Sinking Creek Film Collection
Scope and Contents
The Sinking Creek Film collection (30.92 linear feet) comprises materials related to the Sinking Creek Film Celebration film festival (1969-1996). It is divided into two series: Administrative Papers and Film Collection.
The Administrative Papers series provides valuable insight into the administrative aspect of the festival. It includes correspondence sent and received by the SCFC and Mary Jane Coleman, administration files related to the SCFC Board of Directors, publicity materials, planning documents and programs and schedules materials related to SCFC Conferences, correspondence and notes related to the SCFC program of film lectures and educational programs. The series further contains fundraising files, materials related to the annual Film Flam dinner, applications, and financial records and reports associated with Sinking Creek’s grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission. The series is partially processed.
The Film Collection series consists of video reels and video tapes of the films submitted for competition at the SCFC film festival. Additionally, it includes personal videos of Mary Jane Coleman and documentaries about the SCFC film festival. Connected with the film collection are “Purchase and Donations” files in the Administrative Papers series, which consists of slips and correspondence related to the acquisition and receipt of film prints. These documents offer an account of the process through which the Sinking Creek Film Celebration Film Collection was built.
Dates
- Creation: 1972 - 1996
Conditions Governing Access
The physical materials from this collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Vanderbilt’s Special Collections and University Archives. Materials should be requested two to three days in advance to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.
Biographical / Historical
The Sinking Creek Film Celebration Festival was founded in 1969 by Mary Jane Coleman, an active member of numerous cultural associations and committees, with the aim of promoting interest in independent films. The first festival was held at Tusculum College in 1970 and attracted seventy-four films from twenty-one states. The festival quickly grew and in 1973 moved to Vanderbilt University. The festival’s expansion went beyond screenings of independent films from around the country and included workshops, conferences, and meetings with guest filmmakers. The event became a platform not only for showcasing films but also for fostering education and networking opportunities within the independent film community.
Full Extent
30.92 Linear Feet (26 Hollinger, 16 Paige boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Sinking Creek Film collection comprises materials related to the Sinking Creek Film Celebration film festival (1969-1996), founded by Mary Jane Coleman. The collection consists of two series. The Administrative Papers series includes letters, business papers, photographs, financial records, publicity materials, and merchandise related to the activities of the festival. Of special interest is the Film Collection series, which contains reels and video tapes that are submitted for competition at the Sinking Creek Film Celebration film festival.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Sinking Creek Film Collection
- Status
- Partially Processed
- Author
- Julia Khait
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives Repository
Special Collections Library
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.