Tag Archives: afi silver theatre

Small Press Expo and AFI Silver Theatre Announces Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt on May 18

Posted on by
Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt

The Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced two more comics-related films with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in their ongoing film series celebrating comics and their impact on storytelling. This special series will feature screenings of acclaimed films and documentaries, culminating in the highly anticipated SPX 2025 weekend, that will occur September 13-14.

The series continues with a showing of the documentary Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt on May 18 at 3:15 PM.

This in-depth documentary traces Drew Friedman’s evolution from underground comics to the cover of the New Yorker through interviews with Friedman’s friends and colleagues. It also features a rare peek into his private “Jewseum,” perhaps the world’s largest collection of artifacts devoted exclusively to Jewish comedians.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Kevin Dougherty and producer Thom Shubilla.

The first 15 attendees to arrive at the event will receive one free limited-edition T-shirt featuring a glow-in-the-dark Tor Johnson lovingly rendered by Drew Friedman.

For more info and tickets visit the AFI Silver web site.

The SPX-AFI Silver series continues on Sunday, June 1, at 3:45 PM with a showing of No Straight Lines: The Rise of Queer Comics.

Led by such notable queer creators as as Alison Bechdel, Howard Cruse, Maia Kobabe, along with SPXers Denis Kitchen, Lawrence Lyndell and Breena Nunez, this documentary shows the trials and triumphs of the LGBTQIA+ comics community.

Preceded by a video intro from filmmaker Vivian Kleiman.

For more info and tickets visit the AFI Silver web site.

SPX Announces Funny Pages at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Posted on by
Funny Pages

The Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced two more comics-related films with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in their ongoing film series celebrating comics and their impact on storytelling. This special series features screenings of acclaimed films and documentaries, culminating in the highly anticipated SPX 2025 weekend, that will occur September 13-14.

The SPX-AFI Silver series continues on Sunday, April 13, at 3:45 PM at the AFI Silver Theatre with a showing of Funny Pages.

Director Owen Kline made an auspicious debut as a filmmaker with this quirky and blackly comic coming-of-age tale. Kline’s love for comic book art shines through, as does an awareness that genuine underground and outsider art does not come from corporate workplaces or well-adjusted people.

The film will be screening in 35mm with a special appearance by director Owen Kline.

For more info and tickets visit the AFI Silver web site.

The series continues with a showing of the documentary Drew Friedman: Vermeer of the Borscht Belt that will be held on May 18 at 3:15 PM.

This in-depth documentary traces Drew Friedman‘s evolution from underground comics to the cover of the New Yorker through interviews with Friedman’s friends and colleagues. It also features a rare peek into his private “Jewseum,” perhaps the world’s largest collection of artifacts devoted exclusively to Jewish comedians.

For more info and tickets visit the AFI Silver web site.

SPX Announces Art Spiegelman Documentary at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center

Posted on by
Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse

The Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced an exciting collaboration with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center to present a film series celebrating comics and their impact on storytelling. This special series will feature screenings of acclaimed films and documentaries, culminating in the highly anticipated SPX 2025 weekend, that will occur September 13-14.

The series launches with the Washington, DC premiere of Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse! on Sunday, March 9, at 7:00 PM at the AFI Silver Theatre.

This intimate documentary explores the life and creative process of legendary Maus cartoonist Art Spiegelman.

Following the screening, co-director Philip Dolan will participate in a Q&A session to discuss the making of the film and Spiegelman’s profound influence on the comics world.

Throughout the year, the SPX-AFI Silver film series will continue with a diverse lineup of films celebrating comics, cartoonists, and their unique storytelling power.

In April, the series will feature Funny Pages, a teen coming-of-age story about becoming a cartoonist, screening in 35mm with a special appearance by director Owen Kline. Tickets go on sale next week at AFI.com/Silver.

Further screenings and guest appearances will be announced in the coming months.