Bay Area Television Archive

05/28/2026

There's some fascinating scenes in this KRON coverage of what was perhaps San Francisco's largest anti-Vietnam march on April 24, 1971. Rock music punctuates obvious tensions within the massive crowd, played out on-screen as bodies are slammed together and break apart ... [link to video in Comments]

05/28/2026

We just released 16 new clips from the Television Archive today, which run the gamut from Loose Gravel rehearsing and Don Rickles attacking, to Miss San Francisco being crowned and American N***s getting blitzed at SF State ... Link to the 'Explore' page in DIVA in the Comments.

05/28/2026

We just released KRON's film footage shot at the Fillmore Auditorium (1805 Geary Blvd.) in May 1966 featuring The Velvet Underground & Nico. They appear 2:53 into the clip, after an interview with Bill Graham from July 1971. Thanks again to Alec Palao for his gracious help. [link to video in Comments].

05/18/2026

We recently scanned a KRON interview with promoter Bill Graham shot on July 3, 1971, just before Fillmore West closed. This 16mm film reel also features gorgeous, color footage of the Velvet Underground & Nico playing live onstage - which local rock historian Alec Palao pointed out was actually shot in May 1966. This was apparently some of the earliest footage taken inside the venue and is a real find (see screen shots)! We'll be releasing this clip in a couple of weeks.

05/01/2026

Rachael J. Morrison’s feature documentary 'Joybubbles' is playing tonight at the Smith Rafael Film Center in downtown San Rafael, at 7:30pm. There’s a conversation immediately after the film and a free follow up event at Il Davide Restaurant, at 9pm.

05/01/2026

A reminder that photojournalist Erik Castro’s personal documentary ‘Creating a Photojournalist’ is playing at the Smith Rafael Film Center in downtown San Rafael on Saturday May 2, at 4:00pm. There’s a conversation with Castro afterward and the program features two other short films: ‘Oh Whale’, and ‘Rolling Film, Rocking History: Al Maysles Captures the Beatles’.

04/26/2026

We’re also a community partner at DocLands 2026 for photojournalist Erik Castro’s personal documentary ‘Creating a Photojournalist’: exploring Erik’s life over five decades, from a childhood shared with five siblings in 1970s Los Angeles, to his evolution into a seasoned visual storyteller documenting family life in Sonoma County. Screening at the Smith Rafael Film Center in downtown San Rafael on Saturday May 2, at 4:00pm.

From home movies to the front lines of modern media journalism, a lens has long framed Erik Castro’s life. In this deeply personal documentary, we embark on a personal journey exploring Erik’s life over five decades, from a childhood shared with five siblings in 1970s Los Angeles, lovingly captu...

04/26/2026

We’re a community partner with DocLands 2026 for director Rachael J. Morrison’s feature documentary 'Joybubbles': about a genius named Joybubbles (née Joe Engressia, 1949-2007) who discovered how to hack into the telephone network by whistling a magic tone. Screening at the Smith Rafael Film Center in downtown San Rafael on Friday May 1, at 7:30pm.

Born blind and yearning for connection while growing up with abusive parents and later, while living in a dormitory at school, Joe Engressia discovers he has a quirky knack for hacking telephones. By whistling perfect tones, he begins to dial the world in to envelop him. He believes 'if you love som...

04/26/2026

We’re excited to partner with DocLands 2026, presented by CAFILM. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover, connect, and celebrate the power of documentary cinema.

Check out the program & get tickets! bit.ly/3Og89CF
APR 30- MAY 3 | Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael

04/10/2026

There are some interesting new releases this month, featuring the Peoples Temple, Occupation of Alcatraz, Black Panthers, and filming a Disney movie in San Francisco ('Superdad', with Bob Crane). Link to watch in Comments.