July 2, 2026 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Piluk, the first collaboration between Inuk author, singer, songwriter and film director Elisapie Isaac and multidisciplinary artist Marc Séguin, has been selected in competition at Switzerland’s prestigious Locarno Film Festival, where it will receive its world premiere screening. The animated short, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, will be competing in the Pardi di Domani section, dedicated to short- and medium-length films making their world or international premieres and that map out pathways for the cinema of the future. The festival will run from August 5–15, 2026.

Piluk is a poetic work about identity, attachment to the land, the act of transmission and the invisible bonds connecting us to our origins. The soundtrack, featuring original music by Elisapie, draws the viewer into an enthralling sensory experience. The film uses traditional handcrafted animation in graphite, acrylic and pastel on textured paper.

Quotes

“For my people, telling a story is an act of transmission. This oral tradition, which blends myth with daily life, is the life force of Inuit art. I wanted to create a timeless legend, working with Marc, who is an exceptional artist with an instinct for storytelling. Thanks to the NFB, we were able to bring Piluk’s story to life, bringing together the power of oral tradition, image and movement.” – Elisapie Isaac

“For me, it was a desire to tell a story about universal human feelings through the evocative power of art. But the starting point was wanting to try my hand at a new artistic practice and to work with a friend.” – Marc Séguin

“The National Film Board of Canada is proud to make space for animation in dialogue with other art practices, fostering a true creative hub. This collaboration between two artists with complementary backgrounds, supported by a seasoned team of animators led by Parissa Mohit, gives us a broadened perspective and allows us to explore uncharted cinematic territory.” – Jelena Popović, producer, National Film Board of Canada

Piluk | 2026 | 10 min 30 s | WORLD PREMIERE

Writer, director and original music: Elisapie Isaac

Writer, director and artistic director: Marc Séguin

Producers: Jelena Popović (NFB), Marc Bertrand (NFB)

Executive producers: Christine Noël (NFB), Julie Roy (NFB)

Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/piluk

• This animated short recounts the coming of age of young Piluk as she is carried between two worlds, spanning memory and becoming, and brings together a pair of creative voices that are both singular and inspiring.
• Synopsis: Born from a single feather, young Piluk walks on, just as her mother did before her. From the raw landscapes of the tundra to a city of concrete, will she still be able to hear the breath of the wind that witnessed her birth?
• About Elisapie Isaac and Marc Séguin: World-renowned Canadian artists Elisapie Isaac and Marc Séguin have spent more than a decade cultivating a friendship rooted in freedom, creativity and a profound bond with the land. Their creative synergy emerged in Stealing Alice, Marc Séguin’s film featuring Elisapie onscreen. With Piluk, they unveil their first animated project, which they co‑wrote and co‑directed, blending Séguin’s distinctive visual universe with Elisapie’s original score.

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Nadine Viau
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Magalie Boutin
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m.boutin@nfb.ca | @NFB_Magalie

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