diff --git a/pims/api.py b/pims/api.py
index 0da4792a..c08cf216 100644
--- a/pims/api.py
+++ b/pims/api.py
@@ -162,13 +162,19 @@ def open(sequence, **kwargs):
     >>> frame_count = len(video) # Number of frames in video
     >>> frame_shape = video.frame_shape # Pixel dimensions of video
     """
-    files = glob.glob(sequence)
+    if not isinstance(sequence, list):
+        sequence = [sequence]
+
+    files = []
+    for each_seq in sequence:
+        files.extend(glob.glob(each_seq))
+
     if len(files) > 1:
         # todo: test if ImageSequence can read the image type,
         #       delegate to subclasses as needed
-        return ImageSequence(sequence, **kwargs)
+        return ImageSequence(files, **kwargs)
 
-    _, ext = os.path.splitext(sequence)
+    _, ext = os.path.splitext(files[0])
     if ext is None or len(ext) < 2:
         raise UnknownFormatError(
             "Could not detect your file type because it did not have an "
@@ -201,7 +207,7 @@ def priority(cls):
     exceptions = ''
     for handler in sort_on_priority(eligible_handlers):
         try:
-            return handler(sequence, **kwargs)
+            return handler(files[0], **kwargs)
         except Exception as e:
             message = '{0} errored: {1}'.format(str(handler), str(e))
             warn(message)