16mm Film Night: Norman McLaren

An evening of short films by the Canadian filmmaker who revolutionized the art of animation. 

FEATURING
“Hen Hop” (1943)
“Le Merle” (1958)
“Ballet Adagio” (1973)
“Lines Horizontal” (1960)
“Mosaic” (1965)
“Spheres” (1969)
“Pen Point Percussion” (1949–1951)
“Blinkity Blank” (1955)
“Neighbours” (1956)
“Begone Dull Care” (1949)
“Pas de deux” (1969)

Scottish-Canadian animator Norman McLaren created film unlike anyone had ever seen, reframing the language and techniques of abstract animation. His 60 films earned him over 200 international awards. Pablo Picasso called his Oscar-winning short “Neighbours,” “the greatest film ever made.” In addition to developing groundbreaking methods in animation drawn on film, visual music, pixilation, and more, he founded the first animation studio for Canada’s National Board of Film. 

Filmmaker Donald McWilliams, who worked with McLaren at the NFB and directed the documentary Creative Process: Norman McLaren, has curated a selection of McLaren’s films from the Library’s archives that were produced between the 1940s and ‘70s. Michael Fukushima, Executive Producer of the English Animation Studio at the National Film Board of Canada, will present the screening.

Co-presented by the Consulate General of Canada in New York.

FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED
For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form one hour before the program.

PRESS 
Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc.) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Sara Beth Joren at sarabethjoren@nypl.org. For all other inquiries, please contact publicprograms@nypl.org.

ASL interpretation and real-time (CART) captioning available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance by emailing accessibility@nypl.org.