials are properly documented for distribution.
• Support final archival documentation and delivery requirements.

Skills

Editorial judgement

Research skills

English proficiency

Organisational skills

Multitasking

Collaborative attitude

Education

Diploma or degree in Film, Media, Broadcasting, Journalism, Communications or a related field

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Media Archivist (Film & Documentary Production)

We're looking for a resourceful and detail-oriented Media Archivist to join our team, working on documentary and digital productions for international audiences.

This role combines media archival research, footage sourcing, archive management, copyright clearance and post-production support.

The ideal candidate has a strong eye for storytelling and visual aesthetics, with the ability to research, source and organize compelling archival footage, visuals, images and historical materials that bring stories to life.

You'll work closely with our Producers, Directors and Editorial team to ensure archival materials are creatively relevant, properly documented and ready for post-production.

Beyond finding the right archival content, you'll be responsible for tracking its usage throughout the editing process, coordinating licensing and permissions, tracking archival costs and ensuring all materials are properly documented and cleared for distribution.

What You'll Do

Archival Research & Sourcing

Research, identify and source archival footage, images, audio recordings and historical materials for long-form content and documentary productions.

Explore archival libraries, news agencies, broadcasters, digital archives and other sources locally and internationally.

Identify compelling archival materials that support the narrative, visual style and editorial direction of each production.

Verify the accuracy, authenticity and relevance of archival materials.

Develop and maintain relationships with archival sources, agencies and rights holders.

Catalogue, organise and manage archival footage.

Coordinate the acquisition, ingestion and delivery of archival materials for editorial use.

Work closely with Editors to identify suitable footage and respond to evolving storytelling requirements.

Maintain accurate archival logs, source references and clearance records.

Ensure archival materials are properly organised and accessible throughout post-production.

Support final archival documentation and delivery requirements.

Rights Clearance & Licensing

Coordinate copyright clearances, licensing enquiries and permissions for third‑party archival materials.

Liaise with archive owners and licensing agencies to obtain quotations, usage rights and supporting documentation.

Track licensing costs, usage restrictions and clearance status against project requirements and budgets.

Maintain accurate records of archival sources, permissions and licensing agreements.

Work with Producers and Production Management to ensure archival materials meet applicable legal and delivery requirements.

What You'll Bring

Diploma or degree in Film, Media, Broadcasting, Journalism, Communications or a related field.

Good editorial judgement and an eye for compelling visual storytelling.

Strong research skills, with the ability to identify credible sources and locate relevant archival materials.

General knowledge of current affairs, history, culture and international events.

Basic understanding of copyright, archival licensing and rights clearance.

Good written and spoken English.

At least 2 years of experience in documentary production, factual television, archival research, journalism or a related role.

Proficient in Excel, Google Sheets or similar database and tracking tools.

Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight production deadlines.

A proactive and collaborative attitude.

Nice To Have

Familiarity with media file formats and post-production workflows.

Familiarity with media rights and licensing management.

If you've previously worked on projects involving archival footage, historical research or rights clearance, we'd love to hear about your experience.

The Kind of Media Archivist We’d Love to Meet

You're naturally curious, love digging for information and have a knack for finding that one piece of footage that makes a story come alive.

You have an eye for detail, a good sense of storytelling and the patience to track down information that isn't always easy to find. You understand why accuracy, copyright and proper documentation matter, and you take pride in getting the little things right.

You enjoy working with creative teams and you bring initiative, creativity and care to your work.

Perhaps your background is in journalism, broadcasting, documentary research, post-production or media asset management, and you’re ready to bring those skills into documentaries, films and series with greater narrative depth and purpose.

Why Signal Flare

At Signal Flare, we believe in the power of storytelling to inform, inspire and create meaningful impact.

We produce documentary, factual and digital content for international audiences, bringing together creative talent from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that matter.

We're looking for people who are curious, creative, resourceful and passionate about storytelling.