Films & Television
TUKTU’S JOURNEY
In Development
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: This series follows the story of Tuktu the caribou and his friends on the Tundra. In the demo, Nanuq’s Baby Brother, Nanuq the polar bear is sad she doesn’t have any siblings, but when her annana (mother) makes a big announcement, Nanuq works hard to be prepared for the new arrival.
Based on the book published by Arvaaq Books, written by Nadia Sammurtok & Rachel Rupke and illustrated by Ali Hinch.
2D animation, Inuktitut and English
Credits:
Written by Nadia Sammurtok & Rachel Rupke
Based on the book published by Arvaaq Books, written by Nadia Sammurtok & Rachel Rupke and illustrated by Ali Hinch.
2D animation, Inuktitut and English
Credits:
Written by Nadia Sammurtok & Rachel Rupke
TUNDRA FRIENDS
In Production
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: Meet the Tundra Friends! The Tundra Friends is a delightful cast of anthropomorphic animal characters that each personify a different emotion. This series features thoughtful, engaging stories that teach children to identify and regulate their emotions in healthy ways.In teaching emotional literacy, Tundra Friends lays the groundwork for good mental health.
2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Thomas Anguti Johnston, Aviaq Johnston, Nadia Mike & Nadia Sammurtok
Directed by Nadia Mike, Louise Flaherty, Nadia Sammurtok & Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty & Neil Christopher
2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Thomas Anguti Johnston, Aviaq Johnston, Nadia Mike & Nadia Sammurtok
Directed by Nadia Mike, Louise Flaherty, Nadia Sammurtok & Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty & Neil Christopher
PUTUGUQ AND KUBLU
In Development
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: There’s lots of fun to be had on the tundra—especially when Putuguq and Kublu are up to their tricks! Putuguq and Kublu love to pull pranks and one-up each other every chance they get. But when their schemes don’t go as planned, the feuding siblings find themselves on the land with their grandpa learning about their ancestors. Based on the Inhabit Media graphic novel series Putuguq and Kublu, written by Roselynn Akulukjuk and Danny Christopher, and illustrated by Astrid Arijanto.
2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Roselynn Akulukjuk & Danny Christopher
Directed by Roselynn Akulukjuk & Danny Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty & Danny Christopher
2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Roselynn Akulukjuk & Danny Christopher
Directed by Roselynn Akulukjuk & Danny Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty & Danny Christopher
MIA AND THE MONSTERS
In Development
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: Mia and the Monsters follows a confident young Inuk girl and her quirky group of monster friends. Presented in the classic storytelling style of Winnie the Pooh, The Wizard of Oz, and Where the Wild Things Are, this series will teach kids the value of being kind, sharing with others, and being yourself. The Mia and the Monsters world is a camp with Mia’s tent and the monsters’ homes situated in a place that resembles the natural environment of the Canadian Arctic.
This story will begin in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and then the audience will be magically transported to Mia’s make-believe tundra world. The activities, tools, and games will be familiar to Northern children, and the series will give a glimpse of Northern life to children around the world. This preschool series will be filled with age-appropriate information and will teach important Inuit values of kindness, friendship, patience, and environmental stewardship.
Note: This series is based on a preschool book series with the same name, familiar to children across Nunavut.
2D & live-action children’s television series
Audience: Preschool (ages 2–5)
Produced in English and Inuktitut
Credits:
Written by Neil Christopher & Nadia Sammurtok
Directed by Neil Christopher & Nadia Mike
Produced by Louise Flaherty & Neil Christopher
This story will begin in Iqaluit, Nunavut, and then the audience will be magically transported to Mia’s make-believe tundra world. The activities, tools, and games will be familiar to Northern children, and the series will give a glimpse of Northern life to children around the world. This preschool series will be filled with age-appropriate information and will teach important Inuit values of kindness, friendship, patience, and environmental stewardship.
Note: This series is based on a preschool book series with the same name, familiar to children across Nunavut.
2D & live-action children’s television series
Audience: Preschool (ages 2–5)
Produced in English and Inuktitut
Credits:
Written by Neil Christopher & Nadia Sammurtok
Directed by Neil Christopher & Nadia Mike
Produced by Louise Flaherty & Neil Christopher
ANAANA’S TENT Season 2 (2020)
Completed
Where to Watch:
APTN Lumi
Join us on social media:
Facebook: @anaanastenttv Instagram: @anaanastent
Twitter: @anaanastent
Pinterest: @anaanastent
It’s summertime in the Arctic, and host, Rita Claire, sets up camp at her mother’s tent on the land. With the help of her old husky, Qimmiq, and a cast of special friends, Rita Claire sings songs, plays games, reads stories and learns new words in Inuktitut. Special guests, including Kathleen Merritt, Looee Arreak, Susan Aglukark, and Northern Haze, drop by to visit. Anaana’s Tent is an entertaining and educational preschool TV series that prepares children for Kindergarten. The series is a mixture of live-action, puppet, and animated segments and is filled with Northern stories. Anaana’s Tent teaches Inuit values of kindness, friendship, patience and environmental stewardship.
13 x 22 mins, live-action & animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Head Writer: Neil Christopher
Writers: Nadia Mike, Nadia Sammurtok, Neil Christopher, Bronwyn Szabo, Ali Hinch, Philip Eddolls, Amelia Spedaliere
Directors: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Anguti Johnston, Mark Aspland, Neil Christopher, Daniel Christopher
Producers: Monica Ittusardjuat, Neil Christopher, Danny Christopher, Nadia Mike
13 x 22 mins, live-action & animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Head Writer: Neil Christopher
Writers: Nadia Mike, Nadia Sammurtok, Neil Christopher, Bronwyn Szabo, Ali Hinch, Philip Eddolls, Amelia Spedaliere
Directors: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Anguti Johnston, Mark Aspland, Neil Christopher, Daniel Christopher
Producers: Monica Ittusardjuat, Neil Christopher, Danny Christopher, Nadia Mike
UKALIQ & KALLA Season 1 (2020)
Completed
Where to Watch:
IsumaTV
Join us on social media:
Facebook: @ukaliqandkalla Instagram: @ukaliqandkalla
Twitter: @ukaliqandkalla
Set in the Arctic, Ukaliq & Kalla is an educational children’s animated series that follows two lively characters—Ukaliq, an excitable and impulsive Arctic hare, and Kalla, an even-tempered and intelligent lemming. This unlikely pair leads young viewers on entertaining and educational adventures that teach valuable lessons. Often unprepared and impatient, Ukaliq tends to get himself into trouble, but calm and thoughtful Kalla is always right there to lend a hand and help his friend. Together, Ukaliq and Kalla introduce children to life in the North and provide teachable moments for a preschool audience of 2- to 5-year-olds.
13 x 11 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Writers: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Neil Christopher, Champagne Brittany Choquer, Luke Coleman, Erik Blohm-Gagné, Nadia Mike, Nadia Sammurtok
Directors: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Luke Coleman
Producers: Monica Ittusardjuat, Daniel Christopher, Neil Christopher
13 x 11 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Writers: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Neil Christopher, Champagne Brittany Choquer, Luke Coleman, Erik Blohm-Gagné, Nadia Mike, Nadia Sammurtok
Directors: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Luke Coleman
Producers: Monica Ittusardjuat, Daniel Christopher, Neil Christopher
HOW NIVI GOT HER NAMES (2019)
Completed
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: Nivi has always known that her names were special, but she does not know where they came from. So, one cold afternoon, Nivi decides to ask her mom. The stories of the people Nivi is named after lead her to an understanding of traditional Inuit kinship naming practices, tuqlurausiit, and knowledge of what those practices mean to Inuit. Through her names, Nivi is a little girl, a grandfather, a grandmother, and a well-respected elder. Nivi’s names connect her to the personality and character of those who have passed and make her family so much bigger than she thought before.
7 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Laura Deal
Directed by Laura Deal
Produced by Neil Christopher and Monica Ittusardjuat
Awards, Nominations, and Screenings:
Nominee
2019 American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco, CA, USA) – Best Animation
Screenings
2019 Vox Popular Media Arts Festival (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)
2019 Gig Harbor Film Festival (Gig Harbor, WA, USA)
2019 FIN Kids Festival Tour (Atlantic Canada)
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
2020 Māoriland Film Festival (Ōtaki, New Zealand)
2020 Children’s Film Festival Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA)
2020 Bellingham Children’s Film Festival (Bellingham, WA, USA)
2020 Underexposed Film Festival (Rock Hill, SC, USA)
2020 Native Spirit Film Festival (London, UK)
7 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Laura Deal
Directed by Laura Deal
Produced by Neil Christopher and Monica Ittusardjuat
Awards, Nominations, and Screenings:
Nominee
Screenings
WHAT’S MY SUPERPOWER (2019)
Completed
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest:Nalvana feels like all of her friends have some type of superpower. She has friends with super speed, friends who can jump so far she thinks they can fly, and friends who are better than her at a million other things. As Nalvana tries out each of her friends’ superpowers with no success, she wonders if she might be the only kid in town without a special talent. But then her mom shows Nalvana that she is unique and special—and that her superpower was right in front of her all along.
9 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Aviaq Johnston
Directed by Justin Heymans
Produced by Neil Christopher and Monica Ittusardjuat
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Nominee
2019 Ottawa International Animation Festival (Ottawa, ON, Canada) – Young Audiences Competition (Preschool)
Screenings
2019 Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (Chicago, IL, USA)
2019 Gig Harbor Film Festival (Gig Harbor, WA, USA)
2019 Regent Park Film Festival (Toronto, ON, Canada)
2019 Cork Film Festival (Cork, Ireland)
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
2020 Māoriland Film Festival (Ōtaki, New Zealand)
2020 Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages (Winnipeg, MB, Canada)
2020 Children’s Film Festival Seattle (Seattle, WA, USA)
2020 Bellingham Children’s Film Festival (Bellingham, WA, USA)
2020 BAMkids Film Festival (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
2020 PLAY Lisbon’s International Kids Film Festival (Lisbon, Portugal)
2020 Underexposed Film Festival (Rock Hill, SC, USA)
2020 Providence Children’s Film Festival (Providence, RI, USA)
2020 Reel 2 Reel International Film Festival for Youth (Vancouver, BC, Canada) (Festival cancelled due to COVID-19)
2020 Aspen Shortsfest (Aspen, CO, USA)
2020 The Scene: Youth Media Festival (Saskatoon, SK, Canada) (Festival cancelled due to COVID-19)
2020 Dawson City International Short Film Festival (Dawson City, YT, Canada)
2020 Anibar Animation Festival (Pejë, Kosovo) (online edition due to COVID-19)
2020 Native Spirit Film Festival (London, UK)
2020 Mill Valley FilmFestival (San Rafael, CA, USA)
9 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Written by Aviaq Johnston
Directed by Justin Heymans
Produced by Neil Christopher and Monica Ittusardjuat
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Nominee
Screenings
GIANT BEAR (2018)
Completed
Where to Watch:
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: Centred on a confrontation between the last monster bear and an Inuit hunter, Giant Bear is a chilling short that brings an ancient story out of the North. In Giant Bear, we follow a hunter in the depths of starvation. The snow is thick, his dogs are mysteriously dying and food is nowhere to be found. A quest for answers leads him straight to a nanurluk, an iceberg-sized polar bear, setting up a “kill or be killed” battle that pits one man’s wits against a fearsome foe.
Based on the Inuit traditional story of “Nanurluk / The Giant Bear” shared by Jose Angutinngurniq
10 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut w/ English subtitles
Credits:
Written by Neil Christopher
Directed by Neil Christopher and Daniel Gies
Produced by Monica Ittusardjuat, Neil Christopher, Daniel Gies, Emily Paige
Co-Produced with e→d films
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
2020 Canadian Screen Awards (Toronto, ON, Canada) – Winner of Best Animated Short
2019 Athens Animfest (Athens, Greece) – Audience Award Short
2019 Fantasia Film Festival (Montreal, QC, Canada) – Special Jury Mention for Short Film in Satoshi Kon Award for Achievement in Animation
2019 Dreamspeakers International Film Festival (Edmonton, AB, Canada) – Outstanding Achievement in Animation
2019 GIRAF Festival of Independent Animation (Calgary, AB, Canada) – Audience Choice: Best Canadian Short and Jury Award: Honourable Mention
Nominee
2019 Yorkton Film Festival (Yorkton, SK, Canada) – Nominated for Kathleen Shannon Award
2019 LA Skins Fest (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – Nominated for Achievement in Animation
Screen/ing
2019 Annecy International Animated Film Festival (Annecy, France)
2019 Ottawa International Animation Festival (Ottawa, ON, Canada)
2019 Regard Saguenay International Short Film Festival (Chicoutimi, QC, Canada)
2019 Festival de Cinéma de la Ville de Québec (Quebec City, QC, Canada)
2019 GLAS Animation (Berkeley, CA, USA)
2019 Dawson City International Short Film Festival (Dawson City, YT, Canada)
2019 Imaginaria (Conversano, Italy)
2019 In the Palace International Short Film Festival (Burgas, Bulgaria)
2019 Gen Con Film Festival (Indianapolis, IN, USA)
2019 Anima Mundi (Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo, Brazil)
2019 Wiesbaden International Festival of Animation (Wiesbaden, Germany)
2019 FilmQuest Festival (Provo, UT, USA)
2019 Vox Popular Media Arts Festival (Thunder Bay, ON, Canada)
2019 Taichung International Animation Festival (Taichung, Taiwan)
2019 KuanDu International Animation Festival (Taipei, Taiwan)
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
2019 Foyle Film Festival (Derry, United Kingdom)
2019 Sommets du cinéma d’animation (Montreal, QC, Canada)
2019 Sommets du cinéma d’animation screening at Canadian Cultural Center Paris (Paris, France)
2020 Māoriland Film Festival (Ōtaki, New Zealand)
2020 Underexposed Film Festival (Rock Hill, SC, USA)
2020 Weengushk International Film Festival (M’Chigeeng, ON, Canada)
2020 Hiroshima International Animation Festival (Hiroshima, Japan) – Best of the World Announcement (no official screening)
Based on the Inuit traditional story of “Nanurluk / The Giant Bear” shared by Jose Angutinngurniq
10 mins, 2D animation, Inuktitut w/ English subtitles
Credits:
Written by Neil Christopher
Directed by Neil Christopher and Daniel Gies
Produced by Monica Ittusardjuat, Neil Christopher, Daniel Gies, Emily Paige
Co-Produced with e→d films
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
Nominee
Screen/ing
ANAANA’S TENT Season 1 (2018)
Completed
Where to Watch:
APTN LumiIsumaTV
CBC Gem
Join us on social media:
Facebook: @anaanastenttv Instagram: @anaanastent
Twitter: @anaanastent
Pinterest: @anaanastent
It’s summertime in the Arctic, and host, Rita Claire, sets up camp at her mother’s tent on the land. With the help of her old husky, Qimmiq, and a cast of special friends, Rita Claire sings songs, plays games, reads stories and learns new words in Inuktitut. Special guests, including Kathleen Merritt, Looee Arreak, Susan Aglukark, and Northern Haze, drop by to visit. Anaana’s Tent is an entertaining and educational preschool TV series that prepares children for Kindergarten. The series is a mixture of live-action, puppet, and animated segments and is filled with Northern stories. Anaana’s Tent teaches Inuit values of kindness, friendship, patience and environmental stewardship.
13 x 22 mins, live-action & animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Head Writer: Neil Christopher
Writers: Nadia Mike, Roselynn Akulukjuk, Daniel Christopher, William Flaherty, Maren Vsetula, Champagne Brittany Choquer, Philip Eddolls, Martha Grant
Directors: Nadia Mike, Roselynn Akulukjuk, Neil Christopher, Philip Eddolls, Daniel Christopher,
Patrick Béland
Producer: Neil Christopher
13 x 22 mins, live-action & animation, Inuktitut & English
Credits:
Head Writer: Neil Christopher
Writers: Nadia Mike, Roselynn Akulukjuk, Daniel Christopher, William Flaherty, Maren Vsetula, Champagne Brittany Choquer, Philip Eddolls, Martha Grant
Directors: Nadia Mike, Roselynn Akulukjuk, Neil Christopher, Philip Eddolls, Daniel Christopher,
Patrick Béland
Producer: Neil Christopher
UKALIQ & KALLA GO FISHING (2017)
Completed
Where to Watch:
Join us on social media:
Facebook:@ukaliqandkallaInstagram:@ukaliqandkalla
Twitter: @ukaliqandkalla
Ukaliq and Kalla Go Fishing tells the story of an ice-fishing trip taken by two unlikely friends — Ukaliq the Arctic hare and Kalla the lemming. Well-meaning but impatient, Ukaliq can’t catch a single Arctic char! Good thing Kalla is there. Embodying the calm, thoughtful nature of traditional hunters and those who live in the Arctic, Kalla shares his wisdom — and his snacks — with his unprepared friend. This fun and educational short film shows how important it is to be patient, kind, and prepared for whatever comes.
5 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Produced by Neil Christopher, Danny Christopher, and Louise Flaherty
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
2017 Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum Native Cinema Showcase (New Mexico, USA) – Best Animated Short
Nominee
2017 American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco, CA, USA) – Nominated for Animated Short
2017 LA Skins Film Fest (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – Nominated for Best Animation
Screening
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
5 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
Nominee
Screening
THE OWL AND THE LEMMING (2016)
Completed
Where to Watch:
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat. Inuit stories are often instructive, and with this fable, children quickly learn the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are to be avoided.
This short puppet film utilizes composited photographs and a set made with actual Arctic plants and lichen to create an authentic retelling of this ancient Arctic fable. This short film provides a glimpse of traditional Inuit values and beliefs.
3 minutes, Puppet animation
Credits:
Directed by Roselynn Akulukjuk
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Roselynn Akulukjuk and Neil Christopher
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
2017 Short. Sweet. Film Fest (Cleveland, OH, USA) – Honourable Mention in Animation
2016 American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco, CA, USA) – Best Animation Co-Winner
Nominee
2017 West Chester International Short Film Festival (West Chester, PA, USA) – Nominated for Best Animation Film
2017 Yorkton Film Festival (Yorkton, SK, Canada) – Nominated in Children’s & Youth Category
2017 Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum – Native Cinema Showcase (New Mexico, USA) – Nominated for Best Animated Short
2016 LA Skins Film Fest (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – Nominated for Achievement in Animation Filmmaking
Screening
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
This short puppet film utilizes composited photographs and a set made with actual Arctic plants and lichen to create an authentic retelling of this ancient Arctic fable. This short film provides a glimpse of traditional Inuit values and beliefs.
3 minutes, Puppet animation
Credits:
Directed by Roselynn Akulukjuk
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Roselynn Akulukjuk and Neil Christopher
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
Nominee
Screening
LITTLE FOLK OF THE ARCTIC (2015)
Completed
Where to Watch:
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: In the folklore of most cultures around the world, there are stories of magical little folk. And the Arctic is no exception. Inuit traditional knowledge is filled with references to many different races and tribes of little folk. These beings always try to avoid human encounters, but over the years Inuit hunters and shamans have gathered stories and experiences to help us understand these small inhabitants.
This short introduces viewers to the little folk of the Arctic.
3 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
2016 American Indian Film Festival (San Francisco, CA, USA) – Best Animation Co-Winner
2016 Seoul Guro International Kids Film Festival (Seoul, South Korea) – Best Short Animation Winner
Nominee
2017 Yorkton Film Festival (Yorkton, SK, Canada) – Nominated in Animation Category
2016 LA Skins Film Fest (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – Nominated for Achievement in Animation Filmmaking
Screening
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
This short introduces viewers to the little folk of the Arctic.
3 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
Nominee
Screening
OGRESS OF THE GRAVELBANK (2015)
Completed
Where to Watch:
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: Inuit oral history is filled with strange beings and supernatural creatures. One of these feared land spirits is the Ogress of the Gravelbank. This cruel being was known to lure children into her lair and trap them there. All that perish in that cave remain there as spirits and animated corpses.
This short vignette introduces viewers to this malevolent spirit that is unknown to all but the people of the far north.
3 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Awards and Nominations:
Winner
2016 CreActive International Open Film Festival (Dhaka, Bangladesh) – Special Mention Award for “Animation Film”
2015 Yorkton Film Festival (Yorkton, SK, Canada) – Best Children’s and Youth Production Winner
Nominee
Achievement in Animation Filmmaking (Nominee), Los Angeles Skins Film Festival (2016)
Best Animation (Nominee), Yorkton Film Festival (2017)
This short vignette introduces viewers to this malevolent spirit that is unknown to all but the people of the far north.
3 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Awards and Nominations:
Winner
Nominee
BEYOND THE INUKSUK
In development
Where to Watch:
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The magical world described in Inuit myths and legends exists! It is a hidden place inhabited by land spirits, ancient giants, powerful ogresses, sea creatures, and other strange beings. As machines, technology, and new religions arrived in the North, doorways and paths between the modern world and the Hidden World were forgotten. However, there are some who still remember the way across.
Director’s Notes:
Beyond the Inuksuk is a series of stories similar to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and C.S. Lewis’s world of Narnia. These stories link the human world to a world of magic and spirits. However, instead of the stories taking place in wartime England with magic from European folktales (as you find in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Beyond the Inuksuk takes place in northern Canada, and the magical world is the world of Indigenous Canadian mythology (specifically Inuit mythology). This series will show children a magical world as exciting as anything available in popular culture, but this world is authentically Indigenous, and it has been preserved in stories passed on for generations.
One of the strengths of this series is that the magical world it represents is fully developed and steeped in Inuit culture and history. Over a decade of research and story development has allowed us to construct a magical world that is rich with its own creation myths and mystical language. We have an opportunity to share many different stories of monsters, ogresses, and giants that most children have never seen yet.
This series could be Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings for children. Beyond the Inuksuk can be enjoyed through the entertaining stories it will tell, or a fan can spend
years discovering the rich history and storytelling depth that exist in these materials.
Stop-motion animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Director’s Notes:
Beyond the Inuksuk is a series of stories similar to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and C.S. Lewis’s world of Narnia. These stories link the human world to a world of magic and spirits. However, instead of the stories taking place in wartime England with magic from European folktales (as you find in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), Beyond the Inuksuk takes place in northern Canada, and the magical world is the world of Indigenous Canadian mythology (specifically Inuit mythology). This series will show children a magical world as exciting as anything available in popular culture, but this world is authentically Indigenous, and it has been preserved in stories passed on for generations.
One of the strengths of this series is that the magical world it represents is fully developed and steeped in Inuit culture and history. Over a decade of research and story development has allowed us to construct a magical world that is rich with its own creation myths and mystical language. We have an opportunity to share many different stories of monsters, ogresses, and giants that most children have never seen yet.
This series could be Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings for children. Beyond the Inuksuk can be enjoyed through the entertaining stories it will tell, or a fan can spend
years discovering the rich history and storytelling depth that exist in these materials.
Stop-motion animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
ANGKUKSAJAUJUQ: THE SHAMAN’S APPRENTICE
Completed
Angkuksajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice is an animated adaptation of an Inuit traditional story, from the North Baffin region.
The Shaman’s Apprentice tells the story of a young shaman in training who must face her first test—a trip to the underground to visit Kannaaluk, The One Below, who holds the answers to why a community member has become ill. Facing dark spirits and physical challenges, the young shaman must trust the teachings of her grandmother and mentor, Ningiuq Angakkuq, and learn to control her fear.
This is an exciting narrative to bring to a larger audience, as it is steeped in Inuit traditional beliefs, and spirituality. Our goal is to engage a contemporary audience, but ensure the story’s authenticity is preserved. One of the challenges will be to accurately represent the northern community and time period with sufficient detail, so the audience is transported to another part of the world, and another time, and then seamlessly transitions into the spirit world of Inuit traditional beliefs. This story’s cultural significance and the creative challenge it offers to our team are what make this project so exciting.
Credits:
Directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Written by Zacharias Kunuk and Jonathan Frantz
Produced by Neil Christopher, Nadia Mike, Zacharias Kunuk and Jonathan Frantz
The Shaman’s Apprentice tells the story of a young shaman in training who must face her first test—a trip to the underground to visit Kannaaluk, The One Below, who holds the answers to why a community member has become ill. Facing dark spirits and physical challenges, the young shaman must trust the teachings of her grandmother and mentor, Ningiuq Angakkuq, and learn to control her fear.
This is an exciting narrative to bring to a larger audience, as it is steeped in Inuit traditional beliefs, and spirituality. Our goal is to engage a contemporary audience, but ensure the story’s authenticity is preserved. One of the challenges will be to accurately represent the northern community and time period with sufficient detail, so the audience is transported to another part of the world, and another time, and then seamlessly transitions into the spirit world of Inuit traditional beliefs. This story’s cultural significance and the creative challenge it offers to our team are what make this project so exciting.
Credits:
Directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Written by Zacharias Kunuk and Jonathan Frantz
Produced by Neil Christopher, Nadia Mike, Zacharias Kunuk and Jonathan Frantz
THE AMAUTALIK (2014)
Completed
Where to Watch:
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Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: A neglected orphan and a kind little girl encounter one of the most dangerous land spirits from Inuit folktales—the Amautalik. This huge creature wanders the tundra, looking for children or lone travellers. When the Amautalik finds the two children far away from the safety of their camp, she is certain of her prize. But she didn’t count on the little orphan’s quick-thinking response.
Director’s Notes:
The animated short film The Amautalik is adapted from an Inuit folktale that has been shared by the Caribou Inuit from the Canadian Arctic for countless generations.
This story introduces us to two very common themes or messages in Inuit folktales. The first is the mistake of mistreating or neglecting orphans. Life is tough in the Arctic, and a child without a parent was often considered a burden. However, anytime an orphan character appears in a traditional Inuit story, he or she is mistreated or underestimated, which is always a mistake. The second theme or message is the value of thinking through a problem. Inuit stories always show how wisdom and quick thinking are more important than strength, or any other advantage a person might have.
In an attempt to transport the audience to the Far North, we decided to use stop-motion puppets shot in a green screen studio environment. Then, we created a digital Arctic environment with photographs of actual Arctic plants, rocks, bones, and other elements. Because of these production choices, I think the “look and feel” of this film is unique and authentic.
7 minutes, stop-motion animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Based on the book Stories of the Amautalik by Neil Christopher, published by Inhabit Media
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Narrated by Laakuluk Williamson Bathory
Voice Actors:
Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory (The Amautalik)
Aasivak Paul Baril (Aviuq)
Gabrielle Aleeasuk Pelky (Nilak)
Awards
Best Children’s and Youth Production, Yorkton Film Festival (2015)
Stills and Behind the Scenes:
Director’s Notes:
The animated short film The Amautalik is adapted from an Inuit folktale that has been shared by the Caribou Inuit from the Canadian Arctic for countless generations.
This story introduces us to two very common themes or messages in Inuit folktales. The first is the mistake of mistreating or neglecting orphans. Life is tough in the Arctic, and a child without a parent was often considered a burden. However, anytime an orphan character appears in a traditional Inuit story, he or she is mistreated or underestimated, which is always a mistake. The second theme or message is the value of thinking through a problem. Inuit stories always show how wisdom and quick thinking are more important than strength, or any other advantage a person might have.
In an attempt to transport the audience to the Far North, we decided to use stop-motion puppets shot in a green screen studio environment. Then, we created a digital Arctic environment with photographs of actual Arctic plants, rocks, bones, and other elements. Because of these production choices, I think the “look and feel” of this film is unique and authentic.
7 minutes, stop-motion animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Based on the book Stories of the Amautalik by Neil Christopher, published by Inhabit Media
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Narrated by Laakuluk Williamson Bathory
Voice Actors:
Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory (The Amautalik)
Aasivak Paul Baril (Aviuq)
Gabrielle Aleeasuk Pelky (Nilak)
Awards
Best Children’s and Youth Production, Yorkton Film Festival (2015)
Stills and Behind the Scenes:
THE ORPHAN AND THE POLAR BEAR (2013)
Completed
Where to Watch:
Join us on social media:
Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: According to Inuit oral history, long ago animals had the power of speech, could shift their appearances, and could even assume human form. In The Orphan and the Polar Bear, a neglected orphan is adopted by a polar bear elder. Under the bear’s guidance, the little orphan learns the skills he will need to survive and provide for himself.
Director’s Notes:
I have been gathering traditional Inuit stories for over 15 years. But when I encountered Sakiasi Qaunaq’s version of “The Orphan and the Polar Bear” in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, I knew this was a special story. This folktale contains so many of the story themes that you find in Inuit traditional stories—the mistreated orphan, supernatural intervention when someone is being abused, animals that can assume hidden form, and so forth. As well, this story gives you a glimpse of how Inuit traditionally felt about polar bears. In The Orphan and the Polar Bear, you can see the polar bear elder felt compassion for the orphan and possessed wisdom and skills (which he passed on to the orphan). And you can see that polar bear youth had similar respect for their elders as Inuit did. How polar bears are represented in this story is in stark contrast to the wolves in my last film, Amaqqut Nunaat: The Country of Wolves. There you see savage animals that have no respect for kith or kin.
I enjoy working in Inuit oral history and with traditional stories, as I feel there is more truth and meaning buried in these stories than I ever found in the history books I read in school.
In this film, I wanted to move you through this story as if it were almost embedded in the old ice. There seems to be a strange connection between the melting of the
Arctic ice and the erosion of Inuit traditional culture and values. Something very important is disappearing, and not enough people are paying attention.
Based on the book The Orphan and the Polar Bear by Sakiasi Qaunaq, published by Inhabit Media
9 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Narrated by Johnny Issaluk
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
2015 Yorkton Film Festival (Yorkton, SK, Canada) – Best Director (for Fiction) Winner
2015 Praxis Film Festival (Raleigh, NC, USA) – Audience Award, Animation Winner
2014 West Chester Film Festival (West Chester, PA, USA) – Best Animated Film Winner
2014 Roseville Festival of Film & Animation (Roseville, CA, USA) – Audience Favorite, Animated Short Winner
2014 Auburn International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults (Auburn, Australia) – Best Short Film for Children Winner
2014 Fort McMurray International Film Festival (Fort McMurray, AB, Canada) – Best Animation Winner
2014 Montreal First Peoples’ Festival (Montreal, QC, Canada) – Best Animation Winner
2014 Mount Dora Family Film Festival (Mount Dora, FL, USA) – Best Animated Short Winner
2014 SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival (Providence, RI, USA) – Audience Choice Award for Best Animated Film Winner
Nominee
2015 Long Island International Film Expo – Nominated for Best Animation
Screening
2016 CreActive International Open Film Festival (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
2015 New Films Festival (Espinho, Portugal) – Screened as part of Best of Montreal International Animated Film Festival, Directors
2014 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (Toronto, ON, Canada) – Honourable Mention, Canadian Short Drama
2019 Nuuk International Film Festival (Nuuk, Greenland)
2020 Freeze Frame International Film Festival for Kids of All Ages (Winnipeg, MB, Canada)
Original illustrations for The Orphan and the Polar book:
Director’s Notes:
I have been gathering traditional Inuit stories for over 15 years. But when I encountered Sakiasi Qaunaq’s version of “The Orphan and the Polar Bear” in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, I knew this was a special story. This folktale contains so many of the story themes that you find in Inuit traditional stories—the mistreated orphan, supernatural intervention when someone is being abused, animals that can assume hidden form, and so forth. As well, this story gives you a glimpse of how Inuit traditionally felt about polar bears. In The Orphan and the Polar Bear, you can see the polar bear elder felt compassion for the orphan and possessed wisdom and skills (which he passed on to the orphan). And you can see that polar bear youth had similar respect for their elders as Inuit did. How polar bears are represented in this story is in stark contrast to the wolves in my last film, Amaqqut Nunaat: The Country of Wolves. There you see savage animals that have no respect for kith or kin.
I enjoy working in Inuit oral history and with traditional stories, as I feel there is more truth and meaning buried in these stories than I ever found in the history books I read in school.
In this film, I wanted to move you through this story as if it were almost embedded in the old ice. There seems to be a strange connection between the melting of the
Arctic ice and the erosion of Inuit traditional culture and values. Something very important is disappearing, and not enough people are paying attention.
Based on the book The Orphan and the Polar Bear by Sakiasi Qaunaq, published by Inhabit Media
9 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher
Screenplay by Neil Christopher
Narrated by Johnny Issaluk
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
Nominee
Screening
Original illustrations for The Orphan and the Polar book:
AMAQQUT NUNAAT: THE COUNTRY OF WOLVES (2011)
Completed
Where to Watch:
Join us on social media:
Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: Pinterest: It begins as an average hunting trip for two young men, but when they find themselves lost, the only safe haven to be found for miles—a mysterious village filled with the sounds of drum dancing and revelry—turns out to be even more dangerous than the frigid ocean.
Director’s Notes:
This story is dark and pensive, wandering through vast landscapes that are both terrifying and alluring, and that promise the hope of adventure and the fear of great loss and death. After a long day’s journey, what seems like a small grouping of rocks on a nearby hill becomes immense, otherworldly boulders. Giant, snow-covered peaks hundreds of metres high that stretch beyond sight will vanish with the change of a season. In the Far North, nothing is ever what it seems. Such is the methodology behind creating Amaqqut Nunaat: The Country of Wolves.
Although the animation is entirely hand-painted and illustrated, its inhabitants travel through the film with a natural and organic grace. Still paintings of Caribou, Wolf, and Man come to life and express themselves without the use of thousands of drawings. They do not look as though they were rigidly contorted and distorted by a computer, but rather puppeteered by a sensitive hand.
Illustrator Ramón Pérez’s art style suited this aesthetic; his work uses aggressive, hand-drawn ink lines that are minimalist and clean—much like the land of the North. His drawings are combined with real paper textures, earthy watercolour washes, and subtle lighting, creating a distinctively natural look.
This story is an ancient legend, and the hand-made quality represents the physical aspect of telling a story. We chose this minimalist style as we felt it would engage a contemporary Northern audience, but still leave a lot to the imagination, thus respecting the Inuit oral tradition. We wanted the film to be immersive with images and sound, but still require the viewer to creatively participate in the story experience.
The music and sound were arranged using traditional Inuk instruments, throat singing, and digitally manipulated vocalizations performed by Alexis O’Hara. Her work mirrors the overall philosophy of the film’s creation, as she uses voice and real instruments and then alters them using analog and digital technology to create unique soundscapes.
Most of the Foley and ambient sound elements were captured directly from the snowy landscape outside of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Musician and performer Beatrice Deer lent her voice talents to the narration.
12 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty
Screenplay adapted by Neil Christopher
Narrated by Beatrice Deer
“Breather” written and performed by Tanya Tagaq Gillis
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
2014 Tyrolean Independent Film Festival (Innsbruck, Australia)
2014 Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – Best Animated Short Winner
2012 CINE Las Americas International Film Festival (Austin, TX, USA) – Best Narrative Short Winner
2012 SENE Film, Music and Art Festival (Providence, RI, USA) – Best Animated Film Winner
2012 First Peoples’ Festival (Montreal, QC, Canada) – Best Animated Film Winner
2012 Cinestrange Film Festival (Braunschweig, Germany) – Best Short Film Winner
2012 Aliens to Zombies Film Festival (Hollywood, CA, USA) – Best Animation
2011 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (Toronto, ON, Canada) – Best Canadian Short Drama Winner and Cynthia Lickers-Sage Award for Emerging Talent
2011 American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show (San Francisco, CA, USA) – Best Animation Winner
Nominee
2015 Long Island International Film Expo (Bellmore, NY, USA) – Nominated for Best Animation
2017 Short. Sweet. Film Fest (Cleveland, OH, USA) – Honourable Mention in Animation
Screening
2016 CreActive International Open Film Festival (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
2012 Dawson City International Short Film Festival (Dawson City, YT, Canada)
Stills and Concept art:
Awards and Nominations:
Director’s Notes:
This story is dark and pensive, wandering through vast landscapes that are both terrifying and alluring, and that promise the hope of adventure and the fear of great loss and death. After a long day’s journey, what seems like a small grouping of rocks on a nearby hill becomes immense, otherworldly boulders. Giant, snow-covered peaks hundreds of metres high that stretch beyond sight will vanish with the change of a season. In the Far North, nothing is ever what it seems. Such is the methodology behind creating Amaqqut Nunaat: The Country of Wolves.
Although the animation is entirely hand-painted and illustrated, its inhabitants travel through the film with a natural and organic grace. Still paintings of Caribou, Wolf, and Man come to life and express themselves without the use of thousands of drawings. They do not look as though they were rigidly contorted and distorted by a computer, but rather puppeteered by a sensitive hand.
Illustrator Ramón Pérez’s art style suited this aesthetic; his work uses aggressive, hand-drawn ink lines that are minimalist and clean—much like the land of the North. His drawings are combined with real paper textures, earthy watercolour washes, and subtle lighting, creating a distinctively natural look.
This story is an ancient legend, and the hand-made quality represents the physical aspect of telling a story. We chose this minimalist style as we felt it would engage a contemporary Northern audience, but still leave a lot to the imagination, thus respecting the Inuit oral tradition. We wanted the film to be immersive with images and sound, but still require the viewer to creatively participate in the story experience.
The music and sound were arranged using traditional Inuk instruments, throat singing, and digitally manipulated vocalizations performed by Alexis O’Hara. Her work mirrors the overall philosophy of the film’s creation, as she uses voice and real instruments and then alters them using analog and digital technology to create unique soundscapes.
Most of the Foley and ambient sound elements were captured directly from the snowy landscape outside of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Musician and performer Beatrice Deer lent her voice talents to the narration.
12 minutes, 2D animation
Credits:
Directed by Neil Christopher
Produced by Louise Flaherty
Screenplay adapted by Neil Christopher
Narrated by Beatrice Deer
“Breather” written and performed by Tanya Tagaq Gillis
Awards, Nominations and Screenings:
Winner
Nominee
Screening
Stills and Concept art:
Awards and Nominations:Award Winner
2014 Tyrolean Independent Film Festival (Innsbruck, Australia)
2014 Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - Best Animated Short Winner
2012 CINE Las Americas International Film Festival (Austin, TX, USA) - Best Narrative Short Winner
2012 SENE Film, Music and Art Festival (Providence, RI, USA) - Best Animated Film Winner
2012 First Peoples’ Festival (Montreal, QC, Canada) - Best Animated Film Winner
2012 Cinestrange Film Festival (Braunschweig, Germany) - Best Short Film Winner
2012 Aliens to Zombies Film Festival (Hollywood, CA, USA) - Best Animation
2011 imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival (Toronto, ON, Canada) - Best Canadian Short Drama Winner and Cynthia Lickers-Sage Award for Emerging Talent
2011 American Indian Motion Picture Awards Show (San Francisco, CA, USA) - Best Animation Winner
Award Nominee
- 2015 Long Island International Film Expo (Bellmore, NY, USA) - Nominated for Best Animation
- 2017 Short. Sweet. Film Fest (Cleveland, OH, USA) - Honourable Mention in Animation
Screening
- 2016 CreActive International Open Film Festival (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
- 2012 Dawson City International Short Film Festival (Dawson City, YT, Canada)