The Mad World of Harvey Kurtzman

Learn more about the life of Harvey Kurtzman and his creation of MAD Magazine, one of the great untold stories in American and global cultural history.

Year: 2026

Director: Bart Simpson

Producer: Ina Fichman

Co-Producer: Aimara Reques

Executive Producer: Mark Thomas

Production Companies: Aconite Productions, Intuitive Pictures Productions

Screen Scotland support: The film accessed £99,300 through Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund


Synopsis

A vivid, immersive and visually striking portrait of a key contributor to the satirical Mad magazine and the publication’s far-reaching influence on culture. Rich in history, art, politics and thoughtful reflections from contributors including Terry Gilliam, the late Stan Lee and Robert Crumb, this is a compelling, insightful exploration of counterculture, commerce and creative compromise.

The documentary features contributions from: Harvey Kurtzman, Adele Kurtzman, Nellie Kurtzman, Terry Gilliam, Robert Crumb, Denis Kitchen, Al Jaffee, Sarah Downs and Jim Warren.


More information

Premiere: The film will have its World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) in August 2026.

Image credits: Still courtesy of EIFF