The NFB has tied the knot with Cordell Barker, hiring the celebrated animator as a creative consultant for its Prairie and Northwest centers.

Barker, whose 1988 short The Cat Came Back remains one of the board’s most popular films, will advise NFB producers on animated projects in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. His work will cover all genres of animation, pairing Barker with new and experienced filmmakers.

‘I’m thrilled to have one of the great animators of the world working with us,’ said the NFB’s Cindy Witten in a release. ‘His films are artful and fun, and at the same time, socially critical and deeply human. Cordell will bring all the same qualities to our team and our body of work.’

Barker’s previous work through the board includes the 2001 short Strange Invaders — which like Cat drew an Oscar nomination — and the more recent Runaway, which missed with the Academy but won best animated film at the recent Genies.