Director

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT– feature documentary, 110min, 2014.
Director/Producer: PJ Raval, Producer: Sara Giustini.
ITVS co-production

US Distributors: Film Collaborative (theatrical), Gathr (theatrical), PBS (TV), New Day (educational), Passion River (home video), Sundance Artist Services (digital)
International Distributors: Pretty Pictures [FR] all media
International Sales: Wide House
Theatrical release May 30th 2015
PBS US broadcast June 30th 2015

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT captures the lives of three gay seniors as they navigate the challenges life and love in their “golden years.”

“…leaves you wowed” – The American Prospect
“A crucial addition to the LGBT doc canon” – IndieWIRE
“…exemplary…a documentary that successfully puts human faces on wider issues” – Slant Magazine 
“Engrossing…Provides sufficient contrasts, surprises, epiphanies and warm moments to keep it rolling engagingly along…Resists foundering in pathos or kitsch; its subjects are too complex and resistant, having survived decades of change, to be reduced to victims or examples.” -Variety
“BEFORE YOU KNOW IT  is a chronicle of the challenges facing an aging portion of the population, but it doubles as something more universal: a means of cutting through isolation and societal expectation, and finding a stronger self on the other side.” – Village Voice 

Theatrically released in: New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Palm Springs, Austin, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Miami, Atlanta, Houston, Tacoma, Dallas, San Diego, Phoenix, Lake Worth, Burlington, Iowa City, Mobile, Long Beach, Toronto, Canada, Manchester U.K.

SXSW 2013 – World Premiere
Berlinale 2014 IFP Selects / Sundance Institute American Independents in Berlin
WINNER Best Documentary Jury Award Reeling Chicago GLBT Film Festival
WINNER Best Documentary Image + Nation Montreal Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
WINNER Best Documentary Dallas Asian Film Festival
WINNER Scott Dinger Audience Award Polari Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
WINNER Best Documentary Dallas Asian Film Festival
BEST FEATURE FILM Austin Film Critics Award nomination
Edinburgh International Film Festival – International Premiere
Denver Film Society’s Cinema Q Opening Night Film
Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Documentary Centerpiece Film
Portland Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Centerpiece Film

Selected Screenings:

  • Independent Film Festival Boston 2013
  • San Francisco International Film Festival – Golden Gate Award nominee
  • Maryland International Film Festival
  • InsideOut Toronto LGBT Film Festival
  • Outfest Los Angles LGBT Film Festival
  • Lincoln Center NYC “Art of the Reel”
  • Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival
  • DocUtah
  • Saratov Sufferings Documentary Film Festival, Russia
  • Out on Film Atlanta LGBT Film Festival
  • Out at the Movies Winston-Salem LGBT Screening Series
  • Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival
  • Sioux Falls, AIDs Walk Fundraiser
  • Olympia Film Society, Washingon
  • Arclight Cinemas Los Angeles
  • Gender Bender Arts Festival, Bologna, Italy
  • American Film Festival, Kracow, Poland
  • South Taiwan Film Festival
  • Cleveland International Film Festival
  • Florida Film Festival

Grants, & Support:

  • Arcus Foundation Sundance Distribution Grant 2014
  • IFP Selects / Sundance Institute American Independents in Berlin 2014
  • Austin Film Society Travel Grant 2013
  • IFP Independent Film Week Spotlight on Documentary 2012
  • Sundance Institute Creative Producing Summit 2012
  • Sundance Institute Documentary Creative Producing Lab 2012
  • Sundance Institute Documentary Grant 2012
  • Film Independent Fast Track 2012
  • MacArthur Foundation Reel Aging Conference 2012
  • Film Independent Documentary Lab 2011
  • Tribeca All Access On Track Grant 2011
  • ITVS Open Call funding 2011
  • Tribeca All Access 2010
  • Austin City Cultural Contracts Grant Recipient 2009, 2010
  • Texas Filmmaker Production Fund Recipient 2009 & 2010
  • LEF Foundation Moving Image Fund 2009 & 2010
  • Cinereach Media Grant Recipient 2009 & 2012
  • ITVS Diversity and Development Fund Recipient 2010

           

TRINIDAD – feature documentary, 90min, 2008.
Distributors: The Cinema Guild & New Day Films (educational), Film Buff (digital)
International Distributors: New World Distribution (all media world), Canadian Filmmaker Distribution Centre [CA], Discovery Channel Latin America
Re-Broadcast: Showtime Network May 2015
Broadcast: Showtime Network May 2009, MTV LOGO April 2010, Netflix
 

TRINIDAD uncovers Trinidad, Colorado’s transformation from Wild West outpost to “sex change capital of the world”. This documentary follows three influential transgender women whose impact on Trinidad may steer the rural ranching town toward becoming the “transsexual mecca”.

“A must see” – Ellen Huang GLAAD

“Dynamic and heartfelt in their portraits, Raval and Hodges clearly took great care in choosing their subjects and utilize a sweet, yet haunting inquisitive tone that doesn’t let itself get bogged down by the issues and manages to let the characters paint the bigger picture of homophobia in the world around them…” – IndieWIRE

Winner Best Documentary – Cleveland International Film Festival 2009
World Premiere Los Angeles Film Festival 2008

Selected Screenings:

  • Cleveland International Film Festival 2014 (PJ RAVAL Someone To Watch Award)
  • Alamo Drafthouse Theatrical Screening Austin, TX 2009
  • 92Y Tribecca theatrical Screening, New York 2009
  • Outfest Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2008
  • Woodstock Film Festival 2008
  • Newfest NY LGBT Film Festival 2009
  • Denver Starz Film Festival 2008
  • Reeling Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2008
  • Independent Film Festival Boston 2009
  • Boston Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2009
  • Birmingham SHOUT 2009
  • Outfest Wednesdays Egyptian Theater Los Angeles, CA 2009

Grants & Support:

  • IFP Independent Film Week special presentation co-sponsored by Rooftop Films 2008
  • IFP Market, Docs in Progress category 2006
  • IFP Rough Cuts Lab 2006
  • Texas Filmmaker Production Fund Recipient 2004, 2006
  • Austin City Cultural Contracts Grant Recipient 2004, 2006
  • Hollyfield Grant Recipient 2005
  • Rooftop Filmmaker Fund Grant Recipient 2005

SLACKER 2011 “Rantings” segment– 90min, 2011
Production: Austin Film Society, Alamo Drafthouse
Distributor: Film Buff / Cinetic Rights Media

 “…PJ Raval’s penultimate scene “Rantings” …starred local performance art provocateur Paul Soileau on a slow-moving bike, and boy did he kill.”

– Kimberly Jones Austin Chronicle

Selected Screenings:

  • SXSW 2011 Special Showcase
  • Lonestar Film Festival 2012
  • Mar Del Plata Film Festival 2011
  • Loft Film Festival 2011
  • Dallas Video Festival 2011

SHORT DOCUMENTARY

Peter Morén– 10min HD video, 2008, Super!Alright! Productions and DELL Lounge

This short documentary is a portrait of Swedish Pop musician Peter Morén from the hit band Peter, Bjorn and John and follows his experience debuting his solo album at the SXSW music Festival.

QUEERBOMB– various running times, video, 2011 – present

Short documentary series highlighting the annual event QUEERBOMB that takes place in Austin, TX ever first Saturday of the month of June commemorating the historic Stonewall Riots.

SHORT NARRATIVE

lead role: Father – 15 min., super 16mm, narrative, 2004
Distributed by the canadian filmmaker distribution centre

When film director and writer Joseph Chu puts out an open casting call for a new film based on his family, he never expects his own father to audition for the lead role of the father. Caught somewhere between his real memories of his father and the fictional character he’s created, Joseph is forced to confront his own fears, hypocrisies, and realizations.

Panavision / Kodak Student Outreach Program Award Winner
Selected Screenings & Awards:

  • WINNER Best Cinematography Cinematexas 9 International Short Film + Video Festival
  • Golden Reel Nomination, Programmer’s Pick- VC LA Asian Pacific Film Festival 2007
    • Krakow International Film Festival
    • Austin Film Festival
    • San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
    • Outfest – Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    • Slant 7, Aurora Picture Show
    • Barcelona Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
    • Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
    • Dallas Outakes – Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
    • Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival
    • Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    • Tucson Lesbian and Gay film Festival
    • Kingston Ontario Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    • Bloomington, Indian Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    • Kyoto Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
    • New Zealand Lesbian and Gay Film Festival: OutTakes
    • DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival
    • San Diego Asian Film Festival
    • Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    • Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
    • Kansai Queer Film Festival
    • Buenos Aires Gay, Lesbian, Trans International Film Festival

holding patterns – 9 min., 16mm / color, narrative, 2002
Distributed by Iron Rod Motion Pictures

Departures, arrivals, delays. In a world full of unrequited love, two strangers manage to make a connection.

Selected Screenings:

  • Chicago International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2003
  • Milan Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2003
  • Tokyo Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2003
  • Toronto Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2003
  • Frameline San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2003
  • Cinematexas International Short Film + Video Festival, 2003

 
100% cotton – 5 min. 16mm / color, narrative, 2000 Distributed by Iron Rod Motion Pictures

A male couple questions love and light bulbs over laundry.

Selected Screenings & Awards:

  • WINNER Best Narrative Short Reeling 2000 Chicago Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Honorable Mention Screenwriting Cinematexas 5 Int’l Film + Video Festival
  • Tokyo Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2003
  • Vancouver Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2003
  • image+nation – Montreal International Queer Film + Video Festival 2001
  • Outfest – Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2001
  • Frameline San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2001
  • Reel Pride – Fresno Gay and Lesbian film Festival, 2001
  • Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival 2000

THREE dollar CINEMA
Series of work in collaboration with performance artist Paul Soileau a.k.a “provocateur” CHRISTEENE 

“…desperately wish you could unsee” – HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

FUK– 2015
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

World Premiere Austin Music Video Festival 2015 

BIG SHOT –2013
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • World Premiere SXSW 2013 “Best Music Video” nomination
  • OUTFEST LGBT Film Festival 2013
  • POLARI Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2013
  • Boston Underground Film Festival 2013
  • Mix Mexico 2014
  • This Is What I Want Festival San Francisco 2014 

Reverie and Randee – Web comedy series 2012
Producer/Director: PJ Raval, Writer: Paul Soileau

  • WINNER POLARI Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2012 Most Bold

Ascensur – 2012
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012 

African Mayonnaise –2012
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • World Premiere SXSW 2012 “Best Music Video” nomination
  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012
  • Queer and bent Audio Visual Program 2014
  • Mix NYC, Burn Walkabout Showcase curated by Peter Burn 2014
  • This Is What I Want Festival San Francisco 2015

Worlin’ on Grandma –2011
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012

Bustin’ Brown –2010
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • World Premiere SXSW 2010
  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012 

slowly/easy –2010
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012
  • ID Film Festival 2010 

Tears From My Pussy –2010
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012
  • Official Selection Newfest 2011
  • ROOFTOP Films 2011
  • ID Film Festival 2010
  • Homo-a-gogo 2010
  • Homoscope 2010 

Fix My Dick –2010

Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Written and performed by Paul Soileau
Distributed by The Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre

  • SXSW 2010 World Premiere
  • Denver Film Society Cinema Q Film Festival 2012
  • CFMDC Showcase: CHRISTEENE VIDEO COLLECTION Toronto, Canada 2012
  • ROOFTOP Films 2011
  • Official Selection Newfest 2010
  • Homo-a-gogo 2010

Lesbian Sasquatch – 2010
Prod/Dir: PJ Raval
Writer: Paul Soileau

  • Homoscope 2010

MUSIC VIDEOS

Little Stolen Moments presents “You’re A Target” –2011
artist: No Age
From the E.P. Loosing Feeling

Little Stolen Moments presents All the King’s Men –2009
artist: Wild Beasts
From the Album Two Dancers

Awfully Confusing –2009
artist: Mistress Stephanie and her Melodic Cat
From the Album Take That!

  • Homo-a-gogo 2010 

Grey –2009
artist: Mistress Stephanie and her Melodic Cat
From the Album Take That!  

How Heavy This Axe – 4 min. super-16mm / color summer 2009, Super!Alright! Productions
Co-director: Romy Itzigsohn
artist: The Sword
From the Album Gods of the Earth

 you got the gin – 4 min. super-16mm / color spring 2005
artist: Adam Sultan
From the Album heinous acts of love

 

DIGITAL ANIMATIONS 

net06 – 5min. film animation / experimental, 2002
Distributor canadian filmmaker distribution centre

A non-camera made analog digital collision.

Selected Screenings & Awards:

  • Winner Betty Nowlin Award for Excellence in Filmmaking Cinematexas 2002
  • Honorable Mention Black Maria Film Festival 2003
  • Best of Tiny Park Gallery, Tiny Park Gallery, Austin, TX, Fall 2012
  • Works of PJ Raval & Nick Brown, Tiny Park Gallery, Austin, TX, Spring 2012
  • 10 under 10” Austin film Society Texas Documentary tour 2004
  • DC Underground Film festival 2003

A boy’s mouth – 5min. dv / text narrative, 2002 Distributor: canadian filmmaker distribution centre

The power of one boy’s speech.

Selected Screenings & Awards:

  • Winner Director’s Award for “Most Visually Inspired” Santa Cruz Film Festival 2003
  • Best of Tiny Park Gallery, Tiny Park Gallery, Austin, TX, Fall 2012
  • Works of PJ Raval & Nick Brown, Tiny Park Gallery, Austin, TX, Spring 2012
  • Intersection for the Arts – History, Memory, & Matter- Perception Changes Everything 2006
  • Cinematexas International Film festival, 2004
  • VC Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival 2003

clean – 4min. dv, digital live action animation / narrative, 2002 Distributor: canadian filmmaker distribution centre

A brief look at one man’s obsession with cleanliness 

Selected Screenings:

  • Best of Tiny Park Gallery, Tiny Park Gallery, Austin, TX, Fall 2012
  • Works of PJ Raval & Nick Brown, Tiny Park Gallery, Austin, TX, Spring 2012
  • 1st Annual San Francisco Artists’ Television Access (ATA) Film & Video Festival 2006
  • Rooftops Summer Film Series, NY 2005
  • Cinematexas International Film Festival, 2004
  • Slant, Aurora Picture Show 2003