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Reverie Cineclub Presents: Hubley Hash + Music with trumpeter Olivia Cuttill (PG*)

Family Film Club

,Cinema 2
Illustrated, a man and a woman in fancy dress move jauntily as though walking.

A programme of short films from visionary animators John and Faith Hubley alongside a visit from jazz trumpeter Olivia Cuttill, complementing the EFG London Jazz Festival taking place across the city.

We’re thrilled to partner with Nathasha Orlando Kappler of Reverie Cineclub for this programme of short films from this pioneering animation couple, exploring the experimental, jazz-influenced style they developed as they moved away from the Hollywood mainstream.

Faith began her career as a script clerk at Columbia, while John was a Disney and UPA cartoonist and union activist blacklisted in Hollywood. Painterly, abstract and rhythmic, the Hubleys developed a distinctive style, including improvised dialogue by their children and collaborations with legendary music artists Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Carter.

Between films, we’ll host an interactive presentation on the Hubleys’ Oscar-winning work, and a performance from jazz trumpeter Olivia Cuttill. Come along for a morning that will get your little ones bouncing to the beat!

Tagged with: Cinema family film club

Age suggestion: 7+

Approx event runtime: 75min

Content Advice: these films were made in the 1950-60s and contain some stereotypes of the time and depictions of smoking.

This programme has locally been classified as a PG – but assessing suitability of any film is the responsibility of parent/guardian. Please see www.bbfc.co.uk for more information on film ratings and content guidelines. Please check the BBFC website for rating advice or if you would like a more nuanced description of the film content in this even, please email [email protected] at least 5 days in advance of the screening.

Please note: This screening is for families to attend as a group. Adults (over 18s) can only enter the auditorium if they are bringing a child. Children (under 18s) can only attend if accompanied by an adult. Babes in arms of 18 months and under can be brought in on adults’ laps, but children over 18 months need a seat purchased for them.

Films and archive images courtesy of Emily Hubley and Park Circus.

For more information on Olivia Cuttill, please visit her official website and Instagram page.

Film information
  • Release year   Various
  • Country of origin   USA
  • Director   John and Faith Hubley
  • Runtime   Approx. 75 mins

Ticket prices

Partner
In black text on a white background, in all capital letters with a slight wave to the alignment, the text reads REVERIE CINECLUB.

Film Programme

Moonbird 
dirs John Hubley and Faith Hubley, United States, 1959, 10 mins
Featuring the improvised dialogue of children Mark and Ray Hubley, this Academy Award-winning short follows two young brothers in their magical adventure to hunt an imaginary bird.

 

A Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass Double Feature
dirs John Hubley and Faith Hubley, United States, 1966, 5 mins
In many ways a prototype music video, this second Academy Award-winning short animates the songs “Spanish Flea” and “Tijuana Taxi” from the Latin-inspired brass ensemble.

 

Urbanissimo
dirs John Hubley and Faith Hubley, United States, 1967, 6 mins
A renegade walking city pollutes everything in its path in this jazzy allegory set to the music of Benny Carter.

Date with Dizzy
dirs John Hubley and Faith Hubley, United States, 1956, 11 mins
In this charming live action and animation hybrid, jazz great Dizzy Gillespie is hired to record the soundtrack for a television commercial, but the music has a mind of its own.

 

The Tender Game
dirs John Hubley and Faith Hubley, United States, 1958, 6 mins
Inspired by the song “Tenderly” by Jack Lawrence and Walter Gross, this dreamy animation follows the blossoming romance between a florist and a street sweeper, performed by Ella Fitzgerald and the Oscar Peterson Trio.

 

Rooty Toot Toot
dir John Hubley, United States, 1951, 8 mins
Set to a riotous score by Phil Moore and Allen Alch, and based on the song "Frankie and Johnny," this courtroom operetta follows a woman caught between passion and betrayal, in one of John Hubley’s final productions with the UPA.

Useful Information

Start times: Our Family Film Club screenings are shown without ads, so the film will start just after 11am. Please make sure to turn up on time so you don’t miss the start! 

Catering Deal: Look out for our special catering offer exclusively for our FFC audience: a kid’s lemonade + popcorn for £5, order and pay at the Cinema café.

Loyalty Scheme: 
On your third visit get a kids ticket for free.
On your sixth visit get an adult ticket for free.

This discount will automatically be added when you book tickets through your Barbican account.

Got stamps left over from last year? 

From Sat 17 Jan-Sat 17 Apr 2026 take your Loyalty Card to box office to redeem your free visit. 

Pick up one of our Kids' Loyalty Cards to get a free popcorn with your sixth stamp!*
* U18s can redeem a free popcorn from the Cinema Café. Subject to availability. 

Café Games/Books: from 10.30am we’ll set out a selection of books, games and colouring for families to read/play with and they’ll be available after the screening as well.

Parent & Baby Screenings: If you’ve got an under 12 month old, we also host our very popular Parent and Baby screenings on a Saturday morning too.

Prams and buggies: we have limited space and are unable to accommodate prams and buggies in the auditorium at Family Film Club screenings. Prams and buggies must be left outside the auditorium (at owners’ own risk). 

Please note: FFC screenings are designed for families to attend together so adults can only come if they’re bringing a child, and children can only come along if accompanied by an adult. We are able to accommodate ‘babes in arms’ at FFC screenings for children of 18 months and under. Any child over 18 months must have a seat purchased for them.

Book early to avoid disappointment. 

Cinema 2

Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue. 

Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.