Nina Paley
Actor & Director
About Nina Paley
Nina Paley is an American cartoonist, animator, and filmmaker known for her innovative animated works and advocacy for free culture. Born in 1968, she began her career creating comic strips before transitioning to animation. Her breakthrough came with 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008), an animated feature that blended multiple animation styles to retell the Ramayana from Sita's perspective, set to 1920s jazz vocals of Annette Hanshaw. The film gained international attention but also sparked copyright controversies that led Paley to become a vocal advocate for copyright reform. She followed this success with 'Seder-Masochism' (2018), an animated exploration of Passover and Exodus themes. Throughout her career, Paley has been a pioneer in independent animation, utilizing digital tools and embracing open-source distribution methods. Her work combines personal storytelling with cultural commentary, often focusing on themes of mythology, religion, and women's perspectives.
The Craft
Behind the Camera
Experimental animation combining multiple techniques including Flash animation, traditional hand-drawn elements, and collage. Her directing approach incorporates musical interludes, mythological themes, and feminist perspectives. She often uses humor and satire to explore serious cultural and religious topics.
Milestones
- Creation of 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008)
- Copyright activism and free culture advocacy
- Founding of QuestionCopyright.org
- Release of 'Seder-Masochism' (2018)
- Pioneering independent animation distribution
- Creation of the 'Copying is Not Theft' short film
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Best Animated Feature - Athens International Film Festival (2009) for 'Sita Sings the Blues'
- Excellence in Animation - RiverRun International Film Festival (2009)
- Audience Award - Annecy International Animated Film Festival (2008)
Nominated
- Grand Jury Prize - Sundance Film Festival (2009) for 'Sita Sings the Blues'
- Best Documentary - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (2008)
Special Recognition
- Free Software Foundation Award for Projects of Social Benefit (2010)
- EFF Pioneer Award nomination (2010)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Nina Paley revolutionized independent animation distribution by releasing 'Sita Sings the Blues' under a Creative Commons license, making it freely available and encouraging remix culture. Her copyright activism sparked important conversations about intellectual property in the digital age. She demonstrated that independent artists could reach global audiences without traditional distribution channels. Her work brought attention to women's perspectives in mythology and religious narratives. Paley's advocacy for free sharing has influenced how many artists approach copyright and distribution in the 21st century.
Lasting Legacy
Nina Paley's legacy lies in her dual impact as both an innovative animator and a copyright reform advocate. She proved that independent animation could achieve critical and commercial success outside the studio system. Her decision to release her work under free licenses has created a lasting model for artists seeking broader distribution and cultural impact. The ongoing availability and remixability of 'Sita Sings the Blues' continues to inspire new generations of animators and filmmakers. Her work at QuestionCopyright.org continues to educate artists and audiences about intellectual property issues.
Who They Inspired
Paley has influenced independent animators to embrace digital tools and alternative distribution methods. Her success with free licensing has encouraged other artists to experiment with open-source approaches to creative work. She has inspired discussions about copyright reform in artistic communities worldwide. Her blending of personal narrative with mythology has influenced how animators approach autobiographical and cultural storytelling. Her technical innovations in Flash animation and digital collage techniques have been adopted by many independent animators.
Off Screen
Nina Paley has been open about her personal experiences influencing her work, particularly her divorce which inspired aspects of 'Sita Sings the Blues'. She is married to Theodore Gray, co-founder of Wolfram Research. Paley is an outspoken advocate for intellectual property reform and has become a prominent voice in the free culture movement. She lives in New York and continues to create independent animated works while teaching and speaking about copyright issues.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Art - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1991)
Family
- Theodore Gray
Did You Know?
- Initially trained as a classical musician before switching to art
- Created the syndicated comic strip 'Nina's Adventures' in the 1990s
- The copyright battle over 'Sita Sings the Blues' took over 5 years to resolve
- Her film cost only $200,000 to make but generated millions in legal fees
- She animated 'Sita Sings the Blues' mostly alone using Flash software
- The film features four distinct animation styles
- Paley learned Sanskrit to better understand the Ramayana source material
- She has given TED talks about copyright and creativity
- Her work is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art
- She founded the nonprofit organization QuestionCopyright.org in 2008
In Their Own Words
Copying is not theft. Stealing a thing leaves one less left. Copying it makes one more left; that's what copying's for.
I'm not against copyright; I'm against the absurd extensions and restrictions that prevent culture from being shared.
The more you share, the more you have.
Culture is a conversation, and copyright is trying to turn it into a lecture.
Free culture isn't about getting stuff for free; it's about freedom to create and share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nina Paley?
Nina Paley is an American animator, cartoonist, and free culture activist known for her independent animated films, particularly 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008). She has become a prominent voice in copyright reform and advocates for open sharing of creative works through her organization QuestionCopyright.org.
What films is Nina Paley best known for?
Nina Paley is best known for 'Sita Sings the Blues' (2008), an animated retelling of the Ramayana set to 1920s jazz, and 'Seder-Masochism' (2018), which explores themes from the Book of Exodus. Both films showcase her distinctive animation style and cultural commentary.
When was Nina Paley born?
Nina Paley was born on May 3, 1968, in Urbana, Illinois. She is still alive and actively creating animated works and advocating for copyright reform.
What awards did Nina Paley win?
Nina Paley has won several awards including Best Animated Feature at the Athens International Film Festival, Excellence in Animation at RiverRun International Film Festival, and the Audience Award at Annecy International Animated Film Festival, all for 'Sita Sings the Blues' in 2008-2009.
What is Nina Paley's animation style?
Nina Paley's animation style is experimental and eclectic, combining Flash animation, traditional hand-drawn elements, and collage techniques. She often uses multiple visual styles within a single film and incorporates musical interludes with cultural and mythological themes.
Learn More
Films
2 films
