Butterfly Tale

Director Sophie Roy
Year 2023
Run Time 88min
Genre Animation, Family
Patrick (Mena Massoud) is a butterfly with a dream: to take the journey of a lifetime and be a part of the great Monarch butterfly migration from Canada to Mexico! Unfortunately, he was born with a faulty, underdeveloped wing, so he can’t fly. Which means he can’t go…

Determined not to let his disability stop him, Patrick and his best friend, a goofy caterpillar named Marty (Lucinda Davis), stow away in a milkweed trailer to be part of the adventure. Facing challenges and trials along the way, Patrick faces his fear, embraces his uniqueness and overcomes adversity to become an unlikely hero!

Butterfly Tale is an inspiring animated adventure full of humour that reminds us that differences are less important than the bonds we share.

Director

Sophie Roy

Writers

Heidi Foss, Lienne Sawatsky, Michael Solomon

Cast

Tatiana Maslany, Mena Massoud

Genres

Animation, Family

Interests

Bullying, Female Filmmaker

Original Languages

English, French

Roses Sing on New Snow

Director Yuan Zhang
Year 2003
Run Time 7min
Genre Animation
Maylin, a fantastic chef, is kept in the shadows by her father who gives her brothers credit for her cooking. When a local dignitary visits, Maylin gets a chance to step into the spotlight.

Director

Yuan Zhang

Genre

Animation

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences

Original Languages

English, French

The Girl Who Hated Books

Director Jo Meuris
Year 2006
Run Time 7min
Genre Family
This animated short about literacy introduces us to Meena, a young girl who hates books even though her parents love to read. Books are everywhere in Meena's house, in cupboards, drawers and even piled up on the stairs. Still, she refuses to even open one up. But when her cat Max accidentally knocks down a huge stack, pandemonium ensues and nothing is ever the same again. 
 

Director

Jo Meuris

Writer

Sugith Varughese

Cast

Michael Rudder, Elizabeth Lofranco, Harry Standjofski, Thor Bishopric

Producer

Tamara Lynch

Genre

Family

Interests

Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker, Strong Female Leads

Original Languages

English, French

The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin

Director Janet Perlman
Year 1981
Run Time 10min
Genre Animation, Comedy

The classic Cinderella fairytale is given an endearing twist, presented by a cast of penguins!

Director

Janet Perlman

Genres

Animation, Comedy

Interests

Family Relationships, Female Filmmaker

Original Language

No Dialogue

The Dingles

Director Les Drew
Year 1988
Run Time 7min
Genre Family
Created by award-winning animator/director Les Drew, this animated short features Doris Dingle and her family of three cats. Sure to appeal to children of all ages, The Dingles shows what happens when an unexpected violent wind disrupts the family's idyllic life. The film is based on the book The Dingles, written by Helen Levchuk and illustrated by John Bianchi.

Director

Les Drew

Cast

Emma Levine, Christine Olivier

Producer

William Pettigrew

Genre

Family

Interests

Family Relationships, Literary Adaptation

Original Languages

English, French

Lights for Gita

Director Michel Vo
Year 2002
Run Time 7min
Genre Animation
In her first winter in Canada after her family moved from India, Gita finds a special way to celebrate Divali, the Hindu festival of lights.

Director

Michel Vo

Genre

Animation

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Global Experiences

Original Languages

English, French

Don’t Tell Santa You’re Jewish!

Director Jody Kramer
Year 2010
Run Time 4min
Genre Animation
A young Jewish girl is worried that Santa will treat her differently from the other kids.

Director

Jody Kramer

Writer

Jody Kramer

Producer

Jody Kramer

Genre

Animation

Interests

Arts and Culture, Female Filmmaker

Original Language

English

The Energy Carol

Director Les Drew
Year 1975
Run Time 10min
Genre Animation
In a playful spin on the Charles Dickens classic, the CEO of a power company must confront the impact his wasteful ways will have on the future of the planet.

Director

Les Drew

Genre

Animation

Interest

Environment

Original Language

English

The Great Toy Robbery

Director Jeff Hale
Year 1963
Run Time 6min
Genre Animation
On his annual Christmas journey, Santa Claus is stopped in the wild west by robbers looking to keep the toys for themselves.

Director

Jeff Hale

Genre

Animation

Interest

Classics

Original Language

English

Maq and the Spirit of the Woods

Director Phyllis Grant
Year 2006
Run Time 8min
Genre Animation
This animated short tells the story of Maq, a Mi'kmaq boy who realizes his potential with the help of inconspicuous mentors. 

Director

Phyllis Grant

Genre

Animation

Interests

BIPOC Stories, Indigenous Filmmaker

Original Language

English