Smithsonian Institution Archives

Program Records, 1977-2016

Summary
Collection ID:
SIA.FA17-252
Creators:
National Museum of the American Indian. Film and Video Center
Dates:
1977-2016
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
21.5 cu. ft. (21 record storage boxes) (1 document box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Descriptive Entry
Descriptive Entry
This accession consists of records that document the breadth and history of the programs and work of the FVC, including the NAFVF, film screenings, the Native Americans on Film and Video publications, and the Native Networks / Redes Indigenas website. Some materials date to when the before the National Museum of the American Indian as was a part of the Smithsonian and was known at the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation.
Another project documented in the accession is Proyecto Audio-Visual Indigenista (PAVI), which was a project to survey individuals and organizations in twenty-six South and Central American countries who are knowledgeable about indigenous works on audio, film and video in their respective regions. The project was initiated to increase awareness of the media in Central and South America - who produces it, what types of works are available, how these works are used in relation to indigenous and non-indigenous communities - as well as to facilitate contact between indigenous producers and organization in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries and funding, distribution, and producing organization in the United States and Europe.
Staff represented in the collection include Elizabeth Weatherford, Founder and Head, and Emelia Seubert, Assistant Curator. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, grant proposals, images, newsletters, programs, budget records, brochures, invitations, press releases, transcripts, survey records, retreat records, audience evaluations, permissions and releases, audio and video recordings, clippings, and other related records. Some materials are in Spanish as well as in electronic format.
Historical Note
Historical Note
Created in 1979 within the former Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation in New York, the Film and Video Center (FVC) was the country's oldest media arts center for Native and indigenous film. The center was dedicated to promoting Native and indigenous filmmaking throughout the Americas and opening up new opportunities for Native film.
One of its major programs was the biennial Native American Film + Video Festival (NAFVF), which showcased new works of independent film and videomakers and Native American mediamakers, with a focus on current issues and contemporary life. The Festival ran from 1979 to 2011.
In addition to the NAFVF, the FVC also presented and supported a variety of film festivals. Starting in 2000 as a partnership with the Center for Contemporary Arts, the Native Cinema Showcase brought Native films and filmmakers to Santa Fe's Indian Market. Among the other festivals it participated in or supported are: the Pacifika Showcase; the D.C. Environmental Film Festival; First Nations/First Features: A Showcase of World Indigenous Cinema; the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum's Native FilmFest in Palm Springs, California; and Arizona State Museum's Native Eyes Film Festival in Tucson, Arizona.
FVC also hosted two film ongoing film series that showed feature-length films, followed by discussion: Dinner and a Movie in Washington, D.C., and At the Movies in New York. At each location there were regular daytime screenings for general audiences and frequent special programs. In Washington, films were shown several time a week that were geared towards families, educators, and students. In New York, daily screenings highlighted topics related to current exhibitions and important themes in contemporary Native American life. Also in New York, FVC presented Especially for Kids which was a daily morning program for children.
In addition the FVC published Native Americans on Film and Video (2 volumes) which serves as a compilation of primarily documentary films made by and about Native Americans. Not only do the volumes contain listings of video tapes and films, including general descriptions, production data, running times, production credits, language of the production, and distribution information; but also sections on special film collections across the country and additional resources.
Another project that the FVC worked on was developing the website, Native Networks / Redes Indigenas, which reflected the live meetings and workshops that the FVC organized for filmmakers attending the NAFVF.
Administration
Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives
Using the Collection
Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 17-252, National Museum of the American Indian. Film and Video Center, Program Records
Use Restriction
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2032; Transferring office; 06/23/2017 memorandum, Toda to Brill; Contact reference staff for details.
More Information
Notes
SI Records
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Weatherford, Elizabeth Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Seubert, Emelia Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Arizona State Museum Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of the American Indian (U.S.). George Gustav Heye Center Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Native American Film + Video Festival Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Native Cinema Showcase Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pacifika Showcase Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
D.C. Environmental Film Festival Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
First Nations/First Features: A Showcase of World Indigenous Cinema Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Native FilmFest Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Native Eyes Film Festival Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Native Networks (Website) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Native Americans on Film and Video (Monograph) Title Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Proyecto Audio-Visual Indigenista Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion pictures Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Film festivals Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Motion picture producers and directors Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of North America -- Social life and customs Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Video recordings -- Production and direction Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Documentary videos Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of South America -- Social life and customs Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of Central America -- Social life and customs Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians in motion pictures Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians in popular culture Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museums -- Educational aspects Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of South America -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of North America -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Indians of Central America -- History Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electronic images Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Electronic records Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Compact discs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Digital versatile discs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Floppy disks Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Color photographs Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Black-and-white transparencies Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Color transparencies Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Audiotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Videotapes Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Repository Contact
Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu