The series also pioneered a specific NFB style of : slow, deliberate, and meditative. These are not hyper-kinetic cartoons. They trust children to sit with a mood, listen to a narrator, and absorb a lesson without loud sound effects every two seconds. Where Are They Now? For years, Talespinners was trapped on VHS or 16mm film reels in school board libraries. Fortunately, the NFB has done an incredible job digitizing its catalog.

The Talespinners series is not just nostalgia bait. It is a masterclass in how to animate a good story. Pour some hot chocolate, turn off the lights, and let the NFB take you back to the best film day of the school year. Have a favorite Talespinners film you remember from your childhood? Let us know in the comments below!

If you grew up in Canada during the 1980s or 1990s, there is a specific, nostalgic warmth associated with the whir of a film projector in a darkened classroom. Among the most beloved reels to emerge from that projector were the short films from the National Film Board of Canada’s (NFB) Talespinners series.

But what exactly were these films, and why do they hold such a cherished place in the hearts of a generation? Released between 1978 and 1984, Talespinners is a collection of 14 animated short films produced by the NFB. Unlike the abstract or experimental work the NFB is also known for, this series had a specific, child-friendly mission: to bring multicultural folk tales and classic children’s stories to life.

The series was the brainchild of producer and director Eugene Fedorenko . Their goal was to create high-quality, literary animation that respected the intelligence of young viewers while exposing them to diverse cultural traditions. The Crown Jewel: The Sweater You cannot discuss Talespinners without mentioning its undisputed masterpiece: The Sweater (1980), directed by Sheldon Cohen.

Narrated by the legendary Montreal Canadiens goalie , this 10-minute film is a rite of passage for Canadian children. Based on Roch Carrier’s short story The Hockey Sweater , it tells the tragicomic tale of a young boy in rural Quebec who idolizes Maurice "Rocket" Richard. When his mother orders him a new Canadiens sweater from Eaton’s catalogue, a mistake sends him a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey instead.