Tonic DNA and the National Film Board of Canada unveil poster and teaser for a new Canadian holiday classic from the creator of The Cat Came Back and Strange Invaders
November 12, 2026 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
Launching December 1 on NFB and Crave, exclusively for Canadian audiences, Cordell Barker’s The Anta Claus of the South Pole follows an unlikely hero who sets off on a penguin-powered quest for the perfect holiday from the South Pole to Santa’s Village.
This highly anticipated Canadian holiday special from the two-time Oscar-nominated animator (The Cat Came Back, Strange Invaders) gets its first reveal with an official poster and teaser trailer, offering audiences an early look at the film’s unique world and characters.
The title character is voiced in English by acclaimed Canadian actor Tyrone Benskin, who has more than 70 film and television credits and has contributed significantly to the Canadian and international cultural landscape for more than 25 years. In French, he’s voiced by comedian and actor Anthony Kavanagh, who has enjoyed great success in Quebec and Europe and also voices several supporting roles. The score is composed by celebrated Montreal musician Martin Léon, known for his work on My Salinger Year, The Good Lie and the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar.
With The Anta Claus, Montreal-based animation studio Tonic DNA and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) have joined forces for the first time to produce a film by Winnipeg’s Cordell Barker. While Cordell has worked closely with both organizations throughout his career, this marks the first time they have collaborated on one of his films, bringing together two leading animation studios recognized for their creative excellence and technical expertise.
Quote
“After two and a half decades in the animation biz, my desire to create a holiday film was rekindled. Just like my ‘Charlie Brown’ inspiration, I wanted to make a film for holiday misfits, and anyone who doesn’t quite fit the pictureperfect holidays. A story for those who see the holidays a little differently, with equal parts irreverence and charm.” – Cordell Barker
About the film
The Anta Claus of the South Pole by Cordell Barker (24 min)
Executive producers: Howard Huxham (Tonic DNA), Christine Noël (NFB)
Producers: Christine Noël (NFB), Jocelyne Perrier (NFB), Fanny Desseaux (Tonic DNA)
Produced in association with Crave, a division of Bell Media Inc., with the participation of the Canada Media Fund Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/the–anta–claus–of–the–south–pole
- Produced as a 24-minute TV special, The Anta Claus is designed for families and anyone who enjoys a fresh and imaginative take on the classic tale of Santa Claus.
- Envious of his famous northern counterpart, the Anta Claus of the South Pole sets off on an epic penguin-powered journey. Along the way, he meets a cast of lovable oddballs who may have a thing or two to teach him.
- The Anta Claus is being distributed by the NFB and has already been acquired in Canada by Bell Media for Crave. It is currently attracting interest from international distributors, sales agents and broadcasters.
About Cordell Barker
Cordell Barker is a two-time Oscar-nominated animator known for his long association with the NFB, where his films have earned over 50 international awards. He is best known for creating acclaimed animated shorts such as The Cat Came Back and Strange Invaders, which blend humour and heart and often feature ordinary characters in surreal situations. His films have become audience favourites, often garnering millions of views on the NFB website, YouTube channel and other international platforms (If I Was God has accumulated 22 million views on The New Yorker’s YouTube channel). In addition to his work with the NFB, Cordell has worked with Tonic DNA for more than 40 years, contributing to numerous national and international advertising and marketing campaigns.
About Tonic DNA
Tonic DNA is a world-class animation studio based in Montreal, Canada, specializing in high-end 2D animation, television series, feature films, commercials and original content development. Founded in 1983, the studio has built an international reputation for artistic excellence, premium craftsmanship and creative versatility across a wide range of animation techniques and styles. Tonic DNA has collaborated with leading global partners, including Disney, Warner Bros., Netflix, Apple TV+ and major international brands. The studio’s recent credits include Space Jam: A New Legacy, Disenchanted, Green Eggs and Ham, Central Park and The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.
About the National Film Board of Canada
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.
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Media Relations
Katja De Bock
NFB Publicist – Vancouver
C.: 778-628-4890
k.debock@nfb.ca | @NFB_Katja
Magalie Boutin
Director, Communications, Public and Cultural Relations, NFB
C.: 514-233-8646
m.boutin@nfb.ca | @NFB_Magalie
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Curator’s perspective | Director’s notes