Legendary Canadian ‘The Cat Came Back,’ ‘Strange Invaders’ Filmmaker Cordell Barker Working On Holiday Special With Tonic DNA, NFB

Tonic DNA and the National Film Board of Canada are teaming up with Canadian animation legend Cordell Barker on a new holiday television special, The Anta Claus of the South Pole, a 24-minute 2D-animated production slated for release later this year.

The special centers on Anta Claus, the South Pole’s answer to Santa Claus, who sets out on a penguin-powered quest to discover why his northern rival enjoys such success. According to the official synopsis, the journey leads him to realize that the true meaning of Christmas lies with the eccentric community he left behind rather than in achieving a perfect holiday.

For Barker, whose films The Cat Came Back and Strange Invaders both earned Oscar nominations, the project has been a long time coming. In a release, he explained:

I’ve wanted to make this film for a very long time. I love working with anti-hero characters. Anta Claus is spilling over with character flaws, idiosyncrasies, jealousy, and frustration. All those imperfections and explosive behavior come together to create a charmingly flawed individual that audiences will enjoy watching as he finds his place in the world.

The film marks the first collaboration between Montreal-based studio Tonic DNA and the National Film Board of Canada. Executive producer Howard Huxham described the special as “a heartfelt story about belonging, acceptance, and finding your place in the world.”

English-language actor Tyrone Benskin voices the title character, while French-language comedian and actor Anthony Kavanagh leads the French version and also voices supporting characters. Music is composed by Martin Léon.

The NFB will distribute the special, which has already been acquired in Canada by Crave and is currently being shopped internationally.