Frédéric Back, OC, CQ (born April 8, 1924) is an award-winning Canadian animator.

Born in Saarbrücken, Germany, he emigrated to Canada in 1948.

In 1952, he joined the graphics department of Radio-Canada and has remained there since.

He created a massive stained glass mural entitled L’histoire de la musique à Montréal ("history of music in Montreal") at the Place-des-Arts Metro station in Montreal. Unveiled on December 20, 1967, this stained glass was the first work of art to be commissioned for the Montreal metro system.

L’histoire de la musique à Montréal ("history of music in Montreal") at the Place-des-Arts Metro station in Montreal.

In 1980, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film for his film Tout rien (All Nothing in English). In 1982, he won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film, for his film, Crac. In 1987, he won his second Academy Award for Animated Short Film for L'Homme qui plantait des arbres (The Man Who Planted Trees). In 1994, he was nominated again for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film, for his film Le fleuve aux grandes eaux (Mighty River in English).

He was nominated for a 1989 Governor General's Awards in the Children's Literature - Illustration category for L'Homme qui plantait des arbres.

In 2004, he was awarded the Eco-Hero Media Award from the Planet in Focus film festival.

In 1989, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec. In 1990, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Like many other intellectuals and artists of a high level, Frédéric Back is a vegetarian and animal rights activist. He often says : "Animal are my friends and I do not eat my friends". He gave conferences on the subject and participated to manifestations to support animal rights.

He founded : "Société Québécoise pour la Défense des Animaux" a Society to protect animals.

[edit] References

• Olivier Cotte (2007) Secrets of Oscar-winning animation: Behind the scenes of 13 classic short animations. (Making of L'homme qui plantait des arbres (film)|The Man Who Planted Trees) Focal Press. ISBN 978-0240520704

[edit] External links

• Frédéric Back, agir ensemble | caring together
• Frédéric Back at the Internet Movie Database
• Frédéric Back at The Canadian Encyclopedia