Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman's Apprentice is a 2021 Canadian animated short film, directed by Zacharias Kunuk.David Venn, "Zacharias Kunuk explores Inuit shamanism in short animated film". Nunatsiaq News, August 26, 2021.
Summary A story about the traditional Inuit role of the shaman, the film centres on a grandmother (Madeline Ivalu) and granddaughter (Lucy Tulugarjuk) who travel to the underworld in an effort to heal an ill young hunter (Jacky Qrunnut).Derek Neary, "Zacharias Kunuk examines shamanism in new animated film" . Nunavut News, August 19, 2021.
Release The film was released alongside a children's picture book of the story, written by Kunuk and illustrated by Megan Kyak-Monteith.Allison Mills, "The Shaman’s Apprentice by Zacharias Kunuk; Megan Kyak-Monteith (ill.)" . Quill & Quire, July 2021. The book was published in both English and Inuktitut; the latter edition won the 2021 Indigenous Voices Award for work published in an indigenous language.Vicky Qiao, "Nathan Adler, Bevann Fox and jaye simpson among winners for 2021 Indigenous Voices Awards" . CBC Books, June 22, 2021.
The film premiered at the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Award. It had its Canadian premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Canadian Short Film.Steve Pond, "‘Belfast’ Wins Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award" . TheWrap, September 18, 2021.
Reception The film was named to TIFF's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list for 2021.Norman Wilner, "TIFF announces Canada’s Top Ten films of 2021" . Now, December 6, 2021. It was on a shortlist for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for the 94th Academy Awards but ultimately was not nominated,Pete Hammond, "Oscars Shortlists Out: ‘No Time To Die’ And ‘Dune’ Lead Mentions; France’s Palme D’Or Winner Snubbed" . Deadline Hollywood, December 21, 2021. and won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Animated Short at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022.Greg David, "Corner Gas Animated, The Hardy Boys, Mary Berg and Canada’s Drag Race win during Night 3 of the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards" . TV, eh?, April 6, 2022.
It also won Best Independent Short Film at the Festival Stop Montreal.The Shaman's Apprentice — Stop Motion Department
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