Newsflash! The Oscar shortlists are out, folks, and Canadian talent is right there with the best of them. Who will move forward to the Academy Award nominations? Find out January 13, 2020.
Meanwhile, let’s celebrate the Canadian content in the race for Oscar consideration. From coproductions to composers, shorts to documentaries, these five contenders showcase our industry’s world-class talent, international appeal, and creative and business success. We’re darn proud to be a worldwide leader in coproduction, with official audiovisual coproduction treaties or agreements in place with almost 60 countries. To learn more about our passion for coproduction, here are 8 reasons to coproduce with Canada.
A closer look at the Canadians in the running
Documentary Feature category:
Advocate, selected as one of 15 shortlisted films out of 159 submissions. With award-winning Canadian Paul Cadieux as one of its co-producers, this Israel-Canada-Switzerland coproduction tells the story of Lea Tsemel, a Jewish-Israeli lawyer who defends Palestinians and political prisoners. The film has been wowing the festival circuit, from premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, to Hot Docs, and the Hong Kong International Film Festival, where the doc took home a jury prize for Best Documentary!
Short Films on the Oscars shortlists
Live Action Short Film:
Meryam Joobeur’s Brotherhood.
This Canada-Tunisia-Qatar-Sweden coproduction is about a Tunisian shepherd who has trouble accepting his son’s mysterious new wife. After premiering at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, where it scored the coveted IWS Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film, this 25-minute drama has gone on to earn loads of prizes, including a Special Jury Mention at the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival.
Animated Short Film category:
Theodore Ushev’s The Physics of Sorrow
This National Film Board of Canada production (voiced by Rossif Sutherland) follows a mysterious fellow’s memories, as a young man and back to his Bulgarian childhood.
Regina Pessoa’s Uncle Thomas: Accounting for the Days
Another NFB work also made the cut, this cinematic homage from a filmmaker to one of her inspirations: her artistic uncle.
And that’s not all… Even more Canadian talent is getting Oscar buzz.
Canadian composer Christophe Beck is also an Oscar hopeful for the Music (Original Score) category for his work on Frozen II.
Keep your eyes right here for all your Canadian Oscar updates! The 92nd Academy Awards will take place February 9, 2020.
