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 the best animated short film at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.
The 17-minute stop-motion film narrates the tale of a young boy and girl, where the girl’s tears magically transform into pearls. The storyline delves into themes of love, greed, and the repercussions of taking advantage of someone’s suffering. During their acceptance speech, Lavis and Szczerbowski expressed gratitude to their families for their unwavering support.
Acknowledging the effort put forth by the community in bringing the film to fruition, the duo extended thanks to various contributors, including the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), the film’s producers, and other collaborators such as Brigitte Henry, Patrick Watson, Colm Feore, and James Heinemann. Szczerbowski also gave a special mention to the vibrant artistic community in Montreal and expressed gratitude towards Canada.
In a post-win interview, Szczerbowski shared a touching anecdote about his parents’ migration to Canada from Poland in pursuit of a better life, highlighting the emotional significance of their achievement. Producer Christine Noël emphasized the collective effort of the creative community in achieving this accolade, emphasizing that filmmaking is a collaborative endeavor.
The film, produced by the NFB, marked the organization’s 12th Oscar victory, further solidifying its reputation in the industry. While this win marked the first Oscar triumph for Lavis and Szczerbowski, their previous nomination for the 2007 short film “Madame Tutli-Putli” laid the foundation for their successful 20-year partnership with the NFB.
“The Girl Who Cried Pearls” is now accessible for free on NFB.ca, YouTube, and all NFB apps in Canada, offering audiences the opportunity to discover the talent emerging from Montreal’s animation scene.
