Montreal filmmakers, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ director among Canadians up for Oscars – Brandon Sun

Montreal filmmakers, ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ director among Canadians up for Oscars By: Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Sunday, Mar. 15, 2026 Advertisement Advertise with us Tweet Share Print Email Read Later Some left-field Montreal directors, a record-breaking animator and a team of veteran horror-film artisans are among the Canadians in the running at tonight’s Oscars. Read this article for free: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. or Already have an account? Log in here » We need your support!Local journalism needs your support! As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. Subscribe Now or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! To continue reading, please subscribe: Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional $1 for the first 4 weeks* Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper Start now No thanks *Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks. Some left-field Montreal directors, a record-breaking animator and a team of veteran horror-film artisans are among the Canadians in the running at tonight’s Oscars. Read unlimited articles for free today: Email Address: Password: I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. or Already have an account? Log in here » Some left-field Montreal directors, a record-breaking animator and a team of veteran horror-film artisans are among the Canadians in the running at tonight’s Oscars. Montreal filmmaker Alison McAlpine is nominated for best documentary short for “Perfectly a Strangeness,” her hypnotic film following three donkeys exploring a semi-abandoned observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Meanwhile, fellow Montrealers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski are up for best animated short film for “The Girl Who Cried Pearls.” The duo were previously nominated in the category — 18 years ago — for their debut short “Madame Tutli-Putli.” Oscar nominated filmmaker Alison McAlpine poses in Montreal on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi In the best animated feature category, Korean-Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang is nominated for co-writing and co-directing Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters,” which is the most-viewed film in the streamer’s history. She’ll compete against Toronto’s Domee Shi for co-writing and co-directing Pixar’s “Elio.” Canadians behind the look of “Frankenstein” are also up for makeup and hairstyling awards — Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey. The production design team on the film also received a nomination, including production designer Tamara Deverell and set decorator Shane Vieau. The film is also nominated for best picture, which includes Canadian producer J. Miles Dale among its nominees. McAlpine says it’s been “a huge honour and a wild adventure” to see “Perfectly a Strangeness” compete for an Academy Award. “It’s wild. It’s the out-of-the-box indie film. It comes out of nowhere.” Several members of the film’s small crew plan to attend the ceremony together, paying their own way. The donkeys, however, won’t be hitting the red carpet. “I’d love that,” McAlpine laughs. “But I think a poor donkey in L.A. would be traumatized.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2026. Advertisement Advertise With Us Tweet Share Print Email Read Later Report Error Submit a Tip