Description
The Pacific Film Archive was conceived as an American version of the Cinematheque Francaise in Paris—a center committed not
only to exhibiting films under the best possible conditions, but also to increasing the understanding, appreciation, and preservation
of cinema through its study center, collections, and publications. The Pacific Film Archive houses over 15,000 films and videos,
including the largest collection of Japanese films outside of Japan, as well as impressive holdings of Soviet silents, West
Coast avant-garde cinema, seminal video art, rare animation, Eastern European and Central Asian productions, and international
classics.
Extent
The PFA film and video collection includes more than 10,000 films and 5,000 videos made from 1894 to the present.
Restrictions
Due to copyright restrictions, film and video from the PFA collection may not be reproduced. The PFA collection is available
for private research use within the parameters of the Fair Use clause of the U.S. Copyright Act; contact library staff for
more information.
Availability
Contact the PFA Library at (510) 642-1437 to arrange research screenings of films and videos in the collection. Screening
facilities include a ten-seat screening room for 16mm, 8mm, video, laserdisc, and DVD formats. Flatbed viewing tables which
can accommodate no more than two people are available for 16mm and 35mm. Screenings take place on-site only, during the normal
library operating hours of Monday through Wednesday, 1 to 5 p.m. All screening appointments must be made at least two weeks
in advance.