PJ Raval

PJ Raval is a queer first-generation Filipino-American filmmaker known for his documentary films about underrepresented subcultures and identities within the LGBTQ+ community. Raval was named one of Filmmakers 25 New Faces of Independent Film in 2006 and was a featured creator in the 2010 Out 100. Today, he lives in Texas and is an associate professor of the Department of Radio-Television-Film at the Moody College of Communication in the University of Texas at Austin. Raval lived in San Diego for 10 years, then obtained an MFA in Film and Media Production at the University of Texas at Austin.

Raval's 2013 documentary Before You Know It focuses on the different narratives of three gay seniors. He was inspired to create the work after meeting a group of gay retirees at a screening of TRINIDAD at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center.

Raval is the director of CALL HER GANDA, a 2018 feature documentary about Jennifer Laude, a Filipina transgender woman from the city of Olongapo murdered by a 19-year-old US marine. The film addresses the topic of transphobia and how transgender individuals are being targeted and eliminated by the Catholic Church and organized religion. In addition to Laude's murder case, the film confronts issues with imperialism, poverty, and the tense relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

Raval centers community voices, including those of activist attorney Virgie Suarez, transgender journalist Meredith Talusan, and Julita Jaude, Jennifer Laude's mother. The film has received dozens of awards and nominations, including winning documentary categories at the 2019 Boston LGBT Film Festival, the 2019 Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival, the 2018 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, 2018 L.A. Outfest, the 2018 New Delhi Film Festival, and the 2020 NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists Excellence in Documentary Awards. The production was supported by the Ford Foundation, Arcus, Bertha Foundation, Sundance Film Institute, Fork Films, and the Tribeca Film Institute.

Raval's short films have won many awards, including “Best Narrative Short” at the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Int’l Film Festival, “Best Screenplay” at the Cinematexas Int’l Film Festival, the “Betty Nowlin Award for Excellence in Filmmaking”, and the “Director’s Visionary Award” at the Santa Cruz Film Festival.

Filmography

Features Year Title Contribution Notes 2002 The Politics of Fur Associate Producer 2003 Girl Wrestler Additional Camera Operator 2005 Room Cinematographer Won – Woodstock Film Festival Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography 2005 Troop 1500 Cinematographer 2006 The Cassidy Kids Cinematographer 2006 Slam Planet Additional Camera Operator 2006 When the Road Bends: Tales of a Gypsy Caravan Additional Camerawork 2006 Gretchen Cinematographer 2007 The Devil Came on Horseback Additional Cinematographer 2008 Trouble the Water Cinematographer 2008 Critical condition Additional Camera 2008 Dirt Cinematographer 2008 Trinidad Director/Producer/Cinematographer Won – Cleveland International Film Festival Award for Best DocumentaryNominated – Los Angeles Film Festival Award for Best Documentary 2009 The 2 Bobs Cinematographer 2009 Along Came Kinky ... Texas Jewboy for Governor Camera Operator 2009 Winnebago Man Additional Photography 2009 Sunshine Additional Cinematography 2011 Slacker Director (segment: "Rantings")Nominated – Sundance Film Festival, Grand Jury Prize

Television work Year Title Contribution Notes 2004-2010 Independent Lens Camera Operator/Sound Season 6, Episode 6: "Girl Wrestler"Season 7, Episode 17: "Troop 1500"Season 11, Episode 24: "Sunshine"Season 11, Episode 25: "The Horse Boy" 2008 POV Camera Operator Season 21, Episode 9: "Critical Condition"