PJ Raval is a renowned queer first-generation Filipinx American filmmaker who has garnered widespread recognition for his thought-provoking documentaries that amplify the voices of marginalized and queer subjects. His impressive feature credits include "Trinidad" (Showtime) and "Before You Know It" (PBS),a groundbreaking film about three gay seniors that was hailed by IndieWire as "a crucial new addition to the LGBT doc canon".
Raval's films often tackle pressing social justice issues, as exemplified by his critically acclaimed documentary "Call Her Ganda", which delves into the tragic murder of trans woman Jennifer Laude by a US marine in the Philippines. The film made its broadcast debut on POV (PBS) in 2019 and garnered widespread acclaim, including a nomination for the Philippines Academy Award for Best Documentary. Moreover, "Call Her Ganda" anchored an impactful community screening campaign, featuring over 150 screenings and a meeting with the US State Department.
Beyond his filmmaking endeavors, Raval is an accomplished cinematographer, having shot the Academy Award-nominated documentary "Trouble the Water". He is also a co-founder of the NEA-supported queer transmedia arts organization OUTsider, and serves on the steering committee of the Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc). Raval's impressive credentials include being a Soros Justice Fellow, a Guggenheim Fellow, and a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
