The Secret of NIMH – Presented by C5: Carson City Classic Cinema Collective

There was a moment when artists inside the Disney machine decided they wanted more—more danger, more depth, more daring storytelling. They walked away from the kingdom and sparked a creative rivalry that would forever reshape animation history.

Join us for The Rise of the Rivals, an electrifying deep dive into the era when polished fairy tales met fast-talking anarchy and shadowy, emotionally complex storytelling.

We begin with A Wild Hare (1940) — the cartoon that officially introduced Bugs Bunny and cemented Warner Bros.’ sharp, irreverent style as a bold counterpoint to Disney’s sweetness.

Then experience the haunting masterpiece The Secret of NIMH (1982) — directed by former Disney animator Don Bluth, who set out to prove that animation could be visually lush, emotionally intense, and unapologetically mature. With its gothic atmosphere, layered themes, and breathtaking hand-drawn artistry, NIMH remains one of the most daring animated films ever put on screen.

This isn’t just a screening.
It’s a cinematic conversation.

After the film, stay for a guided talk-back exploring:

The animators who defected from Disney

How rivalry sharpened storytelling

Why NIMH still feels bold decades later

How rebellion fuels artistic evolution

If you love animation history, creative risk-taking, or simply seeing gorgeous hand-drawn art on the big screen the way it was meant to be seen—this night is for you.

Grab your seat.
Enter the shadows.
Witness the rebellion that changed animation forever.