Experimental Animation Collective “Femme Grotesquerie” to Screen in Los Angeles
Los Angeles Filmforum will host a screening of Femme Grotesquerie, a curated program of ten contemporary experimental animated short films, on , at 7:30 p.m. At 2220 Arts + Archives on Beverly Boulevard. The program, described as showcasing femininity as “unruly, excessive, and emboldened,” will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Jenny Nirgends and curator Sam Gurry.
The films within Femme Grotesquerie employ a diverse range of animation techniques, including direct animation, stop motion, and digital 2D. According to Gurry, the collection aims to present femininity not as a decorative element, but as something “pushed to its edges: raw, acute, tender, funny, and volatile.” The program’s title itself suggests a deliberate subversion of traditional representations, embracing the “grotesque” as a means of reclaiming and reimagining feminine narratives.
The selection of films represents an international array of talent, featuring work from Justine Lai, Alice Bloomfield, Anu-Laura Tuttelberg, Amy Lockhart, Victoria Vincent, Sofia Carillo, Sophie Koko Gate, Jenny Jokela, Louise Flaherty, and Jenny Nirgends. The program includes Justine Lai’s Moon Cycle, a 16mm animation inspired by the 1992 anime series Sailor Moon, which utilizes unconventional materials like ink, marker, tape, printer toner, nail polish, and confetti to recreate the show’s transformation sequences. Other highlights include works that have already garnered attention at prominent film festivals, such as the porcelain puppet animation On Weary Wings Go By, which premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, and The Gnawer of Rocks (Mangittatuarjuk), recently screened at Sundance.
The curatorial vision behind Femme Grotesquerie is to provide a platform for voices and visions often marginalized within mainstream animation. Gurry notes that the films “stage feminine aesthetics and narratives to be wielded, distorted, reclaimed, and reimagined on the animators’ own terms.” This emphasis on artistic agency and challenging conventional representations positions the program as a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation surrounding gender and representation in the arts.
Los Angeles Filmforum, the organization presenting the screening, has a long history of supporting independent and experimental media art. Founded 50 years ago, the organization is dedicated to the exhibition of non-commercial work and plays a vital role in the cultural landscape of Southern California. The choice to showcase Femme Grotesquerie aligns with Filmforum’s commitment to personal, hand-crafted, and progressive filmmaking.
Tickets for the screening are priced at $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, and are free for Filmforum members. Further information and advance tickets are available at lafilmforum.org. The event promises a unique and thought-provoking cinematic experience, offering audiences a glimpse into the innovative and boundary-pushing world of contemporary experimental animation.
The program’s description evokes a sense of deliberate disruption, framing the featured works as explorations of “desires that curdle” and “ambitions that molt.” This poetic language suggests a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and challenge societal expectations, making Femme Grotesquerie a potentially resonant event for audiences interested in art that pushes boundaries and sparks dialogue.
