Explore CineFiles

CineFiles is an ongoing project of the BAMPFA Film Library and Study Center. This website, run on the open source Blacklight framework, contains scanned images of reviews, press kits, film festival and repertory theater program notes, newspaper articles, and other ephemera from our extensive collections.

Some documents are restricted due to copyright and require a free account to access. Read about CineFiles accounts, our privacy policy, and more here.

pacific film archive program for July to August 1972
50+ years of film at BAMPFA

Film at BAMPFA since 1971

In 1971 the Pacific Film Archive began its celebrated film exhibition program. BAMPFA continues to offer a diverse repertory slate of over 450 screenings each year. Explore programs from our first decade (and beyond!).

The July-August 1972 Pacific Film Archive program guide

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postcard for Jia Zhangke's film, the world
Jia Zhangke

Jia Zhangke

For November 2024, BAMPFA hosts Jia Zhangke in residence. One of the leaders of the Sixth Generation of Chinese filmmakers, Jia has worked independently in narrative and documentary films. His works reflect contemporary China in constant change, between tradition and globaization.

Postcard for The world (Jia, 2004)

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Poscard for screening of Paul Clipson's films at The Lab, San Francisco showing a grid of eyes in different colors
Bay Area avant-garde

Bay Area avant-garde films

The San Francisco Bay Area has been a focal point for experimental filmmaking from the late 1800s to the present, and local avant-garde cinema is a strength of BAMPFA's film collection and our exhibition program.

Poscard for screening of Paul Clipson's films at The Lab, San Francisco

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still from sally cruikshank's promotional short for an unmade film, showing the cartoon character Anita sitting in a chair
Sally Cruikshank

Sally Cruikshank

Sally Cruikshank's offbeat animations flourished in the Bay Area, where she produced some of her best known films, including Quasi at the Quackadero (1978) and Make Me Psychic (1976). In the 1980s and 90s she also made short cartoons for Sesame Street.

Still from a 1979 promotional short for Quasi's Cabaret (unproduced).

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still from Sergei Parajanov's film Arabesque on a Pirosmani Theme
Sergei Parajanov Centennial

Sergei Parajanov

In November 2024, BAMPFA presents a centennial tribute to the legendary Armenian poet-filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, who worked across transnational boundaries and struggled against the Soviet authorities, who banned and censored his films.

Still from Arabesque on a Pirosmani Theme (Sergei Parajanov, 1985)

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promotional booklet for the film seven samurai
Cinema Classics Onscreen

Cinema Classics Onscreen

BAMPFA regularly screens favorites of world cinema. In our ongoing series of special screenings, recent releases, restored classics, and special guests grace the Barbro Osher Theater at BAMPFA.

Promotional booklet for Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, 1954), playing November 24th. Purchase tickets here!

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portrait of film star Marin Sais
Silent film stars

Silver screen idols

Explore our collection of head shots, on-set stills, and portraits of actors, directors, and other personalities who got their start in the golden age of silent films. Cinema changed worldwide with the introduction of sound beginning in 1927, and only some of these stars successfully transitioned to the "talkies."

Portrait of film star Marin Sais.

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actor Marcello Mastroianni in the film La Dolce Vita
Marcello Mastroianni Centennial

Marcello Mastroianni

Actor Marcello Mastroianni’s contribution to the history of cinema made an indelible mark. Beloved by filmgoers for his on-screen charisma, charm, and elegance, his centennial year is being marked by festivals and cinematheques around the world.

Marcello Mastroianni in La Dolce Vita (Federico Fellini, 1960).

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