katherinepertuso@bavc.org
The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums Conference with Victoria Fajardo
Victoria Fajardo, BAVC Media’s Preservation Technician & Audio Specialist, attended the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums (ATALM) Conference last October. She shared her insights and highlighted the importance of preserving Indigenous culture through archival practices, community involvement, and technology. What were your biggest takeaways from the conference? My biggest takeaways from the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums Conference were centered around the importance of preserving Indigenous culture through archival practices, the need for community involvement in these processes, and the evolving role of technology in facilitating access to these resources. It was clear that tribal communities [...]
Mapping the Magnetic Media Landscape: Lessons from Archives Across the U.S.
As part of the Mapping the Magnetic Media Landscape study, BAVC Media's Research and Development Manager, Kailen Sallander, and Director of Special Programs Kelli Shay Hix conducted site visits to three archives across the United States including ENTRE, ‘Ulu’ulu, and Smithsonian Institution's Audiovisual Media Preservation Initiative. This initiative aims to develop a comprehensive, data-driven understanding of analog audiovisual media digitization and conservation efforts nationwide. By engaging directly with organizations working on magnetic media preservation, the project seeks to identify challenges, share creative solutions, and foster collaboration within the field. Below, Kailen reflects on the lessons learned from these organizations. Purpose [...]
Celebrating BAVC Media at Sundance 2025
The Sundance Film Festival 2025 is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to cheer on some incredible films from BAVC Media's community. These works showcase a stunning variety of stories, from a poetic look at Black farmers’ legacy in the American South to an intimate portrayal of Deaf Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, and from an investigation of disability rights to a heartfelt exploration of chosen family. Here’s more information about these incredible projects and the visionary BAVC Media filmmakers behind them. Seeds a BAVC Media supported film directed by 2019 MediaMaker Fellow Brittany Shyne An exploration of Black generational farmers in [...]
BAVC Media at AMIA 2024: Advancing Preservation, Mentorship, and Community Archiving
The Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) annual conference was held in Milwaukee earlier this month. As in-person attendance has been steadily increasing since the remote-only conferences of 2020 and 2021, this year’s venue became a bustling mini-city hosting the brightest minds in film, video, and sound preservation. BAVC Media was among the most visible organizations at the conference, participating in a variety of panels, presentations, and poster sessions. Our Preservation team attended including Tim Lake, Victoria "Kiki" Fajardo, Chris Castro, Adira-Danique Philyaw and Kelli Hix. Camcorder footage captured by Preservation Lab Manager, Christopher Castro In alignment with [...]
Celebrating the 2024 BAVC MediaMaker Fellows
What a year it’s been for the 2024 BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship! On Wednesday, December 4 friends, collaborators, and supporters gathered at the David Brower Center in Berkeley and virtually watched as the 2024 Fellows presented their films and celebrated the culmination of 9 fantastic months in community as a cohort. Those in attendance were impressed not only with the outstanding quality of the films presented but with how much the filmmakers clearly cared for and respected each other. We’re so grateful to our sponsors that made the event possible: Actual Films / AfterImage Public Media Berkeley Film Foundation   A special [...]
Meet BAVC Media Instructor: Ken Schneider
Meet Ken Schneider, a longtime editor, documentarian, and dedicated mentor. He currently teaches Aesthetics of Editing here at BAVC Media. With roots in sound engineering and lighting for local projects, Ken’s filmmaking journey took a pivotal turn when he stepped into the world of documentary editing, sparking a deep love for sculpting raw footage into compelling narratives. Ken has made a profound impact not only as a filmmaker but also as a teacher, guiding new storytellers at BAVC Media. In this interview, Ken shares insights into his approch to film, the lessons he hopes to impart in his upcoming Aesthetics [...]
SF Commons Presents: Podcasting 101 with Isa Nakazawa & Victoria “Kiki” Fajardo
Are you curious about starting your own podcast but don’t know where to begin? Join us for Podcasting 101 on Wednesday, October 30 from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Unlock the tools and knowledge you need to create, launch, and grow your very own podcast! In this free workshop, you’ll learn the essentials of podcasting—from concept development and equipment basics to recording techniques and audio editing tips. Whether you’re an aspiring podcaster or just exploring the medium, this workshop will equip you with the skills to confidently record and publish your voice for the world to hear. What You'll Learn: Podcasting Fundamentals: Understand the different types [...]
Announcing: BAVC Media Collaboration with the BAYLIST
The Black List, the world-renowned platform that has transformed the screenwriting industry since 2005, is thrilled to announce The Bay List: a new collaboration between The Black List and Rafael Casal designed to identify and highlight ten exceptional screenplays and pilots by writers from or with close ties to the Bay Area. This project is helmed by hometown heroes and tastemakers looking to champion writing from the next class of emerging storytellers, including BAVC Media! Additional participants in the inaugural Bay List include: Unanimous Media (Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton), Playtone (Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman), 186K Films (Hasan Minhaj [...]
MediaMaker Fellows at the 20th Camden International Film Festival
The 2024 BAVC MediaMaker Fellows traveled by plane and car from across the country to midcoast Maine for the 20th Camden International Film Festival. It was a thrill and a pleasure to attend along with festival staff from the last two decades, documentary filmmakers from across the globe, and industry professionals who know that CIFF is something special. We reunited with BAVC Media-supported filmmakers who were at CIFF to screen new films and pitch their latest projects. Throughout the long weekend we participated in all of our favorite annual traditions (the Points North Pitch, the Town Hall, 1-on-1 industry meetings, [...]
Announcing Playback Lab, Free Video Preservation for San Francisco Residents
BAVC Media and SF COMMONS have unveiled our new community preservation center, the Playback Lab! Inspired by the Memory Lab Network at public libraries nationwide, BAVC Media and SF COMMONS now offer free, do-it-yourself audiovisual preservation services for San Francisco residents. Boasting a variety of playback machines, the SF COMMONS Playback Lab empowers our community to control their own stories held on video formats most common to the average creator. “We’re really playing against the clock with analog media, and quickly running out of time to save crucial stories that give character to our local community. San Francisco has had [...]
