From Far Away

20006 min 39 secFilm: Animation, Children's film

G

Direction: Shira AvniSerene El-haj Daoud

Production: Michael FukushimaIsobel MarksDavid Verrall

Script: Sugith Varughese

This touching story tells of Saoussan, a young girl struggling to adjust to a new world after being uprooted from her wartorn homeland. She has come to seek a quieter and safer life in Canada, although memories of war and death linger, and she must cope with a new language and culture. From Far Away speaks to the power within us all to adapt like Saoussan and to welcome a newcomer.

From Far Away is part of the NFB's Talespinners collection. Created for children aged five to nine, Talespinners uses vibrant animation to bring popular stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen.

Other versions


Subject categories


  • Literature and Language > Adaptations of Literary WorksAnimation based on LiteratureChildren's Literature
  • Literature and Language - Canada > Adaptations of Literary WorksCanadian LiteratureChildren's Materials
  • Social Issues > ChildrenImmigrant Experience
  • Children and Youth > Cultural GroupsWar and Youth
  • Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism > Immigration Experience and Social AdjustmentIntercultural Relations
  • War, Conflict and Peace > War and Youth
  • Languages > English as a Second Language

Credits


director
Shira Avni
Serene El-haj Daoud
animation
Shira Avni
Serene El-haj Daoud
producer
Michael Fukushima
executive producer
Isobel Marks
David Verrall
script
Sugith Varughese
infographics
Catherine Lafortune
editing
Gordon Hashimoto
sound editing
Jean-Baptiste Roger
sound design
Normand Roger
music
Normand Roger
re-recording
Serge Boivin
Jean Paul Vialard
voice
Jesse Vinet

Awards


  • Dick and Ada Bird Award for Best Animated Short Film - with a cash prize of 200$Flicks International Children Film Festival
  • Golden Sheaf Award - Category: Best Children's ProductionYorkton Film Festival
  • Honorable Mention - Category: Children and Youth International Film and Video Festival
  • Special MentionFestival Internacional de Cine para la Infancia y la Juventud
  • Special Mention of the Jury for Excellence in Direction and WritingYouth Media Alliance