The name Michael Hirsh might not have the same mainstream recognition as Walt Disney, but it probably should. Dubbed the father of Canadian animation, Hirsh is the powerhouse behind some of the most notable and lasting animated programs, from shows like Babar, Franklin, and Little Bear, to animated series for Star Wars. His work has long captivated the imaginations of countless children and adults alike.
Today, the animation industry is undergoing a transformation. No longer reserved strictly for children’s cartoons, animation is taking on a much wider focus, encompassing adult themes, complex narratives, and a more globalized position in the entertainment world. What does this mean for stories that have yet to be told through the lens of animation? Can history help us make more sense of this ever-changing entertainment landscape?
In Michael Hirsh’s book, Animation Nation: How We Built a Cartoon Empire, he takes readers through the whirlwind experience of building Nelvana, the world’s leading independent animation company. This is the story of how Hirsh’s vision kickstarted Canada’s achievements in animation and launched a body of work that stands as a testament to the power of creative, heartfelt storytelling.
On September 23, FOLCS hosted a virtual Conversation with one of animation’s greats, Michael Hirsh.
This event is produced in partnership with the New York Film Academy.
Michael Hirsh
Producer
Michael Hirsh is a Belgian-born Canadian producer, TV executive, entrepreneur, and author. He has been attributed to building from the ground up the Canadian animation industry and, more specifically, award-winning children’s programming since the 1980s. He co-founded Nelvana, a Canadian based animation and entertainment studio in 1971 with partners Patrick Loubert and Clive A. Smith producing numerous cartoons that established Nelvana as a leader in the industry including Little Bear, Franklin, Babar, Max & Ruby, The Magic School Bus, Care Bears, Adventures of TinTin, Inspector Gadget, Droids and Ewoks, among many, many others. After Corus Entertainment’s acquisition of Nelvana, Hirsh became CEO of Cookie Jar Entertainment, which created numerous highly popular children’s shows, among them Arthur, Johnny Test, and Strawberry Shortcake. When Cookie Jar was acquired by DHX Media (now WildBrain Studios) Hirsh became the Executive Chairman of the company, the largest supplier of kids programming to online streaming services as well as a leader in production and licensing and merchandising for children. Three years after the acquisition by DHX Media, Hirsh left the company to serve as CEO and chairman of WOW! Unlimited Media from 2015 to December 2023.