BSL-English supported event

Stop the press! Award-winning American author, historian and filmmaker Mindy Johnson will, for the first time, share with audiences outside the USA her game-changing research which redefines our understanding of women's historical roles within early animation and beyond… completely shattering the prevailing myth that the early animation industry was solely developed and created by men.  

Featuring rare clips, imagery and artwork, Mindy will reveal the hitherto untold ‘herstory’ of Bessie Mae Kelley who worked elbow-to-elbow with Max Fleischer (creator of Betty Boop and Popeye), Paul Terry (Mighty Mouse) and Walter Lantz (Woody Woodpecker).

Join us during this centenary year of the Walt Disney Studios, to find out more about this unsung, pioneering animator whose animated mouse couple Roderick and Gladys, predates the birth of animation royalty: Mickey and Minnie.

Supported by the British Association for American Studies

Run Time: 1h 30m