Phyllis R. Klotman, founder of the Black Film Center/ Archive and professor emerita in the department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, died on March 30th at her home in Manhattan.
“She was one of the first to preserve black independent films, and in doing that, she encouraged us,” Charles Burnett remarked in his interview with the New York Times following Klotman’s passing. The Times’ obituary recounts many of Klotman’s contributions to the study and preservation of black cinema during her tenure at Indiana University, including: the establishment of the BFC/A, the founding of the Black Camera newsletter (now Black Camera: An International Film Journal), and the publication of Frame by Frame: A Black Filmography (1979).
Professor Klotman also conducted interviews with filmmakers Larry Clark, Kathleen Collins, Julie Dash, Charles Burnett, Marlon Riggs, and Zeinabu irene Davis, just to name a few. Collecting interviews with filmmakers continues to be part of the Black Film Center/ Archive’s mission, and Klotman’s transcripts and audio recordings are available on site. In 2012, following celebrations of her legacy upon the 30th anniversary of the BFC/A’s founding, a classroom and screening venue at the new BFC/A facility was named “The Phyllis Klotman Room” in her honor.
The BFC/A holdings include several photographs that document Professor Klotman’s time at IU and at the BFC/A. Below is a photo gallery of some of our favorites of Klotman with colleagues, visiting filmmakers, and other notable public figures.
Photo Gallery
See also:
“Phyllis R. Klotman, Archivist of African-American Cinema, Dies at 90,” New York Times, Apr. 5, 2015
Leslie Houin, “The Black Film Center/Archive: Thirty Years of Archival and Educational Progress” Black Journal 3 no. 2 (Spring 2012): 220-236.
Dr. Klotman was my film professor for 2 semesters at Indiana University. Her tenacity and passion for archiving African American Film is the legacy she leaves us with. Her vast knowledge has become extremely valuable to the the film industry and we appreciate her years of nonstop research that has unveiled priceless treasures for future generations to enjoy. Thank you Dr. Klotman for your dedication to African American Film.
I had no idea that Dr. Klotman had transitioned. Had a couple of film classes
with her in undergraduate studies at flagship IUB! She was a very knowledgeable,
and engaging individual that loved film.
Always liked movies, but with because of her all future film was viewed and
dissected with more of a critical eye because of lessons learned.
She was perhaps my favorite educator at Indiana University.
RIP Dr.Klotman,
Sincerely,
IU Alumni – BA Telecom
She was one of the first to preserve black independent films, and in doing that, she encouraged us. A nice legacy. Respect