Neo-Typesetters Documentary Celebrates Camp Kieve's Print Shop Legacy
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Camp Kieve, Maine Public Television is showcasing 'Neo-Typesetters,' a celebrated short documentary by Kieran Sheikh Blunnie. This film delves into the camp's commitment to preserving typesetting as an art and highlights its historic print shop, established in the 1970s by Howard Bliss. Blunnie, who was a camper from 2012 to 2019 and later a staff member, taught children aged 8 to 17 the art of typesetting. Awarded Best Documentary Short at the 2025 New York Documentary Film Festival, it is now available for national streaming on PBS. Blunnie views the film as a tribute to a craft he cherished for ten years, emphasizing the process while intentionally omitting faces to enhance viewer engagement. He remains active at Kieve and is exploring future projects.
Key facts
- Maine Public Television is airing 'Neo-Typesetters' to celebrate Camp Kieve's 100th anniversary.
- The documentary short was directed by Kieran Sheikh Blunnie, a former camper (2012–2019) and staff member.
- Camp Kieve's print shop was founded in the 1970s by Howard Bliss.
- The film won Best Documentary Short at the New York Documentary Film Festival 2025.
- It is currently streaming nationally on PBS.
- Blunnie taught printing to children ages 8–17 at the camp.
- The print shop building is old and needs to be torn down and replaced.
- Blunnie describes 'Neo-Typesetters' as a new generation of printers who treat typesetting as an art form.
Entities
Artists
- Kieran Sheikh Blunnie
- Howard Bliss
- Gabriella
Institutions
- Camp Kieve
- Maine Public Television
- PBS
- New York Documentary Film Festival
- Greenwich Country Day School
- PRINT Magazine
Locations
- Maine
- New York
- Upstate New York