Imprint

20254 min 59 secFilm: Animation

Direction: Duncan Major

Production: Maral Mohammadian (National Film Board of Canada)Robert McLaughlin (National Film Board of Canada)

Script: Duncan Major

A National Film Board of Canada production.

Chance encounters can leave an enduring mark, much like ink on paper. At 13, Duncan Major took a summer job as a printer’s devil. This apprenticeship with artist Tara Bryan awakened a passion for letterpress printing that would shape his life. Years later, in her memory, Duncan has created Imprint—a poetic, handmade animated film that serves as a heartfelt tribute of gratitude and farewell. The film captures the enduring bond between mentor and mentee, inviting viewers to reflect upon the bittersweet joy of cherished moments, even in the face of loss. Using the letterpress and craft material she passed down to him, Duncan brings hand-printed art to life with vibrant animation. The film is an homage to tactile materials and the surprises of the creative process, blending evocative imagery with a beautifully crafted soundtrack. At its core, Imprint reminds us that art is not just what we create, but also the lasting influence we leave on those who follow in our footsteps.

Other versions


Subject categories


  • Arts > Arts and Artists
  • Psychology and Psychiatry > Interpersonal Relationships

Credits


writer
Duncan Major
director
Duncan Major
animator
Duncan Major
music
Romesh Thavanathan
sound design
Romesh Thavanathan
editing
Duncan Major
Xi Feng
technical direction
Mathieu Tremblay
Éloi Champagne
technical coordination
Luc Binette
online editing
Luca di Gioacchino
foley
Karla Baumgardner
foley recording
Geoffrey Mitchell
re-recording
Jean-Paul Vialard
line production
Laetitia Seguin
production coordination
Dominique Forget
studio administration
Victoria Angell
studio operations manager
Camille Fillion
marketing
Geneviève Bérard
Émilie Ryan
publicist
Nadine Viau
producer
Maral Mohammadian
executive producer
Robert McLaughlin