NFB’s ‘Piluk’ Debuts at Locarno, Embracing Pencil-Drawn Animation and Indigenous Voice

At Locarno’s Pardi di Domani selection, the National Film Board of Canada presented ‘Piluk’, a short animated work crafted by multidisciplinary artists Marc Séguin and Elisapie Isaac. Over 8,000 drawings made with pen, charcoal and pencil form the visual backbone, while a throat-singing soundtrack provides all vocal expression. The story tracks a wing-backed girl named Piluk as she moves through countryside to an unnamed city, caring for animals, with no spoken dialogue.

Producers Marc Bertrand and Jelena Popović highlighted the NFB’s role in guiding the creators through animation for the first time, preserving their artistic voice and supporting Indigenous storytelling. Animation lead Parissa Mohit and technical director Eric Pouliot oversaw the production, ensuring the minimalist aesthetic matched the creators’ intent. The film reflects the board’s broader commitment to decolonizing its practices by empowering Indigenous filmmakers.