Queer Archiving in Archipelagic Caribbean Cinema

My dissertation project, De sexilios y otras pajarerías: Queer Archiving in Caribbean Cinema, examines how audiovisual media and archival practices intersect to document and reimagine queer histories across the Caribbean and its diasporas. This project aims to define queer archiving as a critical methodology that challenges traditional archival limitations and offers new frameworks for representing ephemeral and silenced narratives. During my recent research trip to the Dominican Republic, supported by this funding, I accessed materials at the Dominican Cinematheque and conducted interviews and a workshop on queer archiving at the Spain Cultural Center in Santo Domingo. This workshop facilitated a dialogue between local filmmakers, activists, and archivists, leading to collaborative discussions on the urgent need to preserve queer cultural memory in the region. The most significant lesson learned was the necessity of community-based archival practices to ensure the sustainability and accessibility of queer histories in contexts where visibility remains precarious. For scholars undertaking similar research, I recommend establishing connections with local organizations and creators to promote ethical and participatory archival work. The findings from this project will not only inform my dissertation’s theoretical framework but will also contribute to ongoing advocacy for inclusive archiving practices in the Caribbean, enhancing the visibility of queer voices in regional and international scholarly and cultural discourses.