A small independent film from Montreal has achieved great success by winning a prestigious award in the film industry. “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” created by filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, secured the Oscar for best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards.
The 17-minute stop-motion film narrates the tale of a young boy and girl, exploring themes of love, greed, and the repercussions of exploiting someone’s suffering. During their acceptance speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for unwavering support, humorously acknowledging the patience required to live with someone engrossed in a five-year puppet film project.
The duo extended their appreciation to the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), producers, and collaborators like Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann for their contributions to the film’s success. Szczerbowski also acknowledged the vibrant artist community in Montreal and the support from the city and Canada.
Reflecting on his family’s escape from Poland to Canada years ago, Szczerbowski shared a heartfelt sentiment, expressing how moved his parents would be witnessing his success. The film itself highlights Montreal, and Lavis emphasized how the city influenced the storytelling process.
Producer Christine Noël emphasized the collective effort of the creative community in achieving the award and hopes the recognition will promote the film and showcase Montreal’s animation talent. Produced by the NFB, “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” marks the organization’s 12th Oscar win, adding to its esteemed reputation. This victory marks the first Oscar win for Lavis and Szczerbowski, who previously received a nomination for their 2007 short film, “Madame Tutli-Putli.”
In Canada, “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” can be viewed for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps, offering audiences access to the award-winning creation.