In celebration of the Canadian cartoon classic The Raccons‘ 40th anniversary, creator Kevin Gillis will appear at the Ottawa International Animation Festival’s (OIAF) Animation Exposé for an exclusive behind-the-scenes talk about the series. The session will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, at the Babs Asper Theatre in the National Arts Centre (NAC).
The Artist Talk, moderated by CBC Ottawa’s Omar Dabaghi-Pacheco, will feature Gillis alongside Ottawa writer and animation historian Dan Lalande. They will discuss the story of how the series came to life, from its earliest concept stages and partnerships with CBC, to the music, animation and values that shaped a generation of viewers. The Raccoons was first introduced as a Christmas special in 1980, followed by three more specials, before taking off as a cult hit series from 1985 to 1991.
“The Raccoons holds a special place in my childhood, and forty years later, it’s still a Canadian animation classic that continues to inspire new generations. Its charming portrayal of Canadian critters in the Evergreen Forest blends heart, humour, and timeless storytelling,” says Amanda Misko, the OIAF’s Industry and Community Programming Manager. “I’m honoured that OIAF is presenting this beloved series at Animation Exposé alongside its creator, Kevin Gillis, celebrating its rich history and enduring impact.”
A rare chance to hear directly from the creator behind a true Canadian animation classic, the panel will also highlight the 2023 4K restoration of The Raccoons and discuss how the show continues to discover new audiences on platforms such as YouTube, Boomerang, CRAVE and BritBox. Following the Artist Talk, Gillis will be available for a free signing session at 12:45 p.m. in the Canal Foyer of the NAC.
A writer, director, musician and executive producer, Gillis has produced several globally successful media projects, including The Raccoons (1985-1991), RoboCop: The Series (1994), Atomic Betty (2004-2008) and Disney’s Jimmy Two-Shoes (2009-2011). His shows have been broadcast in over 180 countries and have been nominated for and/or won a number of awards.
Animation Exposé is a one-day event at the OIAF that features Artist Talks, recruiting opportunities, an exhibitors fair with animation schools and studios, and live sketching activities. Attendees can access Animation Exposé Artist Talks with a valid OIAF pass or tickets ordered exclusively through Ticketmaster.
OIAF 2025 will be held September 24-28 in Ottawa. Visit animationfestival.ca for more information.
