The film, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, featured the work of three Seneca graduates from the Faculty of Communication, Art & Design, including animators Brendan Beesley, a graduate of the school’s 3D Animation program, and Graham Finley, a graduate of the Animation program. Deana Marsigliese, another Seneca Animation grad, served as the film’s art director.

“It’s always rewarding and satisfying to see our graduates accomplishing their dreams and leaving their marks. These three have been doing amazing work for quite some time now and I’m sure there’s lots more to come,” said Mark Jones, Chair of the School of Creative Arts & Animation, in a release.

Vancouver-based story artist Pearl Low was also part of the team that brought the film Hair Love to the screen, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. The touching Sony Pictures Animation short is about a young Black girl’s acceptance of her naturally curly hair. Low, who is of Chinese-Jamaican heritage, has explored the subject herself in autobiographical comic Tension.

WE WON!!!!!!!!
Im in tears, I’m really just so grateful to have been part of the team to create something so beautiful and impactful. Congrats to @MatthewACherry @KarenRToliver @Mr_Scribbles @BruceAlmighteee @iFrankAbney and the rest of the team for making this a reality. pic.twitter.com/m2Vvn0cbrB

— Pearl Low | 盧寶珠 (@Fumi_chun) February 10, 2020

Subscribe Now – Free!

Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 25 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.

The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.

Let’s get started right now.