"Like misfit toys Canadian independent animators have been largely overlooked and unappreciated by the animation community.  Canadian animation today is typically associated with either the short films of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) or original TV productions of Nelvana and Cookie Jar (formerly Cinar), Cuppa Coffee and other assorted animation studios. Both have relatively easy access to something the independents don't: an audience. As a result the work of the Canadian Indepdent animation community gets lost in the shuffle.

Most of these artists fund their films with a big chunk of change from their own pockets, but, in general, Canada is generous with its artists.  The Canada Council and various provincial Arts Councils have played a vital role in nurturing independent production. 

Many of these independent films are just as worthy as, for example, any NFB production, but because the NFB has a huge marketing and distribution office with ample resources, their films reach many more festivals than you average independent film. Indies are forced to be more selective about the festivals they submit too and, naturally, there's not guarantee that their films will even be taken.  as such, their opportunities for exposure are severely limited by comparison.  And until North America 's two animation television channels show a willingness to showcase festival-type short films, the possibilities will remain limited for the short filmmaker.

The films in this program reflect the  ever evolving and always diverse perspective of Canadian animators including new work from established animators Marv Newland and Rick Raxlen and emerging new faces such as Kevin Kurytnik, Brigitte Archambault, Theodore Ushev and Firas Momani."

Andre Coutu

CONTEMPORARY CANADIAN ANIMATION

1. The Ballad of Sheep 13
Kyle McQueen / 2005 / 3:00

2. Bill the Barber
Firas Momani / 2004 / 3:50

3. Mute and Molt
Brigitte Archambault / 2005 / 5:42

4. Rude Roll
Rick Raxlen / 2001 / 4:30

5. Surly Squirrel
Peter Lepeniotis / 2005 / 11:00

6. Abandon Bob Hope All Ye Who Enter Here
Kevin Kurytbik / 1997 / 7:00

7. Otava 04 Signal Film " Animators in a Pouch"
Eric Barbeau & Théodore Ushev / 2004 / 0:50

8. A Half Man
Firas Momani / 2005 / 5:07

9. Cinerama 199X
Percy Fuentes / 2004 / 2:10

10. Mr. Reaper's Really Bad Morning
Kevin Kurytnik and Carol Beecher /2004 / 16:41

11. I Like Pandas
Jessica Borutski / 2005 / 2:54

12. Pourquoi Moi?
Dominic Etienne Simard / 2003 / 3:35