A Brief History of the NFB at the Cannes Film Festival
Animation, Documentary, Films
Cannes is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. We've been fortunate enough to have our films selected at Cannes, and this year is no exception. Matthew Rankin's The Tesla World Light is in Official Competition in the Semaine de la critique section. You can watch the electrifying trailer below.
The Tesla World Light, Matthew Rankin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
With the 2017 festival coming to a close this Sunday, enjoy a list of 10 NFB films that have crossed the Croissette and taken home one of Cannes's most esteemed prizes.
1953 – The Romance of Transportation in Canada
Animation Award (Short film)
Learn about how Canada's vast distances and great obstacles were overcome by settlers with this tongue-in-cheek animated short.
The Romance of Transportation in Canada, Colin Low, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
1955 – Blinkity Blank
Palme d'Or (Short film)
Discover this playful experimental short in which shapes engraved on blank film create vivid, percussive effects.
Blinkity Blank , Norman McLaren, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
1973 – Balablok
International Grand Prize (Short film)
This short offers a fresh perspective on discrimination and racism and the attitudes responsible for many modern conflicts.
Balablok, Bretislav Pojar, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
1974 – Hunger
Special Jury Prize (Short film)
Reflect on the contrast between abundance and want with this quirky Oscar®-nominated short that was one of the first-ever films to use computer animation.
Hunger, Peter Foldès, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
1977 – J.A. Martin Photographer
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and Best Women's Interpretation Award
Enjoy this feature drama about a woman who decides to join her traveling-photographer husband on one of his summer trips in turn-of-the-century Canada.
J.A. Martin Photographer, Jean Beaudin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
1980 – Canada Vignettes: The Performer
Listen as tenor Roger Doucet sings the Canadian national anthem before a hockey game in the Montreal Forum.
Canada Vignettes: The Performer , Norma Bailey, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
1999 – When the Day Breaks
In our fast-paced, isolated urban existence, this Oscar®-nominated animated short about a pig who witnesses an accidental death shows how we can find affirmation in the most surprising places.
When the Day Breaks, Wendy Tilby & Amanda Forbis, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
2004 – Ryan
Canal+ Grand Prize (Short film) and Kodak Discovery Prize (Short film) and (Toute) Jeune Critique Award
Dive deep into influential Canadian animator Ryan Larkin's life, art, and personal struggles with this riveting Oscar®-winning animated short.
Ryan , Chris Landreth, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
2007 – Madame Tutli-Putli
Petit Rail d'Or (Short film) and Canal+ Grand Prize (Short film)
Watch this Oscar®-nominated stop-motion short about a woman who faces the kindness and menace of strangers as well as some old demons of her own during a long night aboard the night train.
Madame Tutli-Putli , Chris Lavis & Maciek Szczerbowski, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
2008 – Runaway
Petit Rail d'Or (Short film)
Join a train full of passengers as they celebrate and make merry, all the while ignorant of the fate that awaits them just around the bend.
Runaway, Cordell Barker, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
Amanda Forbis | Balablok | Blinkity Blank | Bretislav Pojar | Canada Vignettes: The Performer | Cannes Film Festival | Chris Landreth | Chris Lavis | Colin Low | Cordell Barker | Hunger | J.A. Martin Photographer | Jean Beaudin | Maciek Szczerbowski | Madame Tutli-Putli | Matthew Rankin | Norma Bailey | Norman McLaren | Peter Foldès | runaway | Ryan | The Romance of Transportation in Canada | The Tesla World Light | Wendy Tibly | When The Day Breaks
My favourite, the man who planed trees – longer but incredibly brilliant artistry
— Maggie Keates, May 31, 2017
Wendy Tilby is a genius!!!!
— Jane Brett, May 26, 2017
— Judy Schachter, May 25, 2017
Zagreb Film and the NFB: A 50-Year-Old Gem Gets Its Online Premiere | Curator's Perspective
This instalment of Curator's Perspective reviews 12 NFB dystopian and absurdist films made...
Curator's Perspective | December 18, 2022
The Lady and the Owl: Rehabilitating Injured Birds | Curator's Perspective
The 1975 National Film Board documentary The Lady and the Owl highlights a retired couple...
Curator's Perspective, Documentary | April 19, 2022
Little Gems: The Sponsored Animated Film | Curator's Perspective
Two hilarious, short, animated films from the 1950s produced at the National Film Board are...
Animation, Curator's Perspective | October 26, 2021