Pacific Film Archive film and video collection, 1894-Present

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Summary

Creators:
Pacific Film Archive
Abstract:
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.
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English Japanese Chinese Russian Georgian
Preferred citation:

Pacific Film Archive film and video collection. UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley, CA 94720-2250.

Background

Scope and content:

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.

PFA's film and video collection includes over 15,000 works in all gauges and formats. These include 35mm, 16mm, 8mm and super 8mm film; video in multiple analog and digital formats (Betamax, VHS, 3/4" U-Matic, DVD, laserdisc, Beta-SP, digital Betacam, etc.) and standards (NTSC, PAL, SECAM). Collection strengths include Japanese films, Soviet silents, West Coast avant-garde cinema, seminal video art, rare animation, Eastern European and Central Asian productions, and international classics. The collection contains primarily positive viewing copies, most of which are available for on-site study use by appointment.

Acquisition information:
PFA's collection grows primarily through donation, including both financial support for acquisitions and gifts of films and videos. Distributors, filmmakers, fellow archives, and private collectors have all made significant contributions. Grant-funded preservation projects yield archival masters and new prints and videotapes, which ensure that works in the collection will survive for future generations.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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.

Preferred citation:

Pacific Film Archive film and video collection. UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley, CA 94720-2250.

Location of this collection:
2120 Oxford Street
#2250
Berkeley, CA 94720-2250, US
Contact:
(510) 642-1437
bampfafilmlibrary@berkeley.edu
Website