Frameline Film Festival Collection, 1919-2006 (bulk 1985-2005)

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Summary

Creators:
Frameline (Firm).
Abstract:
Extent:
approximately 4,000 films (in 94 cartons)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Frameline Film Festival Collection. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center

Background

Scope and content:

The collection of nearly 4,000 videos includes not only the movies shown in past festivals, but films submitted to the Frameline Festival which were never screened. The films are in various formats (VHS videotapes, DVDs, and 3/4-inch videotapes) and various lengths. The subjects are also varied and include all aspects of LGBTQIA life. Some of the notable titles in the collection are: the censored 1986 BBC TV production "Two of Us;" the 1988 Thai gay feature, "I Am a Man" (described as the Thai remake of "The Boys in the Band"); and the obscure 1980 Japanese lesbian feature, "Afternoon Breezes." The collection includes hundreds of shorts, documentaries and features that explore the impact of HIV/AIDS on the gay community. The scope of titles is expansive and includes the first ever American feature film about AIDS, Arthur Bressan's "Buddies." Rare examples of documentary and educational work from the mid-1980s include the 1985 Minnesota AIDS Project production, "On The Safe Side" and the celebratory 1986 portrait of PWA David Summers, "Hero of My Own Life." The collection is arranged according to format. PDF and Excel lists of the films are available at: www.sfpl.org/frameline.

Biographical / historical:

Frameline is a San Francisco Bay Area cultural organization founded in 1977. It hosts the annual San Francisco International LGBTQ film festival which is the longest-running, largest and most widely recognized LGBTQ film exhibition event in the world. Since 1977 Frameline has acquired thousands of videotapes from filmmakers reflecting the history and diversity of the international LGBT community.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Frameline, 2007.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. The collection is non-circulating and is stored offsite. Please allow up to 4 weeks for access as all requested videos require digitization. Patrons will be notified when the digitized copy is available for their use. Original videotapes may not be played back; but they may be available to handle as an object. The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. For more information, please contact the Hormel LGBTQIA Center archivist.

Terms of access:

Copyright for all films is retained by individual filmmakers. Frameline holds no legal rights to the materials except for use as a non-circulating collection used for research.

Preferred citation:

Frameline Film Festival Collection. San Francisco Public Library, James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website