The National Film Board of Canada
He’s back, and no, I’m not talking about the feline who stole my heart back in the day. Coming soon from Cordell Barker is The Anta Claus of the South Pole. While not everyone may recognize his name, many animation fans know his work. Barker crafted the wonderful animated short The Cat Came Back, a tale about Mr. Johnson, a man pushed to the edge by a feline who keeps finding a way to this hooman’s home. He wants nothing to do with the cat and, much like Wile E. Coyote, becomes increasingly inventive in his attempts to get rid of it rather than simply accepting its presence.
But when cartoon logic rules the universe, every trip home reveals the critter waiting inside, tearing up a carpet, couch, or something even worse. This short is hand-drawn and surprisingly elegant. Some viewers might liken it to an old Tex Avery cartoon. When every gag lands like a mousetrap with a marching band inside it, the shock and surprise is all worth it. And when the beat is set to the folk tune of the same name, we know that this cat is not using up all of his nine lives.
Barker has a knack for turning escalating chaos into comedy, and every homage he makes shows why he is one of Canada’s masters of animated catastrophe.
And he’s created far more than a single classic for The National Film Board of Canada. Strange Invaders also earned him an Oscar nomination. His films have become audience favourites, often garnering millions of views on the NFB’s website, YouTube channel, and other international platforms. (If I Was God… alone has accumulated more than 22 million views on The New Yorker‘s YouTube channel.) His latest NFB film, Good Luck to You All, is a whimsical exploration of artificial intelligence.
His later works, like Runaway (see above) and If I Was God…, continue exploring a recurring question: what happens when human beings get just enough control to make everything worse? The latter follows a boy daydreaming during a frog dissection at school, and things spiral from there. Those wondering when Barker will deliver something new won’t have to wait much longer. The Anta Claus of the South Pole, an animated holiday special, is planned for release in 2026.
Howard Huxham, executive producer, said, “When Cordell Barker first pitched his vision for an alternative Christmas film, it immediately stood out as something very special. Seeing The Anta Claus of the South Pole finally come to life is incredibly rewarding, especially as our first collaboration with the NFB. Beneath the humour and adventure is a heartfelt story about belonging, acceptance and finding your place in the world. We hope audiences welcome Anta Claus into their holiday traditions.”
From the Press Release:
Produced as a 24-minute TV special, The Anta Claus is designed for families, children aged 8 to 12 and anyone who enjoys a fresh and imaginative take on the classic tale of Santa Claus. A Tonic DNA/NFB co-production, the film is produced in association with Crave, a division of Bell Media Inc., with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.
The lead character is voiced in English by acclaimed Canadian actor Tyrone Benskin and in French by comedian and actor Anthony Kavanagh, who has enjoyed great success in Quebec and Europe and also voices several supporting roles. The score is composed by celebrated Montreal musician Martin Léon, known for his work on My Salinger Year, The Good Lie and the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar.
The Anta Claus is being distributed by the NFB and has already been acquired in Canada by Bell Media for Crave. The project is also attracting interest from international distributors, sales agents and broadcasters.
About The Anta Claus of the South Pole
(24-minute TV special)
Executive Producers: Howard Huxham (Tonic DNA), Christine Noël (NFB)
Producers: Christine Noël (NFB), Jocelyne Perrier (NFB)
Envious of his northern counterpart, the Anta Claus of the South Pole embarks on a penguin-powered journey to uncover the secret of a flawless Christmas. Along the way, he learns that the true spirit of the holiday lies not in perfection but in the lovable community of oddballs he left behind. This 2D-animated special brings a fresh and delightfully quirky twist to the classic holiday tale, combining Tonic DNA’s renowned creative craftsmanship with the NFB’s long-standing excellence in innovative storytelling.
About Filmmaker Cordell Barker
Cordell Barker is a two-time Oscar-nominated animator known for his long association with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), where his films have earned more than 50 international awards. In addition to his continued work with the organization, he has contributed to numerous national and international television commercials. His films have become audience favourites, often garnering millions of views on the NFB’s website, YouTube channel and other international platforms.
About Tonic DNA
Tonic DNA is a multi-award-winning independent animation studio based in Montreal, with more than four decades dedicated to the craft of animation. With a track record for quality work, Tonic DNA is committed to innovation and storytelling that touches the heart while pushing creative boundaries through projects that blend art, humour and depth.
