Note: The 24th SEAPAVAA Conference, 8 – 12 June 2020, Da Nang, Vietnam is cancelled as per the announcement released by the SEAPAVAA Executive Council and the Vietnam Film Institute on 10 March 2020.

24^th SEAPAVAA CONFERENCE
8 – 12 June 2020
Grand Mercure
Da Nang, Vietnam
“AV Archiving in Changing Times: Successes, Failures, and Challenges”

Change, in every aspect of our profession, calls us to fundamentally reflect on our principles and practices. In its various forms, change is both a risk threatening stability and an opportunity that opens up possibilities. From external factors to internal movements, change inevitably shapes archives and archivists and leads to successes, failures, and challenges. Understanding change necessitates then that we account for the old & the new, continuities & discontinuities, and losses & gains.

Given the environmental reality of climate crisis leading to unstable ecosystems, rising sea levels, and increasing natural disasters, how can archives not only adapt to these changes but be part of the solution as well? How do we situate the archives as national and transnational repositories in the face of political instabilities and international conflicts? How do we respond as archivists, to changes in the ways people seek and receive information in the age of digital economy? How do we engage with discussions on truth and authenticity, amidst partisan debates and weakening notions of trust?

Dr. Ray Edmondson pioneer and international  leader  in the audiovisual archiving field, reminds us  in his book  Audiovisual Archiving: Philosophy and Principle (3^rd edition, 2016, published under UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme)  that the history of our field teaches us that that we can always expect that something else will come after. That the onset of change, with its opportunities as well as problems, challenges us to examine our fundamentals. To address the environmental, political, societal, technological and philosophical challenges in our midst, this year’s symposium seeks to hear about the histories of archives and archivists specifically at various pivotal points of change. From successful technological solutions to failed political advocacies, we would like to learn equally from each other’s triumphs and shortcomings. We would like to provide a space for us to reflect on our losses and advances. What worked and what did not work? How was change weathered or embraced?  What problems remain unsolved?  How do we integrate the old and the new? What comes after next and where do we go from here?

The 24^th SEAPAVAA Conference provides a safe space for reflective exchange of trophies and scars as to guide us in addressing issues in our changing times. Topics of  interest include but are not limited to the following:

• Case studies of change management (administrative, leadership, political, technological)
• Reflections on archival difficulties and failures
• Organizational and political conflicts in archives
• Success, failures, and limits of technological solutions
• Changes and developments in archival training and education
• Generational tensions and cooperation between archivists
• Environmental impact and adaptation of archives
• Archives in states of precarity

SUBMISSION:

1. Submit proposal in English via e-mail as an MS Word file to Ms. Michaela Navato[secretariat@seapavaa.net] by 3 February 2020.
2. The proposal should include:
   • Title of proposal
   • Abstract, maximum of 250 words
   • Name and Institution (where applicable) of proponent(s)
3. The SEAPAVAA Executive Council will review all submitted proposals and will send notifications to accepted proponents by 21 February 2020.
4. Accepted proponents must confirm their ability to attend the conference and present by 6 March 2020.
5. The travel expenses, accommodation, and subsistence of attending the 24^th SEAPAVAA Conference are the full responsibility of the Presenter(s) of accepted proposals. All attendees, including Presenter(s), are required to register and pay the full conference registration fee.

You may contact Ms. Navato  [secretariat@seapavaa.net] for any queries.

The  24^th SEAPAVAA Conference is hosted by the Vietnam Film Institute. The event promises the definitive warmth and hospitality that SEAPAVAA is  known for.

For more information regarding the registration details, programme, workshops, and hotel accommodations, visit http://seapavaaconference.com.

Download (PDF, 1.86MB)

This is an opportunity shared by the UNESCO Memory of the World Asia Pacific (MOWCAP). 

The Prince Claus Fund, through its Cultural Emergency Response programme and the Whiting Foundation has announced its third round of the Open Call for First Aid to Documentary Heritage under Threat. If your organization has projects that aim to safeguard documentary heritage that is threatened by recent conflict or disaster, you can submit applications for funding.

Proposals are invited for relevant projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. MOWCAP also confirmed that proposals are invited from Pacific countries.

Information you need to apply for funding is available on the Prince Claus Fund website.

The 24th SouthEast Asia-Pacific AudioVisual Archive Association (SEAPAVAA) conference is hosted by the Vietnam Film Institute on 8 to 12 June 2020 at Da Nang, Vietnam.

Watch out for more details soon!

The South East Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Archive Association (SEAPAVAA), founded in 1996, is a professional association of organizations and individuals involved or interested in the development of audiovisual archiving in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It aims to promote archiving of the region’s rich audiovisual heritage. We assist our members in strengthening their capabilities in  this specialized field through  training and networking.. As of 2019, SEAPAVAA has 80 member archives, institutions, and professionals from 29 different countries around the world.

JOB OPENING FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR SEAPAVAA

The Administrative Assistant (AA) provides organizational support to the  SEAPAVAA Administrative Coordinator (AO) in running the operations of SEAPAVAA. The support includes office administration, project management, membership development, communications and publications, archives and records management, and executive assistance. The AO who reports to the SEAPAVAA Secretary-General, will supervise the AA.  The   AA will be based in Manila, Philippines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Office Administration
Day-to-day secretarial functions including the handling of communications, records keeping, and managing office logistics such as equipment and supplies.

Project Management
Secretariat support for SEAPAVAA events and projects, including the association’s annual conference and  Executive Council meetings.

Membership Development
Management of   SEAPAVAA’s membership, which entails maintaining and updating membership records, and processing new membership applications.

Communications and Publications
Drafting and execution of official communications such as letters, memos, proposals, and presentations. Project management for SEAPAVAA-related publications.

Archives and Records Management
Organisation and maintenance of an orderly SEAPAVAA archives and records management programme.

Executive Assistance
Assistance on matters related to the strategic development of the association, as directed by the SEAPAVAA Executive Council.

PRE-REQUISITES

Willing and able to work for SEAPAVAA for a minimum of three consecutive years from the date of appointment as the association’s Administrative Assistant.

Work Ethics
Must be teachable, adaptable,  disciplined, self-motivated and proactive.

Must be able to work with professionals from different countries and cultures.

Skills
Strong organizational skills and an eye for details are required.

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is a must. Proficiency in the other languages used in the Southeast Asia-Pacific region is a plus.

Strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office programmes, is a must.

Desktop publishing, digital design, website management and records management skills are advantageous.

Educational Qualifications and Experiences

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the following fields:
  • International Relations
  • Public Relations
  • Library and Information Studies
  • Development Studies
  • Communication Arts

• Applicants with experience in not-for-profit cultural institutions, international relations, office administration, records management, are preferred.
• Fresh graduates with the skills we are looking for and have some related experience may apply.
• Knowledge and/or interest in audiovisual heritage and preservation is desirable. Experience in the audiovisual archiving field is a plus.
• Willing to be based in Manila, Philippines.
• Must be able to travel when required by the association in relation to SEAPAVAA-related works.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The   Administrative Assistant is a full-time position, renewable on a yearly basis, with an initial six-month probationary term.

The initial base pay for the probationary term is commensurate with experience and qualifications. A benefit package including Social Security and  Health will be made available after the probationary period.

Salary increase after the appointment is placed on permanent establishment, is dependent on performance as assessed by the SEAPAVAA Executive Council.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants should email their letter of intent and resume/CV to b.olgado@slis.upd.edu.ph AND  secretariat@seapavaa.net no later than October 29, 2019, Tuesday.

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

The letter must be addressed to: Irene Lim, President of SEAPAVAA. Kindly use the following format as the subject heading of your email: Administrative Assistant Application [your last name].

Only short-listed candidates will  be  contacted  by November 6, 2019, Wednesday for a series of interviews. References should be made available upon request.

Download (PDF, 1.88MB)

The ceremony for the 2019 SEAPAVAA Awards – comprising the Fellowship Award which started in 1997 and a new Best Archival Project in the Region Award – took place on 27^th  June 2019 in Noumea, New Caledonia, during the official opening of the 23^rd SEAPAVAA Conference.

The Fellowship Award recognizes individuals for their lifetime achievement to the development of audiovisual archiving in South East Asia-Pacific while the Best Archival Project in the Region Award acknowledges innovative, influential, effective, and inspiring archival projects in the same region.

Fellowship Award

This year, SEAPAVAA honored Jamie Lean (New Zealand) and Adrian Wood (Japan)  for their  exceptional contributions to  the audiovisual archiving field in the region.   Both recipients were not able to be present on the day of conferment, and their respective representatives Mick Newnham and Joshua Harris, received a plaque each on their behalf from SEAPAVAA’s Founding President Dr. Ray Edmondson.

Jamie and Adrian join the SEAPAVAA Fellows Circle composed of the late Misbach Yusabiran (1997), Jim Lindner (2010), Hisashi Okajima (2010), Dr. Ray Edmondson (2010), Belina Capul (2014), Mary Del Pilar (2017), Ricky Orellana (2017), Tuenjai Sinthuvnik (2017), Bounchao Phichit (2018), Dome Sukvong (2018), and Mick Newnham (2018).

Read the conferment speeches of the newly conferred fellows in the following links:

Jamie Lean’s conferment speech

Adrian Wood’s conferment speech

Best Archival Project in the Region Award

This year, SEAPAVAA was proud to present the inaugural Best Archival Project in the Region Award  to the  Save Myanmar Film (SMF) for their grassroots initiative to restore Myanmar’s film heritage. The  SMF was not able to attend the ceremony and their  appointed representative  Sanchai Chotirosseranee, received the award on their behalf.

SEAPAVAA would like to express its appreciation to AV Preservation by reto.ch for sponsoring this inaugural award.

Read the acceptance speech of Save Myanmar Film here.

Certificates of commendation  were also awarded to these projects:

• Colourisation of archival footage for the documentary series Australia in Colour, submitted by Stranger than Fiction Films with the National Film and Sound Archives Australia;
• Modern Display: The Archive Preservation Project of Monthly Calendars’ artists in China;
• Media Archive Management System-based on AI.

Both projects were submitted  by  the Shanghai Media Group.  

Congratulations to all!

UNESCO marks October 27 as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, a key initiative for both UNESCO and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA). Every year, audiovisual archives around the world join together with activities and events that acknowledge the vulnerability of audiovisual heritage but also celebrate the preservation professionals and institutions that protect this heritage for future generations.

The theme for 2019 is: “Engage the Past Through Sound and Images”

The CCAAA Board releases its official statement about this year’s theme:

Our collective histories are often captured on film, video, audio or digital formats, and through these, we engage to learn about the past and to share our own histories with future generations. Increasingly recordings serve as our memories and tell the stories that constitute our cultural heritage. In recognition of the preservation efforts of the thousands of archivists, librarians and caretakers around the world who care for these valuable collections, this year’s World Day for Audiovisual Heritage again celebrates their dedication and expertise. Without the knowledge and devotion that is required to preserve, digitize and provide access, large portions of our cultural heritage would disappear to be lost forever.

Yet many conditions (technical, political, social, financial and more) threaten the survival of these audiovisual materials. We see these losses on a daily basis due to human error, as in the case of the most recently revealed decade-old Universal fire which resulted in the loss of thousands of musical masters, a massive portion of American music history. All too often catastrophes occur, as well, through the rapidly growing number of natural disasters, through lack of proper care (due to benign neglect or lack of knowledge and resources), and, of course, through political turmoil and war. Whatever the circumstances that threaten our cultural heritage, these events remind us that in order to protect and to preserve this material for future generations, skills, knowledge and resources are required. Our moving image and sound recordings hold our memories, ideas, and histories.

While many institutions dedicate substantial resources to providing proper archival storage and to continuously reformatting to the latest and greatest digital formats, some situations are less fortunate; nevertheless, the end goal for all of us is to be able to provide these materials to the audiences who will learn from them, engage with them, appreciate them and embrace them. Whether we are able to broadcast these stories through television, radio, the internet or on the big screen in our cinemas, our global efforts to share these sounds and images is paramount.

On 27 October, please join us in celebrating our audio-visual heritage, and assist us to acknowledge the work done every day to preserve our stories so that they will endure for future generations. Also, we encourage you to share these films, audio recordings, television histories and other audiovisual objects with the world to engage our audiences and allow them to remember and discover our past, including its secrets.

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SEAPAVAA joins the global celebrations of the World Day and highly encourages its members to share how they are celebrating #AudiovisualHeritageDay. You may fill in the form at the CCAAA page and provide information about your particular events by sending a descriptive text (500-word max), and one (1) image per event. We encourage our members to share the information sooner before October 27 so that the world knows how you are celebrating the #AudiovisualHeritageDay!

Happy 2019 World Heritage Day!

The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) has published an article titled “Memory, History, and Archives: SEAPAVAA Conference 2019, Noumea”  in their Newsletter Issue 89, August 2019. The article was written by their staff Kwok Ching-ling who attended the 23^rd SEAPAVAA Conference in Noumea, New Caledonia, 25-30 June 2019. She reflected on the conference theme and shared her key takeaways from the event.

Memory, History, and Archives: SEAPAVAA Conference 2019, Nouméa

Kwok Ching-Ling

FRAME is a training course on audiovisual archiving organized by Institut national de l’audiovisuel (INA), co-funded by EU Creative Europe and in partnership with the International Federation of Television Archives (FIAT/IFTA) and EBU Academy. The host of this year’s FRAME 2^nd session (FRAME Access) is the Romanian public broadcaster TVR from November 18 to 22, 2019.

The application procedure to FRAME Access training is now open, and the details of the session are updated and online on our website: https://www.ina-expert.com/news/frame-access-2019

For more information on the training, kindly contact the FRAME Team (frame@ina.fr) or Clément Malherbe at cmalherbe@ina.fr