National Film Board of Canada Brings Oscar Nominated Short Films and Quebec Premieres to REGARD Festival in Saguenay

NFB Returns to REGARD With a Bold Slate of Shorts.

The National Film Board of Canada is heading back to one of North America’s premier short-film showcases with a lineup that blends award-winning veterans and rising creative voices.

When REGARD – Saguenay International Short Film Festival kicks off in Saguenay from March 18 to 22, 2026, audiences can expect five NFB productions spanning animation and documentary—two of them premiering in Quebec for the first time.

This year’s selection highlights filmmakers who have already earned Oscar nominations alongside emerging artists carving out bold new territory.

It’s a mix that reflects the NFB’s long-standing reputation for experimentation and storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll.

Familiar Names With Oscar Pedigree

Among the most anticipated entries is The Girl Who Cried Pearls, directed by two-time Academy Award nominees Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski.

The stop-motion fable, set in early 20th-century Montreal, tells the haunting story of a sorrowful girl, a devoted boy, and how unchecked greed can twist even the purest intentions.

The film recently earned the NFB its 79th Oscar nomination and has already toured more than 40 festivals worldwide, collecting over a dozen awards and honors. Its creative team includes respected performers like Colm Feore and James Hyndman, with music by Patrick Watson.

Also in the Youth Competition is Good Luck to You All, the latest animated work from two-time Oscar nominee Cordell Barker.

The short balances whimsy and dread as it explores artificial intelligence through the innocent play of a young girl—who may unknowingly hold humanity’s fate in her hands. The film has already claimed a prize at the Los Angeles Animation Festival.

Emerging Filmmakers Step Into the Spotlight

The Official Competition will host the Quebec premiere of Bisou Sauvage, an animated dark comedy by Lebanese-Canadian illustrator Bahij Jaroudi.

Running under three minutes, the short skewers the modern privilege of boredom as global crises unfold in the background. The film debuted earlier this year at the Victoria Film Festival.

Meanwhile, documentary storytelling takes center stage with The Muse by Wanda Nolan. The film follows a 74-year-old man, Robert Tilley, and photographer Ting Ting Chen on a road trip across Newfoundland that blossoms into an unexpected cross-generational bond.

After premiering at the Atlantic International Film Festival, the film captured the award for Best Atlantic Short Documentary.

A Powerful Reflection on History and Memory

Rounding out the NFB’s presence is reXistence, a documentary by Will Prosper screening as part of the festival’s Mémoires program.

Crafted entirely from archival footage, the nine-minute film confronts Canada’s buried history of Afro-descendant communities. It’s both a meditation on erased memory and a political statement—less a history lesson than a call to awareness in the present moment.

The Mémoires program is scheduled for March 19 at 1 p.m., offering festivalgoers a chance to experience the film outside of competition.

Why REGARD Matters

Founded in Saguenay, Quebec, REGARD has grown into one of the continent’s most influential short film festivals. Each year it draws filmmakers, distributors and industry insiders eager to discover emerging talent.

For the NFB, participation isn’t just tradition—it’s an opportunity to showcase the range of voices supported by Canada’s public film institution.

From handcrafted stop-motion to socially conscious documentary, this year’s selections underline how short films continue to serve as a testing ground for bold ideas and visual experimentation.

Impact and Consequences

The NFB’s strong presence at REGARD reinforces Canada’s global reputation in animation and documentary filmmaking.

High-profile nominations and festival awards elevate both the filmmakers and the institution, opening doors for wider international distribution.

For emerging directors, festival exposure can mean career-defining connections. A strong showing at REGARD often leads to additional festival invitations, funding opportunities and, in some cases, Academy Award qualification.

On a broader cultural level, films like reXistence and Bisou Sauvage spark necessary conversations—about memory, injustice, privilege and technology’s growing role in society.

What’s Next?

With REGARD set for mid-March, attention will turn to audience reactions and jury decisions.

Awards from the festival could further boost the Oscar momentum already surrounding The Girl Who Cried Pearls.

Beyond REGARD, these films are expected to continue circulating on the international festival circuit. Many will eventually become available through the NFB’s online screening platforms, expanding access to viewers across Canada and beyond.

Summary

The National Film Board of Canada is returning to the REGARD festival in Saguenay with five short films that blend celebrated talent and emerging voices.

The lineup includes Oscar-nominated animators, award-winning documentaries, and two Quebec premieres. Together, the films reflect the diversity, technical artistry and social engagement that define the NFB’s current slate.

Bulleted Takeaways

• The National Film Board of Canada will present five short films at REGARD in Saguenay from March 18–22, 2026.
• Two films—Bisou Sauvage and Good Luck to You All—will have their Quebec premieres.
• The Girl Who Cried Pearls recently earned an Academy Award nomination and has won more than 11 awards.
• Veteran animator Cordell Barker returns with a youth-focused short exploring AI themes.
• Documentaries The Muse and reXistence highlight personal storytelling and historical reflection.
• REGARD remains one of North America’s most important festivals dedicated exclusively to short films.