Tomorrow marks the beginning of this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF), North America’s most prestigious outlet for artistic animation. In light of the “close, intimate relationship” the festival has had with the National Film Board of Canada, this playlist of 9 films from the NFB archive was collected for the occasion.

Loyal SotW readers will recognize more than a few of these films, it seems that maybe we have a close, intimate relationship with the NFB! Still there are plenty of picks that are even new to me, including a splendid piece from Theodor Ushev that I hadn’t come across before.

Sadly neither Andrew or I will be making it out to Ottawa this year, but I know that many of you are really talented animators and will be attending; some of you even showing at OIAF! We always need information on what is new and hot so, if you’re attending, drop us a line telling us about your favorite shorts. We’ll credit you in any future pieces. Thanks!

Watch the NFB Playlist for OIAF