
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.
2026Postscriptum. Ruminations on My CraftMovieDirector
2025Sanatorium Under the Sign of the HourglassMovieScreenplay · Animation · Director · Editor · Sound
2022Ghosts and WhispersMovieDirector · Animation
202111 Preliminary Orbits Around Planet LemMovieDirector
2021VadeMecumMovieDirector
2019The Doll's BreathMovieDirector
2017The Music of Zdeněk LiškaMovieas Self
2015The 1000 Eyes of Dr MaddinMovie
2015QuayMovieas Self · Thanks
2013Unmistaken Hands: Ex Voto F.H.MovieAnimation · Writer · Director
2011Through the Weeping Glass: On the Consolations of Life Everlasting (Limbos & Afterbreezes in the Mütter Museum)MovieDirector · Sound · Animation · Editor
2011Behind the Scenes with the Quay BrothersMovieas Self
2010Wonderwood: Comme des garçonsMovieDirector
2010MaskaMovieDirector · Writer
2009The Art of TimeMovieas Self
2009Kinoteka IdentMovieDirector
2009The Bug TrainerMovieas Self - stop-motion animator
2009Inventorium of TracesMovieEditor · Director · Director of Photography · Sound Designer
2007Eurydice: She, So BelovedMovieSet Designer · Editor · Director
2007Alice in Not So WonderlandMovieDirector · Cinematography · Writer
2007Phantom Museums: The Short Films of the Quay BrothersMovieDirector
2006The Making of "The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes"Movie
2005The Piano Tuner of EarthquakesMovieDirector · Writer · Production Design
2004Quay Brothers: The Short Films 1979-2003MovieDirector
2003The Phantom Museum: Random Forays Into the Vaults of Sir Henry Wellcome's Medical CollectionMovieDirector · Animation
2003Songs for Dead ChildrenMovieDirector
2001Sonic Cinema: SparklehorseMovieDirector
2001Stille Nacht V: Dog DoorMovieDirector · Writer
2000The SandmanMovieDirector
2000In AbsentiaMovieDirector · Animation
2000The Brothers Quay Collection: Ten Astonishing Short Films 1984-1993MovieDirector
1995Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human LifeMovieDirector · Writer
1995The SummitMovieDirector
1993Stille Nacht IV: Can't Go Wrong Without YouMovieDirector · Camera Operator · Animation
1993Stille Nacht III: Tales from Vienna WoodsMovieDirector · Animation · Camera Operator
1993AnamorphosisMovieDirector · Art Direction · Editor · Camera Operator · Animation · Decorator
1992Stille Nacht II: Are We Still Married?MovieDirector · Animation · Camera Operator
1991The CombMovieDirector · Writer · Camera Operator · Art Direction · Editor · Animation
1991The CalligrapherMovieDirector · Animation
1989Ex VotoMovieDirector
1988Rain DanceMovieDirector
1988Stille Nacht I: DramoletMovieDirector
1988Rehearsals for Extinct AnatomiesMovieDirector · Cinematography · Animation · Decorator
1987Tales of the Brothers QuayMovieDirector
1986Street of CrocodilesMovieDirector · Editor · Animation · Writer · Production Design
1985This Unnameable Little BroomMovieDirector · Director of Photography · Writer
1984The Cabinet of Jan ŠvankmajerMovieDirector · Director of Photography
1984The Cabinet of Jan Švankmajer: Prague's Alchemist of FilmMovieDirector
1982The FallsMovieas Pulat Fallari
1981Punch and Judy: Tragical Comedy or Comical TragedyMovieDirector · Animation
1981The Eternal Day of Michel de GhelderodeMovieDirector · Writer
1979Nocturna ArtificialiaMovieDirector · Cinematography