Seton Hill University’s World Affairs Forum will host a screening of the short animation films “Ghosts Before Breakfast: Strange Animations,” “Dimensions of Dialogue,” and “The Meaning of Life” on Monday, November 16, from 7-9 p.m. in Reeves Theatre, which is located on Seton Hill University’s hilltop campus in Greensburg, Pa. Refreshments will be provided. This event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. For more information, call 724-830-1064.

“Ghosts Before Breakfast: Strange Animations” is a short animation directed by Hans Richter. It was released in Germany in the midst of World War II. Richter, who is recognized for his abstract shorts, has everyday objects rebelling against one another in “Ghosts Before Breakfast: Strange Animations.”

“Dimensions of Dialogue” was released in 1982 by Czech animated-film director, visual artist, and surrealist Jan Svankmajer. “Dimensions of Dialogue” won three major awards in 1983, the Grand Prix from the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the Golden Bear for Best Short Film, and the C.I.D.A.L.C. (Diffusion des Arts et des Lettres par le Cinéma) Award from the Berlin International Film Festival.

“The Meaning of Life” is an animated short film written and directed by Don Hertzfeldt in 2005. The 12 minute film is the result of four years of productions of hand animated drawings by Hertzfeldt. In 2005-06, the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and toured film and animation festivals. Hertzfeldt’s films feature hand-drawn stick figures acting out combinations of slapstick and absurd humor while heavier existential themes are present.

Seton Hill University Associate Professor of English Michael Arnzen, Ph.D. will discuss the films with the audience following the screening.

The mission of the World Affairs Forum at Seton Hill University is to help develop a community of informed citizens by bringing together people of diverse and independent voice, politic, belief, idea, ability, vocation, learning, philosophy, and action. The goal is to initiate, foster, and sustain a greater understanding of social, geopolitical, and cultural issues affecting our human condition, while encouraging individual and group action at all levels.