Black Film Center & Archive

Black Film Center & Archive

1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library, Room 044
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
Visit Black Film Center & Archive
812-855-6041
Founded in 1981, the Black Film Center & Archive (BFCA) is a repository of films and related materials made by, about, and featuring African Americans, the people of Africa, and the African diaspora. Holdings date from 1895 to the present and include films, personal papers, posters, photographs, press kits, pressbooks, and interviews with filmmakers and actors.

Our Collections

African American Contributions to Film Collection, 1934-2003

The African American Contribution to Film Collection contains advertising materials, photographs, pressbooks, press kits, and Japanese programs for films and several television series dating from 1934 to 2003 featuring African Americans.
Collection ID: COL 24

Alile Sharon Larkin Collection, 1979-1982

Consists of two films directed by Sharon Larkin.
Collection ID: COL 36

Belva Davis and William Moore Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives collection, approximately 1974-1994

The Belva Davis and William Moore Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives collection contains audiovisual recordings of BFHFI events hosted between 1978 and 1993 as well as text-based documents generated during the production of the 2nd and 18th annual BFHFI Black History Month Celebration in 1975 and 1991.
Collection ID: COL 4

BFCA Interviews and Events collection, 1981-present

This is an artificially created collection that contains recordings and promotional materials for interviews and events created as part of the Indiana University Black Film Center & Archive's ongoing in-house research and outreach initatives.
Collection ID: COL 8

Bridgett Davis Naked Acts Collection, 1991-2009, bulk 1994-1999

The Bridgett Davis Naked Acts collection focuses on Davis's activities as a filmmaker from 1994 through 2009. The collection comprises production materials, film elements, promotional materials, and press coverage related to the film and Davis's role in its creation.
Collection ID: COL 19

Burnham Ware Collection, 1980-1989

Video and audio prints of lectures filmed by filmmaker and still photographer, Burnham Ware.
Collection ID: Special Collection BW

Byllye Avery Collection, 1937-1997

Video and audio prints related to the making of On Becoming a Woman.
Collection ID: COL 34

Edward Mapp Collection, 1937-2011

Consists of posters, advertisements, and photographs featuring African American actors and actresses, as well as videocassettes and DVDs.
Collection ID: COL 1

FESPACO Collection, 2007-2017

Flyers, publications, and miscellaneous material related to the FESPACO Festival beginning in 2007.
Collection ID: COL 13

Hatch-Billops Collection, 1937-1995

Papers and related material documenting the careers of Camille Billops and James Hatch.
Collection ID: COL 22

In Touch with the Spirit Collection, 1989-1994

Papers and related material documenting the In Touch with the Spirit conference, held on July 9-12, 1992 in Indianapolis, IN.
Collection ID: Special Collection ITS

Jessie Maple Collection, 1971-1992

Papers and films of independent female African American filmmaker Jessie Maple. The collection includes seven of her films, articles and a book Maple wrote, grant proposals, materials documenting discrimination lawsuits she filed in order to work as a cameraperson along with other material.
Collection ID: COL 2

John West Collection, 1997-2000

Materials related to the film Bar-Be-Q.
Collection ID: COL 28

Josef Gugler African and Middle Eastern Film Collection, 1947-2013

The Josef Gugler collection consists of promotional materials for films produced in or directed by filmmakers from Africa and the Middle East. Over 500 unique films by approximately 350 film directors are represented. Formats include film posters, pressbooks, chirashi flyers, lobby and storefront cards, handbills, photographs, slides, and audiovisual recordings.
Collection ID: COL 12

Josef Gugler African and Middle Eastern Film Collection. Series 1. Posters, approximately 1954-2012

The Josef Gugler collection consists of promotional materials for films produced in or directed by filmmakers from Africa and the Middle East. Over 500 unique films by approximately 350 film directors are represented. Formats include film posters, pressbooks, chirashi flyers, lobby and storefront cards, handbills, photographs, slides, and audiovisual recordings.
Collection ID: COL 12 (VAD7503)

Josef Gugler African and Middle Eastern Film Collection. Series 2. Audiovisual Recordings, 1968-2013

The Josef Gugler collection consists of promotional materials for films produced in or directed by filmmakers from Africa and the Middle East. Over 500 unique films by approximately 350 film directors are represented. Formats include film posters, pressbooks, chirashi flyers, lobby and storefront cards, handbills, photographs, slides, and audiovisual recordings.
Collection ID: COL 12 (VAD7505)

Josef Gugler African and Middle Eastern Film Collection. Series 3. Small Format Publicity Materials, 1950-2012

The Josef Gugler collection consists of promotional materials for films produced in or directed by filmmakers from Africa and the Middle East. Over 500 unique films by approximately 350 film directors are represented. Formats include film posters, pressbooks, chirashi flyers, lobby and storefront cards, handbills, photographs, slides, and audiovisual recordings.
Collection ID: COL 12 (VAD7504)

J. Ronald Green Papers on Oscar Micheaux, approximately 1911-2010, bulk 1990-2004

Papers and related materials of writer, researcher, and professor J. Ronald Green. The collection contains research, drafts, and correspondence pertaining to the publication of Green's books Straight Lick: The Cinema of Oscar Micheaux (2000) and With a Crooked Stick—The Films of Oscar Micheaux (2004), as well as a number of his scholarly articles.
Collection ID: COL 25

Kathe Sandler Collection, approximately 1973-1992, bulk 1984-1992

The Kathe Sandler Collection contains 16mm film and sound outtakes, original negatives, other film and pre-production elements, and transcripts from A Question of Color and Remembering Thelma.
Collection ID: COL 18 (VAE0320)

Louis Guida Collection, 1990-1999

Materials related to the film Saturday Night, Sunday Morning.
Collection ID: COL 10

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 10. HRMS, volunteer, and staff documents, 1970s-2000s

This series contains human resource files and miscellaneous files generated by the BFHFI's staff members and volunteers that are not clearly related to one of the other series (e.g., reports on BFHFI supported conference trips, BFHFI-related grant applications, personal files, etc.).
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5319)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 11. General Financial and Fundraising Documents, 1974-2013

This series contains financial documents generated by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame's operations and activities as well as a small number of legal documents.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5323)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 12. Memorabilia and artifacts, approximately 1940s-2003, bulk 1974-1992

This series contains memorabilia related to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame including inductee plaques and handprints, signed books and programs, offical government proclamations and commendations, costumes and clothing, and an assortment of additional three-dimensional and print artifacts.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5458)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 13. Third party publications, approximately 1940s-2008, bulk 1959-2006

This series contains books, event programs, newsletters, and journals by third party publishers from the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame library.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5405)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 14. Research files, approximately 1951-2009

This series contains research files used to support the activities and publications of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (BFHFI).
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5462)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 15. Mary Perry Smith's personal and research files, approximately 1962-2011

This series contains documents stemming from Mary Perry Smith's activities outside of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and a few of her personal papers.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5474)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 16. Miscellaneous, approximately 1970s-2008

This series contains documents and artifacts that do not fit within the other series of the collection or whose fit within the collection cannot be determined. Included are roughly three dozen U-matic videocassettes of the 1989 Black Choreographers conference and production cassettes for a project on Black soldiers.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD7352)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 1. Publicity Materials, 1974-1996

This series contains publicity materials used to promote the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame's events including souvenir programs, flyers, event announcements, invitations, posters, and tickets.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5314)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 2. Oscar Micheaux Awards Ceremony and Gala, approximately 1974-2008, bulk 1974-1993

This series contains administrative documents generated by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in the process of planning and producing the annual Oscar Micheaux Awards Ceremony and the Celebrity Dinner and Dance Gala from 1974-1993. Also included are a handful of documents related to planning a 23rd, 24th, 30th, and 35th awards ceremony between 1995 and 2008, although these ceremonies ultimately were never hosted.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5316)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 3. Film Lecture Series and Symposium, 1984-1994

This series contains administrative records documenting the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame's annual Film and Lecture Series and Symposium.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5300)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives collection, Series 5. Sidney Poitier Fellowship Competition, 1985-1993, bulk 1992-1993

This series contains papers, application packets, and audiovisual materials related to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame's 1993 Sidney Poitier Fellowship competition. Applications to the program include written film proposals, scripts, sample works on videocassette, and other materials submitted by film and video makers competing for fellowship awards.
Collection ID: COL 5

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 6. Miscellaneous BFHFI Events, 1978-2006, bulk 1984-2003

This series contains administrative records documenting many of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame's smaller events.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5299)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 7. BFHFI Event Recordings, approximately 1982-2001, bulk 1989-1993

This series contains audiovisual recordings of events hosted by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame including the annual Oscar Micheaux Awards Ceremony, Independent Film, Video & Screenplay Competition awards ceremony, Film and Lecture Series, annual symposium, and Black Filmworks film festival, as well as various workshops, lectures, interviews, and miscellaneous smaller events.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5304)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 8. Board and Committee Documents, 1974-2007

This series contains documents generated by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Board of Directors and various committees.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5306)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, Series 9. General Correspondence, 1974-2007

This series contains correspondence sent and received by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame since its inception in 1974 until the effective end of operations in 2007.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD5315)

Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, subseries 4. Black Filmworks & the annual BFHFI Independent Film, Video & Screenplay Competition, 1987-2003, bulk 1990-2003

This subseries contains papers, application packets, and audiovisual materials related to the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame's Black Filmworks film festival and annual Independent Film, Video & Screenplay Competition.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD4348)

Michael T. Martin Collection, 1935-2016, bulk 1988-2006

Papers and audiovisual materials from the career of documentarian and Indiana University professor Michael T. Martin.
Collection ID: COL 30

Overview of the Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, approximately 1974-2006

This collection contains a wide array of materials documenting the history and activities of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (BFHFI). The materials were collected and/or created by Mary Perry Smith from the time immediately predating the BFHFI's first Black History Month celebration in 1974 to the efforts of its remaining supporters to revitalize the organization following its final film festival in 2003. Highlights include event publicity and souvenirs; celebrity memorabilia; moving image and screenplay submissions to the BFHFI's annual competition; Phil Moore's personal papers, arrangements, lyric sheets, recordings, and photographs; video recordings of BFHFI events; correspondence; and administrative, board, and planning documents.
Collection ID: COL 5 (VAD4347)

Phil Moore Collection, approximately 1918-1987, bulk 1953-1987

This collection, which was donated as part of the Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Archives Collection, contains the personal papers and artifacts, business and financial records, photographs, audiovisual recordings, and musical manuscripts of composer, arranger, performer, and talent coach Phil Moore.
Collection ID: COL 6

Phil Moore Collection, Series 17.7. Music manuscripts, approximately 1940s-1987

Music manuscripts composed and arranged by Phil Moore including scores and parts for full orchestra, small ensembles, vocalist with keyboard accompaniment, lead sheets, and initial sketches. Moore composed in a wide range of genres, but works in various jazz styles popular during the early 1940s through the 1960s are particularly well represented. His musical manuscripts include arrangements for night club acts, musicals, and studio recordings; soundtrack material for films, television productions, cartoons, and commercials; and various forms of Western art music. When known, the name of the artist a specific arrangement was made for has been provided.
Collection ID: COL 6 (VAD8333)

Richard E. Norman and Race Filmmaking Collection, 1912-1997

Consists of distribution records, correspondence, film publicity, posters, photographs, censorship materials, and fiscal statements of film producer and distributor Richard Edward Norman.
Collection ID: COL 16

Robert Kya-Hill Collection, 1960-2009, bulk 1968-1969

Papers and related material documenting the career of actor, director, musician, and educator Robert Kya-Hill and the 1969 film Slaves.
Collection ID: COL 20

St. Clair Bourne Collection, 1965-2002

Contains the creative printed works of, and clippings and articles pertaining to, St. Clair Bourne and his works.
Collection ID: COL 26

S. Torriano Berry Collection, 1982-2008

Films and books created or written by Steven Torriano Berry.
Collection ID: COL 3

Warrington Hudlin Collection, 1977

Works of Warrington Hudlin.
Collection ID: Special Collection WH

William Greaves Collection, 1968-2003

Writings, speeches, promotional materials, clippings, and information about the documentary film pursuits of William Greaves.
Collection ID: COL 21

William Miles Collection Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II, 1982-1997

Materials relating to William Miles' 1992 documentary, Liberators: Fighting on Two Fronts in World War II.
Collection ID: COL 9