For the last 10 years, the NFB has proudly supported emerging talent in the animation world through Hothouse, our 12-week intensive internship that scours the country in search of the most talented and innovative young filmmakers.  This year, we teamed up with our partners from the Mexican Film Institute and paired 6 Canadian filmmakers with 2 burgeoning talents from Mexico.

Through Hothouse, these filmmakers receive the educational and technical support they need to create a professional animated film, and for the decennial anniversary of Hothouse, we brought Oscar®-winning director Chris Landreth (Ryan) on board to mentor our 8 intrepid filmmakers.

This year’s challenge? Create an innovative, short animation using ‘found sound’ from the archives.

After 12 intense and educational weeks, we’re now ready to present the newest crop of Hothouse films! Enjoy!

Sweet Talk

Sweet Talk, Esteban Azuela, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Children explain the importance of oil in Esteban Azuela‘s beautifully drawn, razor-sharp satire of media, government, and the tycoons who take advantage of the system.

The Roommate

The Roommate, Stephanie Braithwaite, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Fed up with her roommate’s incessant shopping and hoarding, a girl takes matters into her own hands in Stephanie Braithwaite’s comical take on vlogging and the art of co-habitation.

Focus

Focus, Alex Boya, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Take a one-minute cart ride through the mental shopping mall of attention deficit disorder in Alex Boya‘s hand-drawn animation. Fun fact: he didn’t use a light board!

All the Rage

All the Rage, Alexandra Lemay, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Fantastic Mr. Fox meets The Shining in Alexandra Lemay‘s stop-motion cautionary tale that asks us to reflect upon our consumer behaviours.

The Midway

The Midway, Kathleen Weldon, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Kathleen Weldon offers a loving meditation on childhood and passage of time in her hand-drawn film where children wait their turn for a once-in-a-lifetime roller coaster ride.

A Little Craving

A Little Craving, Frances Adair Mckenzie, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

In Frances Mckenzie‘s surrealist stop-motion animation, two disembodied wigs give in to their desires and grow themselves into something a little more whole.

Mud

Mud, Neal Moignard, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Neal Moignard uses children to guide the audience through a vision of shifting digital polygons in this CGI take of our beloved classic, Helicopter Canada.

End of Message

End of Message, Benjamin Mugica, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

Inky black and electric colour are used to animate lost voicemails in Benjamin Mugica‘s thoughtful commentary on the fractured act of communication and the spaces between people trying to express themselves.

Meet the filmmakers

Curious to learn more about the filmmakers? We’ve got just the thing for you! Enjoy a 5 minute behind-the-scenes feature that gives you a little peek at the environment and experiences of each animator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usPS68Uj0qA

Browse through some Hothouse moments

Still craving more Hothouse? Check out our playlist that contains every film from the past 10 editions! Whether you enjoy classical hand-drawn animation or colourful, experimental bursts of energy, there’s a little something for everyone.

Think Hothouse is right for you? Get the details here.