Frédéric Back

Frédéric Back won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Short Film for "Crac!" in 1981 and "The Man Who Planted Trees" in 1987. "Crac!" was inspired by the history of Quebec, while "The Man Who Planted Trees" was adapted from a story by Jean Giono. Both films are renowned for their distinctive colored-pencil animation style.

Frédéric Back worked at the French-language arm of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Radio-Canada. He joined the graphics department in 1952 and spent his entire career there. It was within this state broadcaster that he produced his most celebrated animated short films.

Frédéric Back was famous for his intricate, hand-drawn animation using colored pencils. He drew directly on frosted acetate cells, creating a soft, luminous texture that gave his films a unique, painterly quality. This labor-intensive method was a hallmark of his work.

Yes, Back was a dedicated environmentalist whose values were deeply reflected in his work, especially "The Man Who Planted Trees." He designed a massive environmental mural for the Montreal Metro's Place-des-Arts station in 1992. His artistic legacy is often intertwined with his advocacy for nature and conservation.