files/pictures/picture-35.jpgNFB will be hosting its second annual “Animation Hothouse,” designed to help nurture the talents of emerging animators. Six promising filmmakers from across Canada will be given 12 weeks to create extremely short animation, from concept to release, with the full support and assistance of NFB creative experts at the NFB’s English Animation Studio. This year’s Hothousers are Marielle Guyot and Thea Pratt, Montreal; Kevin Langdale, Vancouver; Amy Lockhart, Vancouver; Megann Reid, Calgary; and Howie Shia, Toronto. The project began on Nov. 3, 2003 in Montreal.
Janet Perlman, this year’s mentoring director, has made independent short films, commercials and educational productions, including the NFB titles WHY ME?, THE TENDER TALE OF CINDERELLA PENGUIN, DINNER FOR TWO and BULLY DANCE. Her work has won many international prizes, including an Academy Award nomination. She has taught animation at Harvard University and at the Rhode Island School of Design, and has written and illustrated children's books, including the upcoming THE PENGUIN AND THE PEA. Her production company, Hulascope Studio, was formed with partner Judith Gruber-Stitzer.
Michael Fukushima, this year’s mentoring producer, was an independent filmmaker, then NFB director for 14 years before becoming an NFB producer in 1997, with stints teaching animation production at Concordia University. He has produced the films UNDERSTANDING THE LAW, LOON DREAMING and SHOWA SHINZAN. His Internet projects include THE CYBER-TERRORISM CRISIS and NFBWEBWORKS.
Since its creation in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada has produced more than 10,000 films and other audiovisual works, and won 4,000+ awards - including 10 Oscars. As Canada’s public film producer, the NFB produces and distributes distinctive, culturally diverse, challenging and relevant audiovisual works that provide Canada and the world with a unique Canadian perspective. For more info, visit
www.nfb.ca .
