Asia is the largest continent on the planet. It’s home to more than half the world’s total population and a multiplicity of nations and cultures. Over the past two centuries, and for social, political or historical reasons, countries throughout both American continents—including Canada—have become home to millions of Asian people who’ve made and continue to make huge contributions to their adopted societies. May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, an opportunity for us all to reflect on and celebrate the countless ways Asian Canadians have shaped our country, in myriad fields, from the sciences ..read more

This week’s NFB.ca debut of the documentary Evan’s Drum (2021), by Inuk filmmaker Ossie Michelin, provides an opportunity to give an overview of Inuit cinema at the NFB. But before we get into the first of these films, shot in the 1970s, we need to step back and take a look at the three previous decades, so we can better understand the context in which those first films were made. Myths and stereotypes The people and landscapes of the Far North had fascinated settlers since the arrival of Europeans in North America in the 16th century. The Arctic was always depicted as an almost mythical place ..read more

Although I didn’t know it at the time, I remember clearly the moment the idea for The Storm took root. A woman had come to the hospital in labour, her partner at her side, and together with her nurse, we all guided the baby safely into the world. A practising family physician and poet, Monica Kidd grew up in the farming town of Elnora, Alberta. She has authored seven books of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. With The Storm, now available for free online, she makes her directorial debut. As usual, there had been moments of deep calm, gratitude, trust in the process; there had also been moments ..read more

A spirit of pure invention informs the latest edition of Hothouse which got underway on November 15. That’s when the National Film Board opened the doors of its famous animation studios, now housed in new headquarters in downtown Montreal, to six young animation artists from across Canada. “This is our first Hothouse since the ‘before times’ and we want to strike an upbeat note,” says Maral Mohammadian, producer of this 13th edition. “Given the strange pandemic times we’ve all been living through, we want this edition to be fun. The focus is on discovering talent, offering young animators the ..read more

From its creation in 1939 all the way through to the 1980s, the National Film Board of Canada was mandated to produce films for all federal government departments and agencies. These sponsored films were made according to the needs of the agency or department, to be shown in a variety of places. In many cases, humour was used to help convey a message. As we’ve arrived at another International Animation Day, I thought I’d introduce you to two sponsored animated shorts from the 1950s that are brilliantly made, and hilarious to boot. Fish Spoilage Control was made for the Department of Fisheries ..read more

ONFB XP is an exciting new incubator at the National Film Board designed for animators to test out new ideas and find technology solutions for animation problems. As Michael Fukushima, former Executive Producer of the Animation Studio, described it: “It’s a technology playground for animation ideas.” We’re pleased to present the participants who joined ONFB XP this year: PARISSA MOHIT Mohit is a Montreal-based filmmaker, animator and co-founder of the animation collective Astroplastique. She applies a vast array of techniques to her creations, ranging from drawings and constructed sets to foun ..read more

I have always been fascinated with Greek mythology. I’m especially fascinated by the movie versions of these incredible tales (Clash of the Titans is a personal favourite). While most Greek mythology has come down in the form of epic poems, it was motion pictures that brought to life these fantastic stories filled with deities, heroes and mythological creatures.    For International Animation Day, I thought I’d try something different this year. I will take a l ..read more

Shannon was made to feel uncomfortable for being gay. This film is going to make you feel uncomfortable, but that’s why her story is so important. I hope that when watching this film, people will reflect on the fact that their actions, words, and acceptance can have a profound impact on someone else’s mental health—how they feel, how they think, and even how they view themselves. This film is a reflection of Shannon and her art and internal struggle; it explores ideas that those outside of the LGBTQIA2+ community may not have previously thought about, especially the mindset of some that being ..read more

An internationalist impulse has fuelled NFB animation from the get-go, instilled at the outset by Norman McLaren, the cosmopolitan and wildly inventive young Scot who founded the tradition back in 1941. Eight decades down the road, as Canada’s public producer enters its ninth decade, McLaren’s legacy is as vital as ever, with no fewer than seven international co-productions in the works across the two animation studios. The current slate includes projects with co-producers in France, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Denmark, Hungary and the UK, and features work from top tier talent from across the ..read more

As the country and the world face the historic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, production is now under way at the NFB on The Curve, a collection of approximately 30 projects by more than 40 Canadian creators that will give voice to those touched by the pandemic, in communities from west to east and far into the North. Launching this summer, The Curve will explore and share the everyday ups and downs of ordinary Canadians navigating their way through the pandemic, expressed in animation, documentary and digital storytelling formats. The projects will cover a diverse range of topics: how th ..read more