Canada’s Two-Time Oscar-Nominated Animator Cordell Barker in Production on ‘The Anta Claus of the South Pole,’ an Alternative Christmas Special (EXCLUSIVE)

Reuniting Cordell Barker with his long-standing production partners Tonic DNA and the National Film Board  of Canada, the holiday special is tracking for a 2026 release

By John Hopewell

John Hopewell

Chief International Correspondent

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Canadian animator Cordell Barker, creator of the Oscar-nominated short films, “The Cat Came Back” and “Strange Invaders,” is now in production on “The Anta Claus of the South Pole.” Release is scheduled for 2026.

The Tonic DNA/National Film Board of Canada co-production is produced in association with Crave, a division of Bell Media Inc., with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.

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