Mercury Filmworks

Season 9 of Rick and Morty premieres on May 24!

March is a month to celebrate women, honouring their invaluable contributions, creativity, and impact across various industries, including animation.

This month, we spotlight recent works by Canadian women animators whose storytelling inspires and transcends boundaries. Let’s elevate the trailblazing voices of women in animation and recognize the powerful stories they create.

Today, we want to appreciate the groundbreaking work of Domee Shi, a Canadian animator and filmmaker best known for directing Pixar’s Bao and Turning Red. She is the first woman with sole directing credit on a Pixar Feature.

Turning Red follows 13-year-old Mei Lee in 2002 Toronto as she discovers she transforms into a red panda when emotional. Mei ultimately embraces her identity as she struggles between family expectations and personal desires. The film explores themes of adolescence, independence, and cultural heritage.

Thank you Domee Shi! We celebrate your talent and contributions to the animation industry.

Hair Love is an independent animated short film directed by Matthew A. Cherry, Everett Downing Jr., and Bruce W. Smith. Written by Cherry, it tells the heartfelt story of a father learning to style his daughter’s hair for the first time. This 2019 film was made possible through a successful 2017 Kickstarter campaign and later adapted into a children’s book illustrated by Vashti Harrison. Hair Love received widespread praise and won Best Animated Short Film at the 92nd Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards. Its impact led to the creation of Young Love, a spin-off TV series that premiered in 2023.

Hair Love is a milestone in animation, authentically portraying Black hair and family. It's positive representation challenges stereotypes and proves Black stories are vital, resonating with audiences and shaping the industry.

Celebrating trailblazing voices in animation.