WILLIAM O’FARRELL FELLOWSHIP
at Northeast Historic Film in Maine
Northeast Historic Film (NHF) is pleased to invite applicants for the 2023 William O’Farrell Fellowship. The O’Farrell Fellowship is awarded to an individual engaged in research toward a publication, production, or presentation based on moving image history and culture, particularly amateur and nontheatrical film. It honors the continuing legacy of Canadian film archivist William O’Farrell, a long-time advocate for amateur and nontheatrical film collections. The O’Farrell Fellowship is sponsored by Jim Lindner, a friend of Bill O’Farrell as well as a long-time mentor, and supporter of the archives.

The fellowship supports a month’s study within Northeast Historic Film’s collections. Awardees must commit a minimum of two weeks to research in residency at NHF.

Eligibility
• Researchers from all academic disciplines are eligible and encouraged to apply.
• Applicants may be current graduate students, faculty, or staff at a college or university; archive professionals; film producers; or independent scholars.
• The fellowship is open to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals with appropriate visas.
• Proposed research must be for work intended for publication, production, or presentation, based on significant research in the collections of Northeast Historic Film.

Selection Criteria

The William O’Farrell Fellow selection committee reviews the following:
• The significance and interest value of the project
• The appropriateness of the proposed research to the collections of Northeast Historic Film
• The applicant’s experience

Available support
• The program provides a stipend of $1,500
• Staff support with access to NHF collection and related databases
• Use of film and videotape viewing facilities within NHF business hours
• Up to 8 hours of transfer and/or editing services, if applicable (fees waived)
• Copyright releases for educational and research purposes, if applicable (fees waived)
• Office space: a computer with network and internet connections, telephone, and photocopier.
• Housing is not provided, but NHF staff will assist the fellow in identifying lodging if needed. (Please note, seasonal rentals are plentiful on the Maine coast, but they can be expensive. Off- season rentals typically start at $400 – $600/week. Summer rates are higher. Short-term apartment rentals are difficult to find, but may be available for $600 – $1,200/month.)

How to Apply

The following materials comprise a complete application:

• Application form (available at www.oldfilm.org)
• Current curriculum vitae
Application materials should be emailed to Jennifer L. Jenkins, Chair, O’Farrell Fellowship Committee, jenkinsj@email.arizona.edu.

Other Requirements

The fellowship may be assumed any time beginning May 2, 2023 and must be completed by December 31, 2023. We strongly recommend being present at NHF during the Summer Symposium, July 27-29, 2023. The fellow is required to produce an 800 – 1,200-word journalistic article describing activities and findings for the NHF newsletter or blog.
The fellow is required to conduct a minimum of two weeks’ research on site at NHF and is expected to produce a virtual presentation for posting on the NHF/O’Farrell website.

About Northeast Historic Film

Northeast Historic Film, an independent nonprofit organization, was founded in 1986 to preserve and make available moving images of interest to the people of northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts). We hold ten million feet of film in 8mm, Super 8mm, 9.5mm, 16mm, 28mm, and 35mm and 8,000 analog and digital video recordings that do not duplicate the film holdings. NHF is located in a 1916 cinema building with purpose-built cold storage and a study center, where the organization hosts an annual Summer Symposium and runs a community cinema.
The William O’Farrell Fellowship was established in 2009 to honor an important individual who contributed in significant ways to the history of NHF. Bill O’Farrell (1954-2008) worked as Chief, Moving Image and Audio Conservation of the Archives of Canada. He was a valued Advisor to NHF, providing intellectual and practical support to the archives for many years.

Further information about Northeast Historic Film’s collections can be found at www.oldfilm.org.

William O’Farrell Fellowship Application (2023)

Name

Title or student status

Institution

Address

Email Phone

Name of NHF Collection(s) to be used in project:

Detailed description of the proposed research project, including anticipated outcomes: publication, production, or presentation (500 – 1000 words)

Submit application and supplemental materials by March 30, 2023 to:

Jennifer L. Jenkins, Chair, O’Farrell Fellowship Committee, jenkinsj@email.arizona.edu