For over two decades, Hothouse has been a launchpad for Canada’s boldest new animation voices. This year, six outstanding animation filmmakers were selected from 241 applicants in this highly competitive, cross-country emerging filmmaker program.
Working out of Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, they were given only 12 weeks to each create a one-minute film on the theme “People Watching.” Eclectic and diverse in technique, point of view and subject matter, each film explores the quirks, mysteries and beauty of human connections through a unique approach to animation.
The filmmakers were supported by Mentoring Director Lillian Chan, Associate Producer Fred Casia, producer Maral Mohammadian, a professional crew and the specialized team of the NFB English Animation Unit.
Watch the films with behind-the-scenes extras on NFB.ca
Click on the images below for press kits:
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About the Hothouse program
Hothouse is a mentorship program for emerging Canadian animation filmmakers. It was created in 2003 by NFB Animation Studio Producer Michael Fukushima and Executive Producer David Verrall to nurture new talent. Participants work alongside industry leaders, gaining real-world experience.
They have only 12 weeks to craft an original one-minute film. But it’s not just about speed. It’s about helping the next generation of storytellers find inventive ways of using animation while maintaining the creative and technical hallmarks of NFB animation.
Hothouse is not a funding program, nor is it a school. It is a mentorship in real-world animation filmmaking, with the NFB serving as both producer and distributor.
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About the NFB
Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.