The wider picture
In a remarkable achievement for Canadian animation, The Girl Who Cried Pearls has won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 15, 2026. This accolade marks a significant milestone not only for the film but also for its creators, Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, who have collaborated with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) for over 20 years.
The film, which is a stop-motion animation, debuted at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2025 and has since been screened at more than 45 festivals, garnering 14 awards and mentions. This win is particularly notable as it is only the second time an NFB stop-motion film has captured the Oscar in this category, following the previous nomination of Madame Tutli-Putli in 2007.
In their acceptance speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their team, stating, “This award is a tribute to all the artists who shared this labour with us. They are not just names in the credits, they are our community, and their extraordinary talent and hard work made this possible.” Their heartfelt acknowledgment highlights the collaborative nature of animation and the importance of community in the creative process.
Adding to the celebration, Suzanne Guèvremont, the executive director of the NFB, remarked, “At a time when our country’s spirit is winning accolades around the world, Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski have given Canadians another reason to be proud.” This sentiment reflects the broader pride felt across Canada as the film continues to gain international recognition.
The film features the voice work of acclaimed actor Colm Feore and includes a musical score composed by Patrick Watson, with artistic direction by Brigitte Henry and sound design by Olivier Calvert. These contributions have further enriched the film’s storytelling, making it a standout piece in the realm of animated shorts.
As the animation community and fans celebrate this achievement, it is clear that The Girl Who Cried Pearls has set a new benchmark for future projects. Observers anticipate that this win will inspire a new wave of creativity and innovation within the Canadian animation industry.
With this Oscar victory, the NFB has now secured its 12th Oscar win, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in the field of animation. The future looks promising for Lavis and Szczerbowski, who are expected to continue pushing the boundaries of animated storytelling in their upcoming projects.
