Mike Mashon
@mikemashon.bsky.social
Former Library of Congress film/video person, now at leisure. President of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. Acting President, Association of Moving Image Archivists and IndieCollect Board Member. Geaux Tigers.
Spectacular conversation between two of the best, full of insight (and links! so many links!)
I was *honored* to chat with the great @oldfilmsflicker.bsky.social for her new Silent Sundays interviews series!!! 🎶🎞️❤️
oldfilmsflicker.substack.com/p/silent-fil...
We talk about Léontine (obvi), death by laughter, feminist archival curating, @nastysilents.bsky.social, and much more!!
oldfilmsflicker.substack.com/p/silent-fil...
We talk about Léontine (obvi), death by laughter, feminist archival curating, @nastysilents.bsky.social, and much more!!
The Silent Era Was Way More Radical: A Conversation with Prof. Maggie Hennefeld
Silent Sundays: Interviews
oldfilmsflicker.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Spectacular conversation between two of the best, full of insight (and links! so many links!)
Great article that doubles as a powerful testament to film preservation. Kudos to Katie Trainor, Greg Pierce, and the crew at Colorlab.
Rediscovered Warhols That Warhol Never Saw
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Great article that doubles as a powerful testament to film preservation. Kudos to Katie Trainor, Greg Pierce, and the crew at Colorlab.
Reposted by Mike Mashon
The Library of Congress has announced 25 new films added to the National Film Registry. Two silents from the teens have been preserved with NFPF funding and are now available to stream on the NFPF's website: THE OATH OF THE SWORD (1914) & THE MAID OF MCMILLAN (1916). Follow the thread for the links.
January 29, 2026 at 2:06 PM
The Library of Congress has announced 25 new films added to the National Film Registry. Two silents from the teens have been preserved with NFPF funding and are now available to stream on the NFPF's website: THE OATH OF THE SWORD (1914) & THE MAID OF MCMILLAN (1916). Follow the thread for the links.
Reposted by Mike Mashon
NEWS: The Library of Congress has selected 25 films for the National Film Registry due to their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage. Highlights in this thread. 🧵
blogs.loc.gov/loc/2026/01/...
#NatFilmRegistry
blogs.loc.gov/loc/2026/01/...
#NatFilmRegistry
The 2025 National Film Registry: “The Thing,” “Inception,” “Clueless” and More! | Timeless
The 2025 National Film Registry is out today, showcasing a group of 25 films spanning 118 years and including fan favorites such as “The Thing,” “Clueless,” “The Big Chill” and “The Incredibles.” The ...
blogs.loc.gov
January 29, 2026 at 1:25 PM
NEWS: The Library of Congress has selected 25 films for the National Film Registry due to their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage. Highlights in this thread. 🧵
blogs.loc.gov/loc/2026/01/...
#NatFilmRegistry
blogs.loc.gov/loc/2026/01/...
#NatFilmRegistry
Another reason to subscribe to Andrew’s @500songspodcast.bsky.social podcast: several episodes do an outstanding job explaining film and sound recording copyright both in Europe and the US.
While I'm a supporter of limited copyright laws, it is absurd that this film from 1894 was in copyright in the UK until 2006...
FRED OTT'S SNEEZE (1894) Special Edition
(Additional frames were recovered from a magazine, which were scanned and added to the runtime by the Library of Congress)
(Additional frames were recovered from a magazine, which were scanned and added to the runtime by the Library of Congress)
January 25, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Another reason to subscribe to Andrew’s @500songspodcast.bsky.social podcast: several episodes do an outstanding job explaining film and sound recording copyright both in Europe and the US.
I enjoy going through filmographies (in order!) and in 2025 that was Mikio Naruse’s. I watched 86 films on @criterionchannl.bsky.social, still the best $99 value out there.
January 1, 2026 at 6:52 PM
I enjoy going through filmographies (in order!) and in 2025 that was Mikio Naruse’s. I watched 86 films on @criterionchannl.bsky.social, still the best $99 value out there.
The first silent flm I ever saw was Orphans of the Storm from the series The Silent Years, broadcast on Little Rock PBS station KETS in 1971. No exaggeration to say it quite literally changed my life and led to a rewarding career at the Library of Congress. Very sad about this.
Arkansas will become the first state to lose PBS.
The state-wide network will switch to local programming in 2026 — after a vote by a board appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
"We want our states in the driver’s seat when it comes to educational television"
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo... #PBS
The state-wide network will switch to local programming in 2026 — after a vote by a board appointed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
"We want our states in the driver’s seat when it comes to educational television"
arktimes.com/arkansas-blo... #PBS
RIP, Arkansas PBS - Arkansas Times
The end of federal funding for public media demolishes Arkansas PBS. The station will rebrand as ATV and feature mainly local programming.
arktimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:10 AM
The first silent flm I ever saw was Orphans of the Storm from the series The Silent Years, broadcast on Little Rock PBS station KETS in 1971. No exaggeration to say it quite literally changed my life and led to a rewarding career at the Library of Congress. Very sad about this.
It was an outstanding conference and I'm forever grateful to be part of the Association of Moving Image Archivists community. Join us!
It really does take a village! An AMIA conference is possible only because our community comes together—from committees and presenters to volunteers, local hosts, partners, and sponsors. Thank you to everyone who participated and joined us in Baltimore for AMIA's 35th annual conference!
December 12, 2025 at 10:43 PM
It was an outstanding conference and I'm forever grateful to be part of the Association of Moving Image Archivists community. Join us!
Dan and Maria are enduring a Kafkaesque nightmare not of their doing. Please help if you can.
Sheepishly and reluctantly, we turn to this.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-dan-m...
www.gofundme.com/f/help-dan-m...
Donate to Help Dan & Maria Rebuild after Legal and Housing Ordeal, organized by Maria and Dan
We are Dan and Maria. The events that lead us to GoFundMe were … Maria and Dan needs your support for Help Dan & Maria Rebuild after Legal and Housing Ordeal
www.gofundme.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Dan and Maria are enduring a Kafkaesque nightmare not of their doing. Please help if you can.
Reposted by Mike Mashon
Bill Morrison will deliver the closing keynoteat #AMIA25. His keynote will feature a special screening of his Academy Award–nominated film Incident with a discussion of his creative process and the evolving role of archival media in contemporary filmmaking. https://loom.ly/ifQLvOc
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Bill Morrison will deliver the closing keynoteat #AMIA25. His keynote will feature a special screening of his Academy Award–nominated film Incident with a discussion of his creative process and the evolving role of archival media in contemporary filmmaking. https://loom.ly/ifQLvOc
Reposted by Mike Mashon
We're proud to be co-presenting the 1929 film ASPHALT at the #SFSFF on Sun, Nov 16, 5:00 pm, Orinda Theatre . Live musical accompaniment by the Sascha Jacobsen Ensemble Use use the promo code NOIRSF for $2 off at checkout: bit.ly/4p1eMFM
@eddiemuller.bsky.social @moviessilently.bsky.social
@eddiemuller.bsky.social @moviessilently.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
We're proud to be co-presenting the 1929 film ASPHALT at the #SFSFF on Sun, Nov 16, 5:00 pm, Orinda Theatre . Live musical accompaniment by the Sascha Jacobsen Ensemble Use use the promo code NOIRSF for $2 off at checkout: bit.ly/4p1eMFM
@eddiemuller.bsky.social @moviessilently.bsky.social
@eddiemuller.bsky.social @moviessilently.bsky.social
And you can see film of the 1924 Game 7 here blogs.loc.gov/now-see-hear...
November 2, 2025 at 4:10 AM
And you can see film of the 1924 Game 7 here blogs.loc.gov/now-see-hear...
This was my favorite at last year’s Pordenone silent film festival. Can’t wait to see it again!
San Francisco Silent Film Festival program is out! Nov 12-16 at the Orinda Theater. I’ll be introducing Anna Ondry in SAXOPHONE SUZY. Come join me! #FilmSky
silentfilm.org
silentfilm.org
October 2, 2025 at 4:06 AM
This was my favorite at last year’s Pordenone silent film festival. Can’t wait to see it again!
Me, but also with movies. But I consider it a blessing I can often come to films fresh despite having seen them just a few years ago. I have a terrible memory for plots.
"You’re Not Supposed to Remember the Book -
The idea that we should remember everything we read rests on a very particular and largely incorrect model of memory.
It treats the brain like a hard drive, where books are files that either load completely or not at all, but memory is not a filesystem."
The idea that we should remember everything we read rests on a very particular and largely incorrect model of memory.
It treats the brain like a hard drive, where books are files that either load completely or not at all, but memory is not a filesystem."
You’re Not Supposed to Remember the Book
Every few months someone will admit that they read a lot but hardly remember any of it.
horacebianchon.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Me, but also with movies. But I consider it a blessing I can often come to films fresh despite having seen them just a few years ago. I have a terrible memory for plots.
Post one of the most haunting shots in movie history from a film made before the year 2000.
August 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Post one of the most haunting shots in movie history from a film made before the year 2000.
I treasure this beautiful work. Thanks to @orphanfilm.bsky.social for introducing me to it.
"Composer Gavin Bryars looped and layered a recording of a rough sleeper to create something hypnotic."
Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet — how a homeless man’s singing became a contemporary classic:
Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet — how a homeless man’s singing became a contemporary classic:
Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet — how a homeless man’s singing became a contemporary classic
Composer Gavin Bryars looped and layered a recording of a rough sleeper to create something hypnotic
ig.ft.com
August 12, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I treasure this beautiful work. Thanks to @orphanfilm.bsky.social for introducing me to it.
Wrote my masters thesis on Gloria at United Artists back in the 80s and enjoyed reading the unfolding trauma of the QUEEN KELLY shoot via memos and telegrams in her papers. Can't wait to see this @milestonefilms.bsky.social edition.
August 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Wrote my masters thesis on Gloria at United Artists back in the 80s and enjoyed reading the unfolding trauma of the QUEEN KELLY shoot via memos and telegrams in her papers. Can't wait to see this @milestonefilms.bsky.social edition.
For some godforsaken reason I took a first date to see PINK FLAMINGOS, she threw up, and of course no second date.
Got me thinking.. What's the strongest reaction you've seen an audience member have to a scene in a cinema?
During the birthday party scene in SIGNS I saw a whole row of young women literally throw their popcorn in the air like a cartoon.
During the birthday party scene in SIGNS I saw a whole row of young women literally throw their popcorn in the air like a cartoon.
Someone in my audience had a very audible negative reaction to the dog scene in TOGETHER. So that was fun!
August 1, 2025 at 6:50 PM
For some godforsaken reason I took a first date to see PINK FLAMINGOS, she threw up, and of course no second date.
From 1985-1990 I conducted HIV testing for the Texas Dept of Health. Thrilled by this news, even as I’m thinking of the many anonymous, positive samples that passed through the lab those years.
The first 100% effective HIV prevention drug is approved and going global
An epidemic that's been sustained for 44 years might finally be quelled, with the milestone approval of the first HIV drug that offers 100% protection with its twice-yearly injections. It's a landmark...
newatlas.com
July 28, 2025 at 3:58 AM
From 1985-1990 I conducted HIV testing for the Texas Dept of Health. Thrilled by this news, even as I’m thinking of the many anonymous, positive samples that passed through the lab those years.
as someone who worked with him for 25 years, this doubles as a life hack
Be like Geo. Be in Ohio for the 2026 Orphan Film Symposium. (Orphans 2016: LoC Packard Theater. George Willeman, Stephanie Sapienza, Andrea Callard.
July 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
as someone who worked with him for 25 years, this doubles as a life hack
Reposted by Mike Mashon
something you may not know about me is that i am a hurricane katrina survivor.
this year is the 20th anniversary of the hurricane and i am honored to be co-curating a film program at MoMA that takes a look at new orleans before, during, & after the storm. learn more: www.moma.org/calendar/fil...
this year is the 20th anniversary of the hurricane and i am honored to be co-curating a film program at MoMA that takes a look at new orleans before, during, & after the storm. learn more: www.moma.org/calendar/fil...
July 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
something you may not know about me is that i am a hurricane katrina survivor.
this year is the 20th anniversary of the hurricane and i am honored to be co-curating a film program at MoMA that takes a look at new orleans before, during, & after the storm. learn more: www.moma.org/calendar/fil...
this year is the 20th anniversary of the hurricane and i am honored to be co-curating a film program at MoMA that takes a look at new orleans before, during, & after the storm. learn more: www.moma.org/calendar/fil...
Couldn't agree more on this entertaining and informative bio. cc @eliinbethesda.bsky.social
37. DARK CARNIVAL: One of the best biographies I've read so far. If you've ever wanted to learn about the struggles of director Tod Browning, and why his work is so vital, this is a required text. Gorgeous pictures here. So happy this is finally back in print.
July 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Couldn't agree more on this entertaining and informative bio. cc @eliinbethesda.bsky.social
At a Library of Congress event I peed between two Jonas Brothers on my left and the third on my right. Made a joke about syncing siblings, understandably got no reaction.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
June 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
At a Library of Congress event I peed between two Jonas Brothers on my left and the third on my right. Made a joke about syncing siblings, understandably got no reaction.
read more about the Lilli Vincenz films here
June 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
read more about the Lilli Vincenz films here