Kathy Geritz

Kathy Geritz is an American film curator, archivist, and writer renowned for her decades-long work in film preservation and the promotion of avant-garde cinema. As a longtime curator at the University of California, Berkeley's Pacific Film Archive, she has been instrumental in building its collection and presenting influential programs of experimental film, documentary, and international cinema. Her scholarly work and programming have significantly contributed to the recognition and study of underrepresented filmmakers, particularly women and artists of color working in non-commercial forms.

Early life and education

Born in New York City in 1954, Geritz developed an early interest in the arts. She pursued her higher education in California, earning a degree from San Francisco State University, an institution known for its strong cinema studies program. She furthered her academic training at the University of California, Berkeley, where she deepened her knowledge of film theory and history. Her formative years coincided with a vibrant period for Bay Area film culture, exposing her to the work of local artists at venues like Canyon Cinema and the San Francisco Cinematheque.

Career

Geritz began her professional career at the Pacific Film Archive, part of the Berkeley Art Museum, where she would become a foundational figure. She started as a film programmer and later served as the archive's Film Curator, responsible for acquiring prints and organizing public screenings. Her curatorial philosophy emphasized thematic series that connected historical avant-garde cinema with contemporary practices, often highlighting the work of women filmmakers such as Gunvor Nelson and Trinh T. Minh-ha. She collaborated extensively with institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Film Foundation on preservation projects. Geritz also contributed to the field as a writer, authoring essays for publications like *The Moving Image* and catalogues for major exhibitions, including those at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Filmography

Geritz's filmography consists primarily of curated programs and series rather than directorial works. She was the driving force behind significant touring exhibitions such as *"Radical Light: Alternative Film and Video in the San Francisco Bay Area,"* which showcased the region's rich history of experimental film. She co-curated the influential video series *"Mothers of Invention"* for Women Make Movies, focusing on innovations by women media artists. Her programming often featured restored works from collections at the Academy Film Archive and the UCLA Film & Television Archive, bringing classics by filmmakers like Maya Deren and Bruce Conner to new audiences.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Geritz has received significant recognition for her contributions to film culture. She has been the recipient of multiple grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support archival research and public programming. Her work on the *"Radical Light"* project was honored with a special citation from the Society for Cinema and Media Studies. The Association of Moving Image Archivists has also acknowledged her efforts in preservation and access. Her curatorial projects have been supported by foundations such as the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Personal life

Geritz maintains a private personal life, with her public profile centered on her professional achievements. She resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she continues to be active in the local arts community. She has served on advisory panels for organizations including the San Francisco International Film Festival and the California College of the Arts. Her dedication to preserving cinematic heritage is considered a lifelong commitment, influencing generations of scholars, artists, and cinephiles.

Category:American film curators Category:American archivists Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni Category:San Francisco State University alumni