Ken Jacobs

Ken Jacobs

DirectorActorEditorWriterCrew May 25 (died age 92) Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, USA 1955–2026 (71 year career)
5.9 avg rating

Biography

A pioneer of the American film avant-garde of the 1960s and '70s, Ken Jacobs is a central figure in post-war experimental cinema. From his first films of the late 1950s to his recent experiments with digital video, his investigations and innovations have influenced countless artists. A New Yorker by birth, Jacobs graduated from City University to find himself in the midst of the downtown art scene of the 1960s, which included artists Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol, beat writers Allen Ginsb…

Known For

Filmography

Acting (34)

Movies (34)

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse

Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse

2025

as Self

9.0
Ken Jacobs - from Orchard Street to the Museum of Modern Art

Ken Jacobs - from Orchard Street to the Museum of Modern Art

2023

as Self

Art-House America: Austin Film Society

Art-House America: Austin Film Society

2023

as Self

Fragments of Paradise

Fragments of Paradise

2022

as Self

6.5
Please Leave a Message: Anthology Film Archives Voicemails Through the Ages

Please Leave a Message: Anthology Film Archives Voicemails Through the Ages

2022
Reminiscences of Jonas Mekas

Reminiscences of Jonas Mekas

2016
What Is Cinema?

What Is Cinema?

2013

as Self

6.5
The Eternal Courtship

The Eternal Courtship

2013
Emma's Dilemma

Emma's Dilemma

2012

as Himself

1.0
Sleepless Nights Stories

Sleepless Nights Stories

2011

as Self

5.3
Free Radicals: A History of Experimental Film

Free Radicals: A History of Experimental Film

2011

as Himself

6.8
Cinematic Correspondences: Jonas Mekas - J.L. Guerin

Cinematic Correspondences: Jonas Mekas - J.L. Guerin

2011

as Himself

7.0
Lavender

Lavender

2010

as Self

Santos Dumont: Pré-Cineasta?

Santos Dumont: Pré-Cineasta?

2010

as Himself

5.0
Momma's Man

Momma's Man

2008

as Dad

6.2
Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis

Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis

2007

as Self

6.6
365 Day Project

365 Day Project

2007

as Self

10.0
Star Spangled to Death

Star Spangled to Death

2004

as Oscar Friendly / Ringmaster / Janitor

7.5
Nervous Ken

Nervous Ken

2003
Shorts From the Underground

Shorts From the Underground

2002

as Self

As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty

As I Was Moving Ahead, Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty

2000

as Self

7.6
Birth of a Nation

Birth of a Nation

1997

as Self

6.3
Jonas in the Desert

Jonas in the Desert

1994

as Self

5.5
Quartet Number One

Quartet Number One

1991
7.5
He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life

He Stands in a Desert Counting the Seconds of His Life

1986

as Self (archive footage)

8.2
Home Movies 1971-81

Home Movies 1971-81

1985
Lost, Lost, Lost

Lost, Lost, Lost

1976

as Self

7.0
Horizons

Horizons

1973
8.5
Notes on the Buffalo Conference: “Autobiography in American Independent Cinema”

Notes on the Buffalo Conference: “Autobiography in American Independent Cinema”

1973
Diaries, Notes, and Sketches

Diaries, Notes, and Sketches

1968

as Self

7.4
Huge Pupils

Huge Pupils

1968

as Himself

Bill's Hat

Bill's Hat

1967
Blonde Cobra

Blonde Cobra

1963
2.7
Scotch Tape

Scotch Tape

1962
4.2

Crew (277)

Movies (277)

Downtown Loft with Skylights

Downtown Loft with Skylights

2026 Upcoming

Director

Apr 20

Book of Eternalisms 39

Book of Eternalisms 39

2025

Director

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

2023

Director

Book of Eternalisms 1-6

Book of Eternalisms 1-6

2023

Director

From Introduction to Orson Welles’s Falstaff: Chimes at Midnight

From Introduction to Orson Welles’s Falstaff: Chimes at Midnight

2023

Director

Writhing City

Writhing City

2023

Director

Spasm

Spasm

2023

Director

Other Urban Lives

Other Urban Lives

2023

Director

Tourists of the Familiar 15

Tourists of the Familiar 15

2023

Director

Up the Illusion

Up the Illusion

2023

Director

Tourists of the Familiar 5

Tourists of the Familiar 5

2023

Director

Tourists of the Familiar 1

Tourists of the Familiar 1

2023

Director

Whims of Twenty Twenty-Three

Whims of Twenty Twenty-Three

2023

Director

Tourists of the Familiar 10

Tourists of the Familiar 10

2023

Director

Tourists of the Familiar 20

Tourists of the Familiar 20

2023

Director

Buster Keaton Embossed

Buster Keaton Embossed

2022

Director

One Dozen Roses

One Dozen Roses

2022

Director

Sergei Eisenstein Embossed

Sergei Eisenstein Embossed

2022

Director

America Lets Her Hair Down 1905

America Lets Her Hair Down 1905

2022

Director

When Timofeev Moves Everything Moves

When Timofeev Moves Everything Moves

2022

Director

Real Action Figures

Real Action Figures

2022

Director

A Small Misunderstanding

A Small Misunderstanding

2021

Director

Eternal Beach

Eternal Beach

2021

Director

XCXHXEXRXRXIXEXSX

XCXHXEXRXRXIXEXSX

2021

Director

XCXHXEXRXRXIXEXSX

XCXHXEXRXRXIXEXSX

2021

Editor

Adventures of Cookie Truck

Adventures of Cookie Truck

2021

Director

Cartoonish 1-10

Cartoonish 1-10

2021

Director

Hoffman Student

Hoffman Student

2021

Director

Aspiring To Music

Aspiring To Music

2021

Director

Abstract Eternalism

Abstract Eternalism

2021

Director

Double Wow

Double Wow

2021

Director

Municipal Building Passage

Municipal Building Passage

2020

Director

Broadway Buildings II

Broadway Buildings II

2020

Director

Chinese New Years II

Chinese New Years II

2020

Director

City Foliage

City Foliage

2020

Director

Reading Society

Reading Society

2020

Director

Friendly Building

Friendly Building

2020

Director

Broadway Buildings III

Broadway Buildings III

2020

Director

Resting Merchant

Resting Merchant

2020

Director

Hubble II

Hubble II

2020

Director

Doyer Street

Doyer Street

2020

Director

DR. TOOTHY

DR. TOOTHY

2020

Director

Spiky

Spiky

2020

Director

Natural Collage

Natural Collage

2020

Director

Red Green

Red Green

2020

Director

DeKooning Passed

DeKooning Passed

2020

Director

Duck

Duck

2020

Director

Barber

Barber

2020

Director

Spaceworks

Spaceworks

2020

Director

Ken and Flo

Ken and Flo

2020

Director

Flowers and Bike

Flowers and Bike

2020

Director

Working Girls (short)

Working Girls (short)

2020

Director

Rain Clouds

Rain Clouds

2020

Director

6.0
Garage Wall

Garage Wall

2020

Director

Street Commerce

Street Commerce

2020

Director

Facade with Face

Facade with Face

2020

Director

Period Piece

Period Piece

2020

Director

Bargains

Bargains

2020

Director

Clouds and Trees

Clouds and Trees

2020

Director

Fire Escape

Fire Escape

2020

Director

Sleeping American

Sleeping American

2020

Director

Broadway Building

Broadway Building

2020

Director

Bandit

Bandit

2020

Director

Chinese New Years

Chinese New Years

2020

Director

Storefront

Storefront

2020

Director

Roots of Manhattan

Roots of Manhattan

2020

Director

Water Balloon

Water Balloon

2020

Director

Street Commerce II

Street Commerce II

2020

Director

Transparent Apartments

Transparent Apartments

2020

Director

Halley’s Comet

Halley’s Comet

2020

Director

Rubble

Rubble

2020

Director

Bison

Bison

2020

Director

Neon Sign

Neon Sign

2020

Director

RECIPROCAL

RECIPROCAL

2020

Director

Brick Building with Red and Green Windows

Brick Building with Red and Green Windows

2020

Director

Movie That Invites Pausing

Movie That Invites Pausing

2020

Director

PAINTED POSTER

PAINTED POSTER

2020

Director

Another Day in Days of Yore

Another Day in Days of Yore

2020

Director

Lazy City

Lazy City

2020

Director

Whirlpool

Whirlpool

2020

Director

Foliage in Moving Car Window

Foliage in Moving Car Window

2020

Director

Waiting Room Window

Waiting Room Window

2020

Director

Things to Come

Things to Come

2019

Director

Joan Mitchell: Departures

Joan Mitchell: Departures

2019

Director

THE WHOLE SHEBANG

THE WHOLE SHEBANG

2019

Director

Cartoon

Cartoon

2019

Director

CRUSH

CRUSH

2019

Director

Chaos Is Order Misunderstood

Chaos Is Order Misunderstood

2019

Director

Dimsum and Dragons

Dimsum and Dragons

2019

Director

The Sky Socialist: The Environs

The Sky Socialist: The Environs

2019

Director

Figures I - V

Figures I - V

2019

Director

Above the Rain

Above the Rain

2019

Director

MOVING ROAD

MOVING ROAD

2019

Director

Once Upon a Planet

Once Upon a Planet

2019

Director

Details of Pollock's White Light

Details of Pollock's White Light

2019

Director

Failure

Failure

2019

Director

PAPPY SEES 3D, TOO

PAPPY SEES 3D, TOO

2019

Director

Nervous Magic Lantern: 3D for One or Two Naked Eyes

Nervous Magic Lantern: 3D for One or Two Naked Eyes

2019

Director

Sebastian and Jonas Leaving the Party

Sebastian and Jonas Leaving the Party

2019

Director

Tree Stump

Tree Stump

2018

Director

The Moments: Evening Boat Ride

The Moments: Evening Boat Ride

2018

Director

Get Up and Go

Get Up and Go

2017

Director

A Spin Through Night City

A Spin Through Night City

2017

Director

Shelley Duvall is Olive Oyl

Shelley Duvall is Olive Oyl

2017

Director

Along the Elevated

Along the Elevated

2017

Director

Windbreaker

Windbreaker

2017

Director

8.0
Ulysses in the Subway

Ulysses in the Subway

2017

Director

Swee’pea’s Favorite Eternalisms

Swee’pea’s Favorite Eternalisms

2017

Director

Ken Jacobs / Ghosts Of The Holy Ghost Spermic Brotherhood @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / Ghosts Of The Holy Ghost Spermic Brotherhood @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Mosco Street 2

Mosco Street 2

2016

Director

I'm Telling You

I'm Telling You

2016

Director

Mosco Street 3: Attack of The Perfect Camera (Fuji W3)

Mosco Street 3: Attack of The Perfect Camera (Fuji W3)

2016

Director

Reichstag 9/11

Reichstag 9/11

2016

Director

Ken Jacobs / Tom Chiu of Flux Quartet @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / Tom Chiu of Flux Quartet @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Lurking

Lurking

2016

Director

Ken Jacobs / Robert Poss @The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / Robert Poss @The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Ken Jacobs / diNMachine @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / diNMachine @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Ken Jacobs / Rick Reed & Tara Bhattacharya @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / Rick Reed & Tara Bhattacharya @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Hydroelectric Dam

Hydroelectric Dam

2016

Director

Ken Jacobs / JG Thirlwell @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / JG Thirlwell @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Snow in Headlights II

Snow in Headlights II

2016

Director

Molten Landscape

Molten Landscape

2016

Director

Ken Jacobs / Victoria Keddie @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

Ken Jacobs / Victoria Keddie @ The Nervous Magic Lantern Festival

2016

Director

Cyclops Observes the Celestial Bodies

Cyclops Observes the Celestial Bodies

2015

Director

Cyclops Observes the Celestial Bodies

Cyclops Observes the Celestial Bodies

2015

Writer

Zazie Learns About Money

Zazie Learns About Money

2015

Director

Batchellor’s Dog and Beach

Batchellor’s Dog and Beach

2015

Director

The Lackadaisical Speed of Light

The Lackadaisical Speed of Light

2015

Director

Granular

Granular

2015

Director

Chrysalis

Chrysalis

2015

Director

Floral

Floral

2015

Director

Afternoon Tide

Afternoon Tide

2015

Director

Empty Seats

Empty Seats

2015

Director

Aimless Sightseeing, Seoul

Aimless Sightseeing, Seoul

2015

Director

Popeye Sees 3-D

Popeye Sees 3-D

2014

Director

Pygmalion Cubed

Pygmalion Cubed

2014

Director

Canopy

Canopy

2014

Director

5.0
Celestial Bodies

Celestial Bodies

2014

Director

The Guests

The Guests

2014

Director

6.0
Wire Fence

Wire Fence

2014

Director

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #4

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #4

2013

Director

A Primer in Sky Socialism

A Primer in Sky Socialism

2013

Director

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #3

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #3

2013

Director

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #2

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #2

2013

Director

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #2

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #2

2013

Technical Supervisor

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #1

Joys of Waiting for the Broadway Bus #1

2013

Director

20 Little Films

20 Little Films

2012

Director

Blankets for Indians

Blankets for Indians

2012

Director

Street Vendor

Street Vendor

2012

Director

Seeking the Monkey King

Seeking the Monkey King

2011

Director

4.8
The Pushcarts Leave Eternity Street

The Pushcarts Leave Eternity Street

2011

Director

The Pushcarts Leave Eternity Street

The Pushcarts Leave Eternity Street

2011

Writer

DAY AND NIGHT

DAY AND NIGHT

2011

Director

60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero

60 Seconds of Solitude in Year Zero

2011

Director

3.8
Another Occupation

Another Occupation

2011

Director

Another Occupation

Another Occupation

2011

Writer

The Roses

The Roses

2011

Director

The Green Wave

The Green Wave

2011

Director

OCCUPY WALL STREET, THE 99% JOIN IN

OCCUPY WALL STREET, THE 99% JOIN IN

2011

Director

America at War, The Home Front: Film Opening

America at War, The Home Front: Film Opening

2011

Director

Revolving Door

Revolving Door

2011

Director

Turbulent Waters

Turbulent Waters

2011

Director

2.0
Cyclopean 3D: Life with a Beautiful Woman

Cyclopean 3D: Life with a Beautiful Woman

2011

Director

Sensoriums at Sea: Dr. Toothy's New Entranceway

Sensoriums at Sea: Dr. Toothy's New Entranceway

2010

Director

Sensoriums at Sea: Toothy Two

Sensoriums at Sea: Toothy Two

2010

Director

The Near-Collision

The Near-Collision

2010

Director

Fair And White: Parts I, II, III and Extra

Fair And White: Parts I, II, III and Extra

2010

Director

A Loft

A Loft

2010

Director

A Loft

A Loft

2010

Editor

The Day Was a Scorcher

The Day Was a Scorcher

2009

Director

The Day Was a Scorcher

The Day Was a Scorcher

2009

Writer

Jonas Mekas in Kodachrome Days

Jonas Mekas in Kodachrome Days

2009

Director

6.5
Walkway

Walkway

2009

Director

Hot Dogs At The Met

Hot Dogs At The Met

2009

Director

“Slow is Beauty”—Rodin

“Slow is Beauty”—Rodin

2009

Director

The Signing

The Signing

2009

Director

Berkeley To San Francisco

Berkeley To San Francisco

2009

Director

What Happened on 23rd Street in 1901

What Happened on 23rd Street in 1901

2009

Director

Bob Fleischner Dying

Bob Fleischner Dying

2009

Director

Brook

Brook

2009

Director

Ronald Gonzales, Sculptor

Ronald Gonzales, Sculptor

2009

Director

Brain Operations

Brain Operations

2009

Director

Excerpt From THE SKY SOCIALIST Stratified

Excerpt From THE SKY SOCIALIST Stratified

2009

Director

Gravity Is Tops

Gravity Is Tops

2009

Director

Amorous Interludes: His Favorite Wife Improved (or The Virtue Of Bad Reception)

Amorous Interludes: His Favorite Wife Improved (or The Virtue Of Bad Reception)

2008

Director

The Discovery

The Discovery

2008

Director

6.5
Alone at Last

Alone at Last

2008

Director

Elbow Dance

Elbow Dance

2008

Director

The Scenic Route

The Scenic Route

2008

Director

Love Story

Love Story

2008

Director

Return to the Scene of the Crime

Return to the Scene of the Crime

2008

Director

Anaglyph Tom (Tom with Puffy Cheeks)

Anaglyph Tom (Tom with Puffy Cheeks)

2008

Director

5.5
New York Ghetto Fishmarket 1903

New York Ghetto Fishmarket 1903

2007

Director

6.0
New York Ghetto Fishmarket 1903

New York Ghetto Fishmarket 1903

2007

Producer

6.0
We Are Charming

We Are Charming

2007

Director

Popeye Sees 3-D, TOO

Popeye Sees 3-D, TOO

2007

Director

Gift of Fire: Nineteen (Obscure) Frames That Changed The World

Gift of Fire: Nineteen (Obscure) Frames That Changed The World

2007

Director

Titles

Titles

2007

Director

1.0
Mosco Street Rapture

Mosco Street Rapture

2007

Director

Nymph

Nymph

2007

Director

Capitalism: Slavery

Capitalism: Slavery

2007

Director

4.9
Capitalism: Child Labor

Capitalism: Child Labor

2007

Director

6.0
Razzle Dazzle: The Lost World

Razzle Dazzle: The Lost World

2007

Director

5.3
Nervous Lantern at Kill Your Timid Notion Festival

Nervous Lantern at Kill Your Timid Notion Festival

2007

Director

Hanky Panky January 1902

Hanky Panky January 1902

2007

Director

Pushcarts of Eternity Street

Pushcarts of Eternity Street

2006

Director

Monks of Cinema

Monks of Cinema

2006

Camera Operator

Two Wrenching Departures

Two Wrenching Departures

2006

Director

5.0
The Surging Sea of Humanity

The Surging Sea of Humanity

2006

Director

Let There Be Whistleblowers

Let There Be Whistleblowers

2006

Director

Celestial Subway Lines/Salvaging Noise

Celestial Subway Lines/Salvaging Noise

2005

Director

5.9
Celestial Subway Lines/Salvaging Noise

Celestial Subway Lines/Salvaging Noise

2005

Editor

5.9
Celestial Subway Lines/Salvaging Noise

Celestial Subway Lines/Salvaging Noise

2005

Producer

5.9
Ontic Antics Starring Laurel and Hardy: Bye Molly

Ontic Antics Starring Laurel and Hardy: Bye Molly

2005

Director

Insistent Clamor

Insistent Clamor

2005

Director

Krypton Is Doomed

Krypton Is Doomed

2005

Director

Spiral Nebula

Spiral Nebula

2005

Director

Spiral Nebula

Spiral Nebula

2005

Writer

Let There Be Whistle Blowers

Let There Be Whistle Blowers

2005

Director

Le Prince: Leeds Bridge 1888

Le Prince: Leeds Bridge 1888

2005

Director

Star Spangled to Death

Star Spangled to Death

2004

Cinematography

7.5
Star Spangled to Death

Star Spangled to Death

2004

Director

7.5
Star Spangled to Death

Star Spangled to Death

2004

Editor

7.5
Star Spangled to Death

Star Spangled to Death

2004

Writer

7.5
Mountaineer Spinning

Mountaineer Spinning

2004

Director

6.0
Keeping an Eye on Stan

Keeping an Eye on Stan

2003

Director

The Sky Socialist: Flight

The Sky Socialist: Flight

2002

Director

Circling Zero: Part One, We See Absence

Circling Zero: Part One, We See Absence

2002

Director

A Tom Tom Chaser

A Tom Tom Chaser

2002

Director

New York Street Trolleys 1900

New York Street Trolleys 1900

1999

Director

Flo Rounds a Corner

Flo Rounds a Corner

1999

Director

5.0
The Georgetown Loop

The Georgetown Loop

1996

Director

7.3
Disorient Express

Disorient Express

1996

Director

Make Light On Film

Make Light On Film

1995

Director

Looting For Rodney

Looting For Rodney

1995

Director

Bitemporal Vision: The Sea

Bitemporal Vision: The Sea

1994

Director

Opening the Nineteenth Century: 1896

Opening the Nineteenth Century: 1896

1991

Director

Opening the Nineteenth Century: 1896

Opening the Nineteenth Century: 1896

1991

Writer

Keaton's Cops

Keaton's Cops

1991

Director

Keaton's Cops

Keaton's Cops

1991

Writer

Chronometer

Chronometer

1990

Director

The Alps and The Jews

The Alps and The Jews

1986

Director

Perfect Film

Perfect Film

1985

Director

6.0
The Doctor's Dream

The Doctor's Dream

1977

Director

Book of Splendors, Part Two, Book of Levers: Action at a Distance

Book of Splendors, Part Two, Book of Levers: Action at a Distance

1977

Director

Spaghetti Aza

Spaghetti Aza

1976

Director

Urban Peasants

Urban Peasants

1975

Director

Jerry Takes A Back Seat, Then Passes Out Of The Picture

Jerry Takes A Back Seat, Then Passes Out Of The Picture

1975

Director

Changing Azazel

Changing Azazel

1973

Director

8.5
Binghamton, My India

Binghamton, My India

1970

Director

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son

Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son

1969

Director

6.0
Nissan Ariana Window

Nissan Ariana Window

1969

Director

Globe

Globe

1969

Director

6.0
The Sky Socialist

The Sky Socialist

1968

Director

Soft Rain

Soft Rain

1968

Director

For Life, Against the War

For Life, Against the War

1967

Director

6.0
Airshaft

Airshaft

1967

Director

Lisa and Joey in Connecticut

Lisa and Joey in Connecticut

1965

Director

Naomi Is A Dream of Loveliness

Naomi Is A Dream of Loveliness

1965

Director

We Stole Away

We Stole Away

1964

Director

Winter Sky

Winter Sky

1964

Director

The Winter Footage

The Winter Footage

1964

Director

1st Window

1st Window

1964

Director

Window

Window

1964

Cinematography

4.5
Window

Window

1964

Director

4.5
Window

Window

1964

Editor

4.5
Window

Window

1964

Producer

4.5
Artie and Marty Rosenblatt’s Baby Pictures

Artie and Marty Rosenblatt’s Baby Pictures

1964

Director

TV Plug

TV Plug

1963

Director

Blonde Cobra

Blonde Cobra

1963

Director

2.7
Little Stabs at Happiness

Little Stabs at Happiness

1963

Director

5.6
Baud'larian Capers

Baud'larian Capers

1962

Director

The Death of P'town

The Death of P'town

1961

Director

The Whirled

The Whirled

1961

Director

Little Cobra Dance

Little Cobra Dance

1956

Director

Saturday Afternoon Blood Sacrifice

Saturday Afternoon Blood Sacrifice

1956

Director

Orchard Street

Orchard Street

1955

Director

6.8