Coral Reef Cinema Club: 16mm Film Screenings

About this event

This selection of short films explores Thanksgiving, history and the stories that shape our understanding of the holiday. Presented on 16mm film, the screening offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and consider different perspectives. In collaboration with Special Collections. For more information, contact the branch at 305-233-8324 or email quiroslasom@mdpls.org. Ages 19 yrs.+

About the Films:

The First Thanksgiving : 1991 20 mins

"A dramatic re-creation of the first Thanksgiving"--Leaflet.

Plymouth Colony, First Year : 1980 16 mins

Presents scenes filmed at authentically reconstructed Plimoth Plantation at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and on board the Mayflower II in the re-enactment of important events during the first year of Plymouth Colony. Describes the Pilgrims' struggle with hardship and disease, and their lasting accomplishment in establishing principles of freedom and democracy in the New World

The North American Indian and Edward Curtis : 1984 30 mins

Presents a look at the history of the North American Indian through film footage shot by Edward Curtis around the turn of the century. These film clips record ancient rituals from various tribes before they were influenced by the arrivals of white men. Also includes some of Curtis's still photographs from the same period.

About the Film Collection

The Miami-Dade Public Library holds one of the remaining, circulating 16mm film collections. The collection dates back to 1956 and was developed to be a teaching collection designed to be used for public programming. Its holdings include acclaimed feature films such as Rashomon (1950), Alphaville (1965), The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Pandora’s Box (1928), and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). However, what makes this collection special is the wide array of short films, ranging from experimental created by notable artists like Len Lye, Luis Bunel, Homer Groening, Kenneth Anger, Sergei Eisenstein, John Whitney to the educational produced by the likes of Pyramid Films, Xerox, McGraw Hill, and National Film Board of Canada.

Unique to the collection are Florida specific titles like Enchanted (1982), Metropolis in the Sun (1989), The Everglades (1970), A Hurricane Named Betsy (1965), Miccosukee Indian Friends (1975), Salesman (1969), and more.

The library’s films are available to be checked out for a period of 2 weeks to Miami-Dade Public Library cardholders. The library does not circulate equipment and projectors – patrons will need to have their own. Patrons can also access the films on-site at the library through a research visit scheduled with the Special Collections department.

About the Division of Special Collections & Archives

Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Division of Special Collections & Archives holds rare and irreplaceable historical documents for the benefit of the public and scholarly community. They oversee the Helen Muir Florida Collection, 16mm Film Collection, Cuban Collection of Rare Books & Ephemera, Genealogy Collection