Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Polish-Canadian Duo Wins Oscar for Animated Short

3/17/2026

39 2

Summary

Story summary

Maciek Szczerbowski, a Polish-Canadian director who emigrated to Canada at ten, and his partner Chris Lavis won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for The Girl Who Cried Pearls on March 15, 2026.
The win marks a return after their 2007 nomination.
The film, inspired by a prop necklace, is set in early 20th-century Montreal and uses stop-motion.
It premiered at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

1 of 1

Story summary

Maciek Szczerbowski, a Polish-Canadian director who emigrated to Canada at ten, and his partner Chris Lavis won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for The Girl Who Cried Pearls on March 15, 2026.
The win marks a return after their 2007 nomination.
The film, inspired by a prop necklace, is set in early 20th-century Montreal and uses stop-motion.
It premiered at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.