Puppets on Film Festivals 2011-2014

From 2011-2014, the Foundation presented Puppets on Film, an annual festival with BAMcinematek at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Curated by Lindsey “Z.” Briggs and Cheryl Henson, this festival brought together a range of new and classic puppet films and documentaries as well as compilations of short puppet films including films produced by Hand Made Puppet Dreams.

2011

November 12-14 & 18-20
See puppets like you’ve never seen them before! Long before computer graphics existed, fantastic creature came to life as puppets made of foam, fabric, metal, and wood. This festival features seven brand new fascinating documentaries about puppetry as well as a roster of fantasy films, Muppet movies, shorts from the US and around the world, New York premieres, gremlins, teenage mutant ninja turtles, and one angry tire. Puppets on Film includes programs for both kids and adults. Curated by Cheryl Henson, Lindsey “Z.” Briggs, and BAMcinématek

Feature Films and Special Guests

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, directed by Gary Halvorson (1999, 35mm)
Special Appearance: Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, directed by Constance A. Marks (2011, HDcam)
Intro by Kevin Clash and Sesame Street cameraman James Miller

Puppet, directed by David Soll (2010, HDcam)
Intro by David Soll and puppeteer Chris Green
paired with short film: Honey Honey, directed by Anthony Seck

Legend of the Sacred Stone, directed by Chris Huang (2000, 35mm) US Premeire
Intro by Kuang-Yu Fong of Chinese Theatre Works
paired with short film: Douce Dame, directed by Bradley Kemp

The Muppet Movie, directed by James Frawley (1979, 35mm)
Intro by Cheryl Henson of The Jim Henson Foundation
paired with short film: Can’t Buy My Love, directed by Alissa Hunnicutt & Frankie Cordero

Dumbstruck, directed by Mark Goffman (2010, HDcam)
paired with short film: Last Rites, directed by Paul Andrejco

Rehearsal for a Sicilian Tragedy, directed by Roman Paska (2009, HDcam)
Intro by writer-director Roman Paska and writer-producer John Turturro
paired with short film: Innercity, directed by Dock Films

Rubber, directed by Quentin Dupieux (2010, 35mm)
paired with short film: Bohemian Rhapsody, directed by Muppets Studio, LLC

The Making of War Horse, directed by David Bickerstaff & Phil Grabsky (2009, HDcam)
Intro by Lincoln Center’s resident puppetry director Matt Acheson

Gremlins 2: The New Batch, directed by Joe Dante (1990, 35mm)
paired with short: Suck-a-Thumb, directed by Richard Mansfield

The Dark Crystal, directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz (1982, 35mm)
Intro by Cheryl Henson and Yamasong’s director Sam Hale; Special Guests Brian & Wendy Froud, conceptual designers of The Dark Crystal
paired with short: Yamasong, directed by Sam Hale

Puppet Rampage, directed by Lindsey “Z.” Briggs (2008, Blu-Ray)
Intro by Puppeteers of America President Anna Vargas, and director Lindsey “Z.” Briggs and cameraman and editor Chad Williams
paired with short: Omar’s Mother, directed by Paul Andrejco

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, directed by Steve Barron (1990, 35mm)
Intro by “Leondardo” puppeteer Martin P. Robinson
paired with short: Java, directed by Jim Henson

Team America: World Police, directed by Trey Parker (2004, 35mm)
paired with short: Harry the Hobo’s Stinky Puppet Theater, directed by Tim Lagasse

Being John Malkovich, directed by Spike Jonze (1999, 35mm)
paired with short: The Whole World and You, directed by Frankie Cordero

Arias with a Twist, directed by Bobby Sheehan (2010, HDcam)
Intro by stars Basil Twist and Joey Arias and director Bobby Sheehan
paired with short: Incubus, directed by Lyon Hill

Muppet Treasure Island, directed by Brian Henson (1996, 35mm)
Intro by Muppet stunt supervisor Fred Buchholz

Kooky, directed by Jan Svěrák (2010, DCP) US Premiere
Intro by Heather Henson of Handmade Puppet Dreams

Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze (2009, 35mm)
Intro by creative supervisor of Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, Peter Brooke

Live Action Puppet Shorts Program A

Moonfishing – David Michael Friend
Can’t Buy My Love – Alissa Hunnicutt & Frankie Cordero
Honey Honey – Anthony Seck
Omar’s Mother – Paul Andrejco
Denmark – Daniel Fickle
Rocket Monkey – Wakka Wakka Productions
Bohemian Rhapsody – Muppets Studio, LLC
Alien Cow Puppet Show – Ronald Binion
Suck-A-Thumb – Richard Mansfield
Yamasong – Sam Hale

Live Action Puppet Shorts Program B

Junk Palace – Lyon Hill
Last Rites – Paul Andrejco
Inner City – Dock Films
Douce Dame – Bradley Kemp
Too Loud a Solitude – Genevieve Anderson
The Whole World and You – Frankie Cordero
Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must be More to Life – Chris Lavis & Maciek Szcerbowski

Kid Films: Shortstack!

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly – Paul Andrejco
Mountain Goat – Jamie Shannon
Buildings & Vampires – Sebastian Baptista & Nico Casavecchia
The Sure Sheep – John Kennedy
Eat Your Vegetables – Jamie Shannon
Piano Mouths – Jeanne Stern
Glow Worm – Jim Henson
Amazing, Mysterious & Trust Story of Mary Anning & Her Monsters – Laura Heit
Graveyard Jamboree – Seamus Walsh & Mark Caballero
Java – Jim Henson
Mister Pink & Horsy – Leat Klingman
Mahna Mahna – Jim Henson
Magical Sniffy Thing – Jamie Shannon

Puppets from Around the World: International Shorts Program

Born Again – Ramdas Padhye
The Sultan’s Elephant – Royal de Luxe
The Puppeteer and the Inventor – Donal O’Mahoney & Mischa Langemeijer
The Story of Fenist – Yelena Demikovsky

2012

November 9-11
One of the most well attended BAMcinématek series of 2011, Puppets on Film returns by popular demand for another collection of films that showcase puppets as you’ve never seen them before. Come explore worlds of fantasy, myth, and magic with programs for puppet fans of all ages. This year’s program includes the New York premiere of a late-night Labyrinth sing-along hosted by Heather Henson and special workshops designed specifically for families. Curated by Cheryl Henson, Lindsey “Z.” Briggs, and BAMcinématek

Feature Films and Special Guests

Labyrinth, directed by Jim Henson (1986, 35mm)
Intro by Cheryl Henson of The Jim Henson Foundation

The NeverEnding Story, directed by Wolfgang Petersen (1983, 35mm)
Q&A with Alan Oppenheimer, voice of Falkor, Rockbiter and G’mork
paired with short: Colosse, directed by Yves Geleyn

Labyrinth Sing-Along, created by Heather Henson
An interactive Rocky Horror-esque romp through the puppet fantasy film we all know and love. Program PDF

Babe, directed by Chris Noonan (1995, 35mm)
Intro by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Creative Supervisor Peter Brooke
paired with short: All This Joy, Matt Singer directed by Jesse Garrison

Strings, directed by Anders Rønnow (2004, 35mm)
Intro by puppeteers Craig Marin and Olga Felgemacher
paired with short: Small Hands, Keaton Henson – directed by Joseph Mann

Her Master’s Voice, directed by Nina Conti (2012)
Q&A with Nina Conti
paired with short: Heartstopper – directed by David Lea

The Beaver, directed by Jodi Foster (2011, 35mm)
Video Hello from Jodi Foster
paired with short: Cicada Princess – directed by Mauricio Baiocchi

The Muppets Take Manhattan, directed by Frank Oz (1984, 35mm)
Introduced by Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Abby Cadabby on Sesame Street)
paired with short: Milano, Lolly Lardpop – directed by Bradley Kemp

Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg (1993, 35mm)
Introduced by puppeteer Matt Winston, founder of the Stan Winston School

Beauty is Embarrassing, directed by Neil Berkeley (2012, DCP)
Q&A with Wayne White
paired with short: Robot Adventures on Planet Earth – directed by Curtis L. Wiebe

Dante’s Inferno, directed by Sean Meredith (2007)
paired with short: The Happytime Murders trailer

Live Action Puppet Shorts

Cicada Princess – Mauricio Baiocchi
Heart Stopper – David Lea
Josephine and the Roach – Jonathan Langager
Ode to Joy – Kirk Thatcher
Pickett’s Charge – Michael Patrick O’Leary
Small Hands, Keaton Henson – Joseph Mann
The Narrative of Victor Karloch – Kevin McTurk
Twisted Trail – David Rasura
All This Joy – Jesse Garrison
Where is Who I Was and Am – Matthias Bundschuh

Kid Films: Shortstack!

Mother Hubbard Among Others – Paul Andjreco
Colosse – Yves Geleyn
Hot Dog TV – The Jim Henson Company
Change the World – Sesame Street
Robot Adventures on Planet Earth – Curtis L. Wiebe
Twinkle – Kori Pop
Cupcake – Spencer Lott
Spidermonster the Musical – Sesame Street
Dig – Philip Hodges
Knit Picky – Andrew Fields
Unstrung – Meerkat Media Collective
Elmo’s Got the Moves – Sesame Street
Carmen – Leat Klingman
Milano, Lolly Lardpop – Bradley Kemp
Mister Rogers: Am I am Mistake – Paul Lally
Batty Bat – Sesame Street
This Frog – Sesame Workshop

Special Family Workshops & Performances

Father Goose’s Tales – Nappy’s Puppets (performance)
Shadow Puppet Family Workshop – Nappy’s Puppets
The Sweatshirt Sheep puppet making Workshop – John Kennedy

2013

BAMcinématek and the Jim Henson Foundation present the third annual weekend of the best puppetry on film.

Little Shop of Horrors: Director’s Cut, directed by Frank Oz (1986, DCP)
paired with short: Klonox – directed by Thomas Guerigen

Little Shop of Horrors Sing-Along
Special Guest: Rick Moranis in person!
Dress up and enjoy the director’s cut of this musical with fellow fans and live actors. Program PDF

Tales of the Riverbank, directed by John Henderson (2008)
Intro by lead puppeteer Simon Buckley
paired with short: Grumpy King: Dancing Bear – directed for Cartoon Network by Jonny Sabbagh & Will Harper

Bouton, directed by Res Balzli (2011, NY Premiere)
paired with short: I Do – directed by Jesse Garrison & Melissa Creighton

Return to Oz, directed by Walter Murch (1985, 35mm)
Special Guest: Brian Henson, puppeteer Jack Pumpkinhead
paired with short: Sanko – directed by Graeme Maclean & Christopher Sturman

Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, directed by Brian Henson (2004)
Director Brian Henson in person!
Presented with support from pivot

Great Muppet Caper, directed by Jim Henson (1981, 35mm)
Special Guest: Puppeteer Peter Linz
paired with short Not Alone – directed by Trish Sie, and new trailer for The Muppets!

Men in Suits, directed by Frank H. Woodward (2012, HDcam, New York Premiere)
Q&A with Frank H. Woodward and performer Tom Woodruff Jr.
paired with Sneak Peek: I am Big Bird

Godzilla, directed by Ishirô Honda (1954, 35mm)
Intro by Columbia University professor Gregory Pflugfelder
paired with short Deluxe – Daniel (feat Youthstar) – directed by Alexandre Vignaud

Aliens, directed by James Cameron (1986, DCP)
Intro by creature effects coordinator Tom Woodruff, Jr.
paired with short Imagine Dragons, Radioactive – directed by Syndrome

Live Action Puppet Shorts

I Do – Jesse Garrison
Puppet Earth, Episode 1, First Hunt – Secret Hand, puppetry and film collective
UTU: Sailor’s Wife – Ville Hakonen & Jussi Sandhu
Very Short Portrait: John Elder – Bianca Giaever
Fitzcardboardaldo – Robin Frohardt
Wye Oak Fish – Michael Patrick O’Leary & Katherine Fahey
Klonox – Thomas Guerigen
Tufty – Jason Butler & Brendan Butler
Deluxe – Daniel (feat Youthstar) – Alexandre Vignaud
The Corrugation of Dreams – Robin Frohardt
Sanko – Graeme Maclean, Christopher Sturman
The Salty Sea – Audrey Harrer
Fish out of Water, Joyride – Ben Barnes
Pop Art – Amanda Boyle
The Grumpy King, Belly Dancer – Directed for Cartoon Network by Jonny Sabbagh & Will Harper
Imagine Dragons, Radioactive – Syndrome

Kid Films: Shortstack!

Alphabet – Sesame Street
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse – Smarmy Kunst Productions
Not Alone – Trish Sie
The Spy Who Loved Cookies – Sesame Street
The Grumpy King, Magic Wand – Directed for Cartoon Network by Jonny Sabbagh & Will Harper
Ego – Victoria Van Patten
I Need a Word – Sesame Street
Crane and Tortoise – Matty Sidle
Genius Knows No Formula – Paul Andrejco
That’s Cooperation – Sesame Street
Slip Away, Kathryn Calder – Dean Tzenos
Over Easy, A Planet Egg Short – Zvi Sahar
The Grumpy King, Dancing Bear – Directed for Cartoon Network by Jonny Sabbagh & Will Harper
Elmo the Musical, President – Sesame Street

Special Family Workshops & Performances

Shadow Puppet Workshop for Kids ages 7-13 – Laurie O’Brien
Chinese Theatre Works: Tiger Tales (performance)

2014

BAMcinématek and The Jim Henson Foundation present the fourth annual weekend of the best puppetry on film.

The Dark Crystal Fan Fest, film directed by Jim Henson & Frank Oz (1982, DCP)
Hosted by DarkCrystal.com with special guests Brian, Wendy, and Toby Froud
paired with short: Lessons Learned – directed by Toby Froud

The Thing, directed by John Carpenter (1982, 35mm)
paired with short: La Foret Saugave – directed by Joseph Wallace

Muppets Most Wanted, directed by James Bobin (2014, DCP)
Special Guest: Performer Matt Vogel
paired with short: Camera Obscura, Break it to You Gently – directed by Joseph Mann

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story, directed by Dave LaMattina & Chad N. Walker (2014, DCP)
Special Guests: Caroll Spinney and filmmakers. Sneak preview co-presented by DOC NYC
paired with short: Melvin the Birder – directed by Spencer Lott & David Emmite

Return of the Jedi, directed by Richard Marquand (1983, Blu-ray)
Special Guests: Creature Designers Kirk Thatcher & Wendy Froud
paired with short: At-At day afternoon – directed by Patrick Boivin

Attack the Block, directed by Joe Cornish (2011, DCP)
Special Guest: Creature Movement Coach Terry Notary
paired with short: Table Manners – directed by Rebecca Manley

Davy Jones’ Locker, directed by Joseph Jacoby (1995, Blu-ray)
Special Guests: Joseph Jacoby & Performer William Tost
paired with short: Grumpy King, Potion – directed by Jonny & Will

Tomorrow We Disappear, directed by Jimmy Goldblum & Adam Weber
Special Guests: Directors Jimmy Goldblum & Adam Weber
paired with short: Evening – directed by Vassiliy Dergachev and Dana Ageleuova

Behind the Lid, directed by Steve Lippman
Screened with The Never Bell, directed by Emily Lobsenz
Special Guests: Basil Twist, Steve Lippman, & Emily Lobsenz

Live Action Puppet Shorts

Lessons Learned – Toby Froud
La Foret Sauvage – Joseph Wallace
Neil’s Puppet Dreams, The Lullabye – courtesy of Nerdist and Henson Alternative
The Animated Life of A.R. Wallace – Flora Lichtman and Sharon Shattuck
Watine: The Strings of my fate – Thomas Guerigen
Me + Her – Joseph Oxford
Persona – Kayle Hope
No You Shut Up – courtesy of Fusion and Henson Alternative
Table Manners – Rebecca Manley
Francis Whitemore’s Wife – Michael Patrick O’Leary & Katherine Fahey
Monster – Cecilia Gläsker with half past selber schuld
Evening – Vassiliy Dergachev and Dana Ageleuova
The Tale of the Rat That Wrote – Billy O’Brien

Kid Films: Shortstack!

Raise Your Hand, Sesame Street – Courtesy of Sesame Workshop
Melvin the Birder – Spencer Lott & David Emmite
Grumpy King, Potion – Jonny & Will
Halloween is for Making Friends – Patrick Johnson
At-At day afternoon – Patrick Boivin
Number of the Day, Sesame Street – Courtesy of Sesame Workshop
Hazel Brown – Ali Blankley
Little Blue Tapir – Salla Kallio
Star S’mores, Sesame Street – Courtesy of Sesame Workshop
Camera Obscura, Break it to You Gently – Joseph Mann
The Offering – Giulliano Palladino
Grumpy King, Jousting – Jonny & Will
The Hungry Games: Catching Fur – Courtesy of Sesame Workshop
End of a Summer Storm – Keith Boynton
Grumpy King, Puppet – Jonny & Will
Beaver, Frog and Frog: BFF – Livia Beasley & John E. Kennedy

Special Family Workshops

How to be a Puppeteer – Noel MaNeal
Animal Marionettes – Honey Goodenough

Professional Development

Handmade Puppet Dreams Filmmaking Symposium
Class: Puppetcinema – Zvi Sahar & Leslie Strongwater

Exhibition

Puppets Through the Lens: The Photography of Richard Termine