A smiling man with dark, curly hair wearing glasses, a white shirt, a patterned tie, and a dark jacket.

THE FILMMAKER

Kieran Sheikh Blunnie is a political communications strategist who leverages his expertise in the full suite of film and video production to launch candidates, campaigns and causes and shaping their image and narrative to increase their day to day expose. He served as a delegate to the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of Mediators Beyond Borders International, previously hosted Film Sessions—a show and podcast on iHeartRadio, interviewing and elevating content creators and filmmakers from around the world— and delivered a keynote speech at his alma mater on the history, development, and political impact of mass communication in the Western world.

Neo-Typesetters is Kieran’s debut short documentary film, and his love letter to the letterpress process that he has loved and dedicated the last decade of my life to. The film awarded him Honors in Film & Media from Colgate University before winning Best Short Documentary at the New York Documentary Film Festival and being selected at the Indy Film Fest, the Columbus International Film Festival & Animation Festival, the Maine International Film Festival, the Aster Film Festival, Binghamton SEFF, and New Filmmakers New York. There was no budget for this film. In total Kieran spent $197.73 covering transportation cost, and the heavily discounted equipment rental cost that came as a result of my student status and employment at the University ITS Department.



THE PRINTER

Neo-Typesetters features Howard Bliss. The founder and long-time steward of the Kieve Print Shop, in the short time Kieran got to share with Howard, he was incredibly generous with his knowledge, became a mentor, and a true friend. His dedication to letterpress exposed an entire generation to the medium and gave countless kids—like Kieran—a home and community that will live on for generations. So many printers around the country and the world exist because of him, this film exists because of him. Now, Neo-Typesetters continues to exist to honor him. Thank you, Howard.

A young woman with dark curly hair and hoop earrings, smiling, sitting in a workshop or studio with woodworking tools and supplies in the background. She is speaking into a microphone.
A smiling elderly man with white hair and a blue fleece jacket sitting on a plaid armchair, with text honoring Howard Bliss, 1931-2025, in loving memory.

THE ARTIST

Featured in Neo-Typesetters, Gabriella Amato is an artist, printer, educator, and graduate from Colgate University having studied Biology and Museum Studies. She recently presented her research, the Dietary Analysis of Predatory Hammerhead Flatworms (Bipalium adventium) in their Invasive Range Using DNA Barcodes, at the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History. She continues to print, primarily for herself, honing her craft as she continues to pursue her passions.