Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)
museumUniversity-affiliated art museum and film archive presenting contemporary and historical exhibitions, film screenings, and public programs; home to over 25,000 artworks and 18,000 films and videos and housed in a repurposed Diller Scofidio + Renfro–designed building.
Upcoming Events (20)
Open: Art Lab
Open: Art Lab at BAMPFA is a drop-in, hands-on studio program inviting visitors of all ages to experiment with materials and creative processes in the museum setting.
The Arch
The Arch is a gallery exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) in Berkeley. Opening May 3, 2026, the show features architectural-inspired artworks and related film material, staged in BAMPFA’s iconic, hybrid museum spaces that blend art and cinema.
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Screening of Werner Herzog’s Aguirre, the Wrath of God at BAMPFA. A harrowing jungle epic following an expedition down the Amazon, featuring Klaus Kinski; a centerpiece in the museum's art-film program.
Memoria
Memoria, a cerebral, immersive feature by Apichatpong Weerasethakul starring Tilda Swinton, screens at BAMPFA in Berkeley. The film blends memory with surreal sound design in a sparing, dialogue-light narrative, inviting attentive viewing. A landmark art-house screening sure to spark discussion.
The Tin Drum
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) presents a feature-film screening of The Tin Drum, Volker Schlöndorff’s acclaimed 1979 adaptation of Günter Grass. The screening on May 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM offers a landmark of international cinema in BAMPFA’s intimate theater.
Gallery & Studio: Architectural Designs
Gallery+Studio: Architectural Designs at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive presents a curated glimpse of contemporary architectural concepts, models, and design processes inside a museum gallery. The exhibition blends studio work with gallery viewing, showcasing architecture as visual art on May 9, 2026 at 11:30.
Roundtable Reading: Lalani of the Distant Sea
Join a roundtable reading of Erin Entrada Kelly's Lalani of the Distant Sea at BAMPFA in Berkeley. The discussion event at the Berkeley museum invites readers to explore themes of identity and adventure in a lively, intimate venue.
Bouchra
A contemporary art exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) presenting works by the artist Bouchra. The show offers a focused survey of recent pieces in a renowned museum setting.
The Holy Mountain
BAMPFA presents a screening of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s surreal cult classic The Holy Mountain with an introduction on Mar 25, 2026 — an artsy, provocative cinematic experience.
Sunday, May 10 (without an introduction)
Screening of Alejandro Jodorowsky's cult-surreal film The Holy Mountain at BAMPFA on May 10 — an experimental, visually intense classic for adult and cinephile audiences.
Rethinking Abstraction: Chinese Calligraphy Workshop
Explore how traditional Chinese calligraphy informs abstract art in a hands-on workshop at BAMPFA. Participants practice brushwork, study historical and modern approaches to abstraction, and create works in a museum setting guided by a calligraphy educator.
Robert Wilson and the CIVIL warS
Screening of Robert Wilson's Civil Wars at BAMPFA, presenting a landmark piece of experimental cinema in an intimate museum setting. The program highlights Wilson's distinctive visual language and immersive, provocative storytelling.
In a Year of 13 Moons
Screening of In a Year of 13 Moons at BAMPFA, offering a thought-provoking film experience in a renowned art-museum setting. The program invites cinephiles to engage with cinema as visual culture within Berkeley's iconic venue.
Dorian Gray in the Mirror of the Yellow Press
A screening at BAMPFA exploring how the yellow press reframed Dorian Gray and its cultural impact. The program pairs archival imagery with expert commentary to spark discussion on literature, media sensationalism, and visual culture in a museum setting.
MFA Artists’ Talk
MFA artists discuss their practice in a moderated talk at BAMPFA, offering insights into contemporary art, methods, and MFA studio work. The evening features reflections from current or recent MFA artists in a museum setting.
Our Hitler
Provocative documentary screening at BAMPFA, examining the cult of Hitler and the rise of extremism. Housed in Berkeley's premier cinema, this program offers historical insight and invites thoughtful post-screening discussion. After the screening, a moderated discussion will explore historical context and contemporary relevance.
Film and Video Makers at Cal: Works from the Eisner Competition
Screening event at BAMPFA presenting student works from the Eisner Competition, curated by Film and Video Makers at Cal. The program showcases a range of film and video projects from UC Berkeley students, spanning documentary, narrative, and experimental forms in a museum setting.
Paris, Texas
Watch Wim Wenders's 1984 road drama Paris, Texas at BAMPFA. This screening at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive treats audiences to a haunting, contemplative film with stark desert photography and a spare, memorable score as it follows a man's search across the American Southwest.
Roundtable Reading: Lalani of the Distant Sea
Roundtable reading of Erin Entrada Kelly’s Lalani of the Distant Sea in the Bay Area on 2026-05-20 — a family-friendly author reading and discussion ideal for young readers and caregivers.
Black Life: Bloom as Miracle
Explore Black life through contemporary visual art in the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive's exhibition 'Black Life: Bloom as Miracle.' This thought-provoking show pairs works by contemporary artists with film/media installations, set in BAMPFA's gallery spaces, offering a thoughtful meditation on community, resilience, and beauty.