1. Media Space

  2. Press Releases

NFB.ca streams Theodore Ushev’s Oscar-nominated animated short Blind Vaysha free of charge, from Feb. 19 to Oscar night, Feb. 26. Will this Canadian short take home Oscar gold? Watch it and decide for yourself!

PRESS RELEASE
16/02/2017

February 16, 2017 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

As the Academy Awards approach, Canadians will be able to watch Theodore Ushev’s Oscar-nominated National Film Board of Canada (NFB) animated short Blind Vaysha free of charge at NFB.ca―starting February 19 right up to the Academy Awards on February 26―and then tune in to see if Canada takes home the Oscar.

It’s the first Academy Award nomination for Ushev and the 74th for the NFB, which has received more Oscar nominations than any other film organization based outside of Hollywood.

In Blind Vaysha, a girl is trapped in time: her left eye sees only the past while her right eye sees only the future. Like a terrible curse, Vaysha’s split vision prevents her from living in the present. Blinded by what was and tormented by what will be, she’s unable to see the reality that exists in the present. In this animated film adapted from the philosophical short story by Georgi Gospodinov, Ushev uses an expressive and powerful style poised halfway between religious paintings and linocuts, creating a film that is both symbolic and accessible. Featuring bucolic European landscapes and Benedictine architecture, and brilliantly narrated by actress Caroline Dhavernas, Blind Vaysha is a captivating metaphoric tale about the difficulty of being in the here and now.

Originally from Bulgaria, Theodore Ushev has made Montreal his home since 1999, quickly establishing himself as a prolific, award-winning animator, working mainly with the NFB. Already Ushev’s most acclaimed film to date, with almost 20 Canadian and international honours to its credit, Blind Vaysha is produced at the NFB by Marc Bertrand and executive producer Julie Roy, with the participation of ARTE France.

The 89th Academy Awards will take place February 26, 2017, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. The NFB has won 12 Oscars over its 78-year history, including a 1989 Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.

Blind Vaysha is also currently nominated for the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best Animated Short, to be presented at 5th Canadian Screen Awards in March.

–30–

Associated Links

Academy Awards
ARTE France

Media Relations

  • About the NFB

    The NFB is Canada’s public producer and distributor of award-winning documentaries, auteur animation, interactive stories and participatory experiences, working with talented creators across the country. The NFB is taking action to combat systemic racism and become a more open and diverse organization, while working to strengthen Indigenous-led production and gender equity in film and digital media. NFB productions have won more than 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars. To access this unique content, visit NFB.ca.