The Flaherty Film Seminar at 70

Established in 1954, the Flaherty Film Seminar was among the first events of its kind: an annual gathering where filmmakers, curators, students and documentary enthusiasts alike could convene to watch films old and new and discuss new directions in nonfiction cinema. The seminar was first hosted by Frances Flaherty, the widow of Robert Flaherty, on the family farm. In its early years, the seminar routinely combined the newest works of cinema verité, newsreels, socially-and- politically-minded independent productions from around the world, and films from the American avant-garde. Over the decades, the seminar has evolved to embrace developments in the documentary field, and while operating largely outside of the industry, has introduced North American audiences to some of the most significant artists and filmmakers of our time. Today, the Flaherty Film Seminar remains a vital exhibition platform for international non-fiction cinema and moving image art, as well as a forum for dialogue and debate surrounding the medium’s contours and broader impacts. 

MoMA will mark the Seminar’s 70th year in two parts. First, we present a concise selection of films that have screened at past seminars (a robust exhibition history that features several generations of MoMA film curators – Willard Van Dyke, Adrienne Mancia, William Sloan, Jytte Jensen, and Sally Berger – as guest programmers or advisors). On June 26, the museum will host the opening night of ONWARD!, the 70th Flaherty Film Seminar, which will be held in New York City for the first time. The opening screening program will not be announced in advance, in keeping with the seminar’s tradition.

Public tickets to the June 26 opening night will be available through MoMA; for seminar registration and other details, please visit theflaherty.org.

Organized by Sophie Cavoulacos, Associate Curator, Department of Film, with Olivia Priedite, Film Program Coordinator and Sean Egan, Senior Producer, Film Exhibitions and Projects, Department of Film.

Film at MoMA is made possible by CHANEL.

Additional support is provided by the Annual Film Fund. Leadership support for the Annual Film Fund is provided by Debra and Leon D. Black, with major funding from The Contemporary Arts Council of The Museum of Modern Art, The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP), and The Young Patrons Council of The Museum of Modern Art.