The ISAN Database is a centralized, multi-language and global audiovisual database.

• As a centralized database, it stores all the ISANs and V-ISANs registered worldwide, and all related information describing these works.
  


• As a multi-language database, it supports more than 30 languages. A work can be registered in its original language, even though it is also recommended to record the International or translated title in English.
  


• As a global database, any audiovisual work can be registered, regardless its origin. This includes any kind of audiovisual content – such as feature films, TV movies, TV programs, sports events, live events, video musical clips, video games and more.
  

Each ISAN is associated to a specific work, which is described through standardized metadata. This includes:

• Title
• Duration
• Year of reference
• Country of reference
• Director
• Actors & other participants

This metadata is formatted according to ISO Standard: ISO:15706.1-2. The use of this standard facilitates universal exchange of a work’s descriptive information and the interoperability among digital systems.

The ISAN Database is managed and run by ISAN International Agency in Geneva (Switzerland) and accessible online 24/24, 7 days per week.

As far as today the ISAN Database counts more than 550.000 works and it is growing very fast.

The ISAN Database per work type

The ISAN Database per year of Reference

The ISAN Database per Geographic Mix

Why register an ISAN?

• Certified identification by a unique code recognized worldwide.
• Simplified information exchange for descriptive metadata and therefore increased interoperability between different digital databases.
• Better circulation of a work descriptive metadata due to the permanently accessible ISAN database.
• The best option available for ensuring the accuracy of metadata throughout the value chain.

Who can access to the ISAN Database?

The ISAN Central Database can be accessed in two ways:

• General Public
  

  The General Public can use ISAN-IA’s web site (www.isan.org) to make a Query in the ISAN database. A Query can be made by title or by ISAN. Web site queries will return a limited list of matches displaying only original titles. In order to search for more matches and access more descriptive information, you need to be as a Registered User

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• Registered Users
  
  

  There are two kinds of Registered Users.
  
  

  • Registered Users (Readers)
    
    Any organization or person can become a Registered User (Readers).
    
    After completing the registration process through their local Registration Agency, Registered Users can retrieve the complete descriptive information recorded for all works and versions registered in the ISAN database.
  • Registrants
    
    Registered users can also become ISAN Registrants. This requires affiliation to an ISAN Registration Agency (usually this is determined according to country). ISAN registrants have the same privileges as ISAN Readers plus the right to register new ISANs and V-ISANs.
  
  
  

  Descriptive information required for ISANs.
  
  ISAN codes can only be issued if the following mandatory descriptive information is provided.

  • Mandatory Descriptive information.
  • Title of audiovisual work
    Using the form in which it appears in the work.
    
    
  • Original language(s) of audiovisual work
    Using categories represented by ISO 639-2 language codes.
    
    
  • Year of reference
    Using the year which appears in the work, where applicable.
    
    
  • Full name(s) of principal director(s)
    Including surname and forename, if known and applicable.
    
    
  • Full name(s) of principal cast member(s) or participant(s)
    Minimum of three principal cast members, if applicable and available.
    
    
  • Approximate duration (in minutes and/or seconds)
    This element may be subject to variation if there is more than one version of a work. It provides a general indication for comparison purposes but is not intended as a precise measurement. The duration is not required for non-linear (e.g. interactive) audiovisual works.
    
    
  • Type of work
    For example: feature film; series; commercial; recording of a live event, etc. Using categories specified by the International ISAN Agency.
    
    
  • Live action or animation
    Specify whether the work is animated or live action, or a combination of both.
    
    
  • Is this a composite audiovisual work?
    A composite work is an audiovisual work which contains one or more other audiovisual works or parts of audiovisual works.
    Examples of composite works are:
    • a feature film which contains parts of other film clips;
    • a television program that contains footage from previously produced feature films;
    • a television episode that contains footage from episodes of other television series.
    
    In the case of composite, supply the title and ISAN of each component part, if applicable and available.
    
    
  
  
  
  • Optional Descriptive information.

  ISAN-IA strongly recommends inserting also the optional information in order to further improve identification for a work:

  
  
  
  • Title(s) of other language version(s)
    
    
    
  • Year of first publication or communication to the public
    
    
    
  • Full name of producer(s)
    Include surname and forename, if known and applicable.
    
    
  • Production company(ies)
    
    
    
  • Full name(s) of script writer(s)
    Include surname and forename, if known and applicable.
    
    
  • Other language version(s)
    Using categories represented by ISO 639-2 language codes.
    
    
  • Is this a co-production?
    
    
    
  • Country (or countries) of reference
    Specify whether country of production or of location of shoot.