Barbara Malaran
Barbara Malaran (they/them) is an inspiring interdisciplinary artist whose creative journey is all about celebrating autobiographical stories of community through captivating video and audio narratives. Barbara adopts an adventurous approach to travel, exploring the connections that shape our understanding of home, identity, and the passage of time, while also navigating the beautiful complexities of memory.
As a key member of Kilawin Kolektibo, a vibrant Pinay lesbian collective, active in the 90s, Barbara spent crucial years in NYC honing their filmmaking skills by capturing the heartbeat of the collective's actions—from marches and protests to joyous celebrations. Their passion led them to co-found and serve as an associate producer for Lesbian Central, the groundbreaking world's first Lesbian TV talk show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, a Public Access Television project sponsored by GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. This platform focused on empowering queer-identified women artists to tell their own stories and connect with the community. Barbara achieved further successes, which motivated her to pursue a dual degree in Bachelors in Communications and Masters in Media Studies at The New School. She immersed herself in critical theory and audio/video production, benefiting from mentorships with esteemed artists such as Pia Masse, Cecilia Dougherty, and Barbara Hammer.
Today, they are the proud recipients of several esteemed grants, including the NYSCA grant, the Barbara Hammer Experimental Filmmaker Grant, and a Prism Foundation Grant, all of which aim to support their documentary "Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo," created in collaboration with Desireena Almoradie. Barbara's compelling films have graced numerous festivals and exhibitions, with previous accolades including the Open Initiative Artist Fellowship at The Kitchen in NY, the American Museum of Natural History, the Bronx River Arts Center, Longwood Arts, The Queens Museum, the Leslie-Lohman Gallery, and more recently, collaborative personal projects endured through the pandemic.
Currently residing on the traditional unceded homelands of the of the Atfalati-Kalapuya, also known as the Tualatin Band of Kalapuyans, whose ancestors have lived here from time immemorial, preserving the land and waters that we have benefitted from, with most profound respect and gratitude for all indigenous friends and neighbors living today, around Portland, OR, they continue to highlight their dedication to innovative storytelling and community engagement.
