Best Canadian Animated Short nominees warm hearts in every way possible at 2021 UWPG Film Festival
Fire, fun, fur, and flirting on display with Canadian animated talent
Jason Pchajek, staff writer
The final awards category shows off in spades the ability for animated films to touch our hearts and remind us of the boundless simplicity of childhood. Almost everyone grew up watching animated films and has a favourite that they can belt out songs from during any party or karaoke night.
With this crop of award nominated films, the future is safe for the medium.
Big Little Show
There just had to be a musical in here somewhere, right?
Following the long tradition of animated musical films centred around a hopeful protagonist persevering, and challenging the systems that hold them down, comes Gemma Eva’s Big Little Show. Also, a nominee for Best Canadian Short, this whimsical animated affair follows a bright-eyed young playwright who thinks she’s got the next big thing.
Yet the powers that be do not see it that way. Watch and listen, as this young artist does not take rejection laying down – with some witty digs at the entertainment establishment to boot – and takes the show into her own hands.
Dust
How did a Pixar short get into the program?
Oh…it’s not? Well, could’ve fooled me.
Simon Badejdi and Gianni Pampagnin have outdone themselves with Dust. Meticulously recreating a kitchen, with excruciating detail on every cereal box, appliance, surface, and utensil on display. Watch as a little dust bunny drops in to discover the fun, but dangerous world of the modern kitchen.
It’s light, breezy, short, and beautifully animated. Dust is likely to be an audience favourite.
Also who knew a Roomba could be so scary?
Fuelled
This film was a team effort, and it was worth every bit of time and energy spent on it.
When Fuelled was screened during the festival livestream, the reaction was resoundingly positive. An instant hit with those watching live, and has made waves everywhere it has been shown. The animation is crisp, each frame brilliantly crafted, and with a story that will seize your heart in its grasp and never let go, the team behind Fuelled has something brilliant going together.
It feels like a 9-minute chunk cut out of a larger work. One that I would love to see. Yet all alone, it does everything it needs to.
Brilliant.
Dracudate
Bravo to Rhael McGregor, because your film is just wonderful.
Reminding you of an animated series you’d watch every weekend on television, with smooth animation, a perfectly chosen colour palette, adorably designed characters, and a well paced story, Dracudate has to be a frontrunner for the award. The only way to describe this film is adorable.
You’ll love every second of the 4-minute 11-second runtime, trust me. Another fan favourite when it was screened earlier this week, it shows the future of Canadian animation is bright.
CooPURRation
Ok, hear me out. Remember those PSA’s that used to play when we were kids? The ones with the wild animation, about recycling, or playing safe, or not eating something you find on the ground, or that one with the robot who gets their arm cut off?
Oh, awesome, you know what I’m talking about.
Well, that’s what I think about when see this film. It sticks with you, it’s fun, it’s simple, short, and well done. A finalist and winner of multiple awards already, Sarah Cartlidge’s film is a great time.
It’ll also remind you to keep an eye on your cat.
What are you doing? Go look for them!
BURR
The shortest film among the nominees, Thomas Boyce’s BURR takes a hilarious spin on the sticky, pointy, never-get-them-off little fruits – yes, they’re actually seeds and fruits depending on the plant they grow from – we all track at least six of into the house every fall.
Somehow Boyce made burrs cute, and I thank him for that. So, what if burrs didn’t stick to you accidentally? Maybe all they want is to give you a little hug! Well, that’s the world of Burr.