Biography
Timothy Quay was born in 1947 in Norristown, Pennsylvania, USA, as the identical twin of Stephen Quay. He studied at the Philadelphia College of Art and later at the Royal College of Art in London, where he began working with his brother in experimental animation. Timothy has directed and co-directed numerous short films, feature films, and stop-motion projects, including Nocturna Artificialia (1979), Street of Crocodiles (1986), Institute Benjamenta (1995), and The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes (2005). His work is distinguished by surreal, detailed atmospheres, frozen worlds, and objects full of history, with a constant collaboration alongside Stephen throughout his career.
Directed 43
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass
Director
- 2022
Ghosts and Whispers
Director
- 2021
11 Preliminary Orbits Around Planet Lem
Director
VadeMecum
Director
2010s
- 2019
The Doll's Breath
Director
- 2013
Unmistaken Hands: Ex Voto F.H.
Director
- 2011
Through the Weeping Glass: On the Consolations of Life Everlasting (Limbos & Afterbreezes in the Mütter Museum)
Director
- 2010
Wonderwood: Comme des garçons
Director
Maska
Director
2000s
- 2009
Kinoteka Ident
Director
- 2007
Eurydice: She, So Beloved
Director
Alice in Not So Wonderland
Director
Phantom Museums: The Short Films of the Quay Brothers
Director
- 2005
The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
Director
- 2004
Quay Brothers: The Short Films 1979-2003
Director
- 2003
The Phantom Museum: Random Forays Into the Vaults of Sir Henry Wellcome's Medical Collection
Director
Songs for Dead Children
Director
- 2001
Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse
Director
Stille Nacht V: Dog Door
Director
- 2000
The Sandman
Director
In Absentia
Director
The Brothers Quay Collection: Ten Astonishing Short Films 1984-1993
Director
1990s
- 1995
The Summit
Director
- 1993
Stille Nacht IV: Can't Go Wrong Without You
Director
Stille Nacht III: Tales from Vienna Woods
Director
Anamorphosis
Director
- 1992
Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married?
Director
- 1991
The Comb
Director
The Calligrapher
Director
1980s
- 1989
Ex Voto
Director
- 1988
Rain Dance
Director
Rehearsals for Extinct Anatomies
Director
Stille Nacht I: Dramolet
Director
- 1987
Tales of the Brothers Quay
Director
- 1986
Street of Crocodiles
Director
- 1985
This Unnameable Little Broom
Director
- 1984
The Cabinet of Jan Švankmajer
Director
The Cabinet of Jan Švankmajer: Prague's Alchemist of Film
Director
- 1981
Punch and Judy: Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy
Director
The Eternal Day of Michel de Ghelderode
Director
1970s
- 1979
Nocturna Artificialia
Director
Visual effects 15
2020s
- 2025
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass
Animation
- 2022
Ghosts and Whispers
Animation
2010s
- 2013
Unmistaken Hands: Ex Voto F.H.
Animation
- 2011
Through the Weeping Glass: On the Consolations of Life Everlasting (Limbos & Afterbreezes in the Mütter Museum)
Animation
2000s
- 2003
The Phantom Museum: Random Forays Into the Vaults of Sir Henry Wellcome's Medical Collection
Animation
- 2000
In Absentia
Animation
1990s
- 1993
Stille Nacht IV: Can't Go Wrong Without You
Animation
Stille Nacht III: Tales from Vienna Woods
Animation
Anamorphosis
Animation
- 1992
Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married?
Animation
- 1991
The Comb
Animation
The Calligrapher
Animation
1980s
- 1988
Rehearsals for Extinct Anatomies
Animation
- 1986
Street of Crocodiles
Animation
- 1981
Punch and Judy: Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy
Animation
Wrote 11
2020s
- 2025
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass
Screenplay
2010s
- 2013
Unmistaken Hands: Ex Voto F.H.
Writer
- 2010
Maska
Writer
2000s
- 2007
Alice in Not So Wonderland
Writer
- 2005
The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
Writer
- 2001
Stille Nacht V: Dog Door
Writer
1990s
- 1995
- 1991
The Comb
Writer
1980s
- 1986
Street of Crocodiles
Writer
- 1985
This Unnameable Little Broom
Writer
- 1981
The Eternal Day of Michel de Ghelderode
Writer
Camera 7
1990s
- 1993
Stille Nacht IV: Can't Go Wrong Without You
Camera Operator
Stille Nacht III: Tales from Vienna Woods
Camera Operator
Anamorphosis
Camera Operator
- 1992
Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married?
Camera Operator
- 1991
The Comb
Camera Operator
1980s
- 1985
This Unnameable Little Broom
Director of Photography
- 1984
The Cabinet of Jan Švankmajer
Director of Photography
Edited 6
2020s
- 2025
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass
Editor
2010s
- 2011
Through the Weeping Glass: On the Consolations of Life Everlasting (Limbos & Afterbreezes in the Mütter Museum)
Editor
2000s
- 2007
Eurydice: She, So Beloved
Editor
1990s
- 1993
Anamorphosis
Editor
- 1991
The Comb
Editor
1980s
- 1986
Street of Crocodiles
Editor
Art department 6
2000s
- 2007
Eurydice: She, So Beloved
Set Designer
- 2005
The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
Production Design
1990s
- 1993
Anamorphosis
Art Direction, Decorator
- 1991
The Comb
Art Direction
1980s
- 1988
Rehearsals for Extinct Anatomies
Decorator
- 1986
Street of Crocodiles
Production Design
Acted in 3
2010s
- 2015
The 1000 Eyes of Dr Maddin
Movie
2000s
- 2006
The Making of "The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes"
Movie
1980s
- 1982
The Falls
Pulat Fallari
Other crew 3
2000s
- 2007
Alice in Not So Wonderland
Cinematography
1980s
- 1988
Rehearsals for Extinct Anatomies
Cinematography
1970s
- 1979
Nocturna Artificialia
Cinematography
Sound 2
2020s
- 2025
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass
Sound
2010s
- 2011
Through the Weeping Glass: On the Consolations of Life Everlasting (Limbos & Afterbreezes in the Mütter Museum)
Sound
Appearances4
2010s
- 2015
Quay
Self
- 2011
Behind the Scenes with the Quay Brothers
Self
2000s
- 2009
The Art of Time
Self
The Bug Trainer
Self - stop-motion animator
Thanked in the credits1
2010s
- 2015
Quay
Thanks