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Renan (Sheldon) Papers
PFA.MSS.003
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
BAMPFA Film Library
Title: Sheldon Renan program notes, correspondence, and related Pacific Film Archive material
creator:
Renan, Sheldon, 1941-
Identifier/Call Number: PFA.MSS.003
Physical Description:
2 cartons
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1967-1975
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English
Physical Description: Some of the documents were originally printed on tracing paper and are torn or heavily creased. These documents have been
photocopied.
Physical Location: UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive Film Library and Study Center
The collection is open for research use.
The collection appears to be is complete. It contains all of the Sheldon Renan papers that have been stored at the Pacific
Film Archive since his departure as director in 1975.
The material is arranged into five series:
Series 1 - PFA early years
Series 2 - Film materials from Renan period at PFA
Series 3 - Film programming materials
Series 4 - Festivals and conferences
Series 5 - Correspondence
Sheldon Renan was born in Portland, Oregon in 1941. He graduated from Yale University in 1963 and prior to his arrival in
Berkeley he wrote television commercials in New York City and then worked for film importing companies. As a recipient of
a Rockefeller grant he was able to write a book about experimental films, "Introduction to American Underground Film". Renan
then came to Berkeley from New York City in 1966. Renan is considered to be the principal founder of the Pacific Film Archive
at the University Art Museum, University of California, Berkeley. Using the model he had seen at New York's Museum of Modern
Art where the film department served as archive, study center and exhibition program, Renan set out to start the same type
of organization in the Bay Area. Renan began by proposing this model to the San Francisco Museum of Art and then the Oakland
Museum but both institutions turned him down. However, the University Art Museum at Berkley's new director, Peter Selz agreed.
Sheldon Renan was appointed the Pacific Film Archive's first director in 1967. In September 1967 film programs were presented
on a weekly basis at Wheeler Auditorium on the university campus, and sometimes in a Dwinelle lecture hall. However, in its
beginnings the official existence of the Pacific Film Archive was not recognized by the university administration. This situation
evolved and on January 22, 1971 the PFA was given its permanent official home in the University Art Museum's new building
on Durant Avenue.
[Identification of item], Sheldon Renan program notes, correspondence, and related Pacific Film Archive material, 1967-1975.
[PFA--MSS--003]. UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, University of California, Berkeley.
The collection contains the papers of Sheldon Renan, during his professional affiliation with the Pacific Film Archive at
the University of California, Berkeley. This includes his early work, starting in 1967, of founding the film archive and being
appointed the PFA's first director up until his resignation in 1975. Therefore the scope of the collection is from 1967 to
1975. The collection is a record of Renan's work in developing the PFA. The Renan papers in the collection include his notes
and correspondence on film programming projects presented at the PFA, as well as film festivals and conference papers Renan
attended while acting as the PFA director. Sheldon Renan's work represents a significant contribution to the achievements
of the modern Pacific Film Archive today. This archival collection is an important part of the PFA's heritage.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Motion picture producers and directors--California
Film festivals
Film archives
Motion picture theaters
Motion picture film collections
Renan, Sheldon, 1941-
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive
Renan, Sheldon, 1941-