Noel Shaw Papers

APA Staff
Date Range: 1992 – 2003
Survey Conducted: Thu, 2010-11-11
Creator: Shaw, Noel

History: Born in 1961 in New York City, Noel Shaw is a filmmaker and writer whose work explores the experiences of the Filipino diaspora and highlights the diversity within it. Most recently, he directed, produced, and wrote the short Kundiman (Pinoy Noir Films, 2008), which illustrates the impact of politics on an individual’s life. His work has been screened at the London Film Festival, Brussels International Independent Film Festival, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and the Asian American International Film Festival in New York City. He served as the Distribution & Marketing Director at Third World Newsreel from 1999 to 2001 and as the Publications Director at the Asian American Writers’ Workshop from 2001 to 2004.

Shaw attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied film and writing, and was actively involved in Filipino American student groups. After returning to New York, Shaw, who was working as a journalist and writer, became involved in Boses Filipino, an annual cultural event organized to provide a space for Filipino/American artists to share their work. In 1993, Arkipelago was founded out of Boses Filipino to promote critical dialogue and community engagement with issues of concern to the Philippines and Filipino Diaspora. Shaw took on an instrumental role in Arkipelago’s development by assisting in drafting its mission statement and conducting outreach to other New York-based Asian American groups. While he was living in the Philippines in the mid-1990s, Shaw took a hiatus from the organization. In 2003, he resumed involvement in Arkipelago, helping to organize its film festival “On the Silver Screen” which ran intermittently from 1999 to 2003. He has said that his involvement in Arkipelago defined the path his work would take in the explorations of culture and politics, and the connections between them.

Sources: Feng, Peter X. Screening Asian Americans. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2002.

Shaw, Noel. Conversation with Daniel Kim and Amita Manghnani. Queens, New York. November 11, 2010.

Summary: The Noel Shaw Papers document the programming efforts and operational history of Arkipelago from 1992-2003. Measuring 0.25 linear feet the papers contain flyers, programs, press releases, fundraising letters, mailing lists, meeting agendas, calendars, correspondence, and bios of artists involved with Arkipelago’s programming.

Of note are materials related to “On the Silver Screen,” which include the proposal for the festival, calls for submissions, descriptions of the films screened, invitations, budgets, bios of filmmakers, flyers, press releases, and correspondence dating from 1997-2003.

A small percentage of the collection also documents other institutions including Boses Filipino, Third World Newsreel, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, A. Magazine, and the Asian Pacific American Journal.

Total Size: 0.25 linear feet
APA-related Size: 0.25 linear feet
Languages of materials: English
Arrangement: other
Location: Private residence
Bibliographic Control: inventory
Conditions Governing Access: Researchers wishing to view the materials should contact apa.archives@nyu.edu.

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