{"id":17738,"date":"2026-10-24T21:39:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T21:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sislercreate.com\/Animation\/?page_id=17738"},"modified":"2026-10-26T15:55:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T15:55:49","slug":"program-highlights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sislercreate.com\/Animation\/program-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Program Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Decade of Breaking Barriers and Creating Opportunity<\/strong> @ Sisler<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Since 2015, Sisler High School\u2019s CREATE Animation Program has connected public education with the animation industry\u2014and given students more than a front-row seat. They learn from professionals, contribute to real productions and begin building creative careers while they are still in school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results are pretty remarkable: more than $5,000,000.00 in scholarships awarded to 178 graduates between 2015 and 2026, <\/strong>student contributions to a Peabody Award-winning Netflix film, paid internships, international conference presentations and animation work for a feature film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, CREATE has spent a decade proving what can happen when talent meets opportunity\u2014and gets access to the right tools, mentors and people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CREATE Animation Timeline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

2015<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Opening Doors to Post-Secondary Education<\/strong> – Vancouver Film School Scholarship Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vancouver Film School became CREATE\u2019s first post-secondary partner to establish dedicated scholarships for students. Between 2015 and 2020, 62 Sisler graduates received more than $840,000 in scholarships, helping make further education and creative careers more attainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is a lot of tuition barriers moved out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local Artists Inspire the Next Generation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artists Earl Cabuhat, Doug Morrow, Alain Delannoy, Anita Lebeau and Chris Darnbrough shared their professional experiences and creative journeys with students, offering a glimpse into what a creative career can actually look like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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201<\/strong>6<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Building Industry Connections<\/strong> Learning from Pixar and Disney<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Lawrence Levy, former Pixar CFO, spoke about Pixar\u2019s evolution and his experience working with Steve Jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pixar CFO Dr Lawerence Levy at Sisler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trent Correy, now a director at Disney Animation, also visited Sisler to talk about working on Frozen, Moana and Big Hero 6. We learned drew caricatures and took in his advice on the importance of creating your stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trent Correy and Kara Vallega<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

201<\/strong>7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jam Filled Animation Partnership Begins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2017, Jam Filled Animation began to support our students through masterclasses, mentorship, short-film development and studio experiences. This was kicked off by a 2 day onsite masterclass on world and character design with Production Designer Tom Pajdlhauser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Production Designer Tom Pajdlhauser at Sisler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The partnership has helped bring the working world of animation closer to the classroom\u2014without requiring students to sneak into a studio tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toon Boom Animation Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toon Boom began supporting CREATE through professional presentations, masterclasses, technology and ongoing program collaboration, giving students access to tools and knowledge used throughout the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

201<\/strong>8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The OG Create kid comes back to inspire the next generation <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Award winning alumni, Madison Thomas, comes back to Sisler to spark the flame of creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create students begin the #DesigningOurTomorrow w\/ Cambridge University, Mayo Clinic & the University of Winnipeg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

201<\/strong>9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Schroeder Foundation Invests in CREATE<\/strong> – Removing Barriers and Strengthening Industry Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That combination mattered. Students gained access to educational opportunities, professional connections and industry experiences that might otherwise have been out of reach. The result: more students able to imagine a future in animation\u2014and take practical steps toward it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Schroeder Foundation began supporting Sisler CREATE, helping expand opportunities for students through full-tuition scholarships and investments in the program\u2019s long-term success. The support went beyond financial assistance. The Foundation also helped strengthen the bridge between education and industry by supporting an industry liaison, a program advisor, industry trips and technology support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Visit from an Avengers Animation Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jan Philip Cramer, Head of Animation on Avengers: Infinity War<\/em> and Avengers: Endgame<\/em>, visited Sisler in November 2019 and shared insights into the animation behind the blockbuster films. Yes, the conversation included superheroes. No, students did not have to save the world before lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sisler competed in 24 Hours Animation Contest for the first time, 2 of our high school teams finish in top 50 against colleges (not high school division created at this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20<\/strong>20<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cops and Robbers<\/strong> \u2014 CREATE Students Contribute to an Award-Winning Netflix Film<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Five CREATE post-high animation students contributed animated scenes to Cops and Robbers<\/em>, a Netflix short film addressing racism and racial injustice through spoken-word poetry by Broadway actor Timothy Ware-Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Released in 2020, the film was long-listed for an Academy Award and won a Peabody Award in 2021. For the students involved, it was a chance to contribute to a production with real creative weight\u2014and international recognition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Foundational Nickelodeon Partnership – The OTP is launched <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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NiCE (Nickelodeon Community Efforts) established an educational partnership with CREATE, connecting students with professional artists through mentorships, masterclasses and showcases in Burbank, California. The Orange Tree Project is launched. Thank you Carson Smith and Darian Gonzalez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A classroom connection with Hollywood? That will do NiCEly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CTN Live with Nickelodeon Storyboard Artist Crystal Kan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Students joined Crystal Kan to present at CTN Live, gaining experience sharing their work and learning in a professional animation setting. Because making the work is one skill. Talking about it is another. Nickelodeon Presents: ThumbNAILED IT! Storyboarding w\/ Crystal Kan <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crystal Kan (Storyboard Artist, Rugrats) breaks down storyboarding principles for animation, how to break into the industry, and her journey into animation as part of our Nick Community Efforts \u201cAnimation Masterclass\u201d series, in partnership with North American high schools & art programs. This class will showcase students from the Sisler High School Animation Program in Winnipeg, Canada and will be simulcast to Twitch LIVE as part of our featured programming for CTN-LIVE. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sisler competed in 24 Hours Animation Contest, 2 of our high school teams finish in top 18 against colleges (not high school division created at this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20<\/strong>21<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Wacom Partnership Expands Access to Creative Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wacom supported CREATE with creative technology, mentorships and professional learning opportunities, helping students access the tools and expertise used throughout the animation industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentorships connected students with Jason Scheier, a production designer with Paramount Animation and Sony Pictures Animation credits; manga artist Sarajean (theOneWithBear); and Wacom representatives Dave Bolton and Sarah Woodward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The message was clear: better tools help, but knowing how to use them\u2014and why\u2014matters even more.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Paid Internships with Nelvana<\/strong> – From Classroom to Professional Production<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CREATE and Nelvana established paid internship opportunities for top animation students. Participants gained valuable production experience and screen credits on established properties, including Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go<\/em> and Nickelodeon-related productions. It was a meaningful step from \u201cI\u2019m learning animation\u201d to \u201cI worked on that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sisler competed in 24 Hours Animation Contest, our high school teams finish 1, 2 8 and 10 in the new high school division. 3 teams in top 20 against colleges (not high school division created at this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20<\/strong>22<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Into the Spiderverse<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Ramses, co-director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/em>, also shared insights into the film\u2019s creative process, giving students a closer look at the artistry, innovation and storytelling behind a groundbreaking animated feature. That is a lot of creative firepower in one room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sisler competed in 24 Hours Animation Contest, our high school teams finish 1, 3 in the new high school division. Our top team finished 7th overall in the college division (not high school division created at this moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20<\/strong>23<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Taking the Stage at the Ottawa International Animation Festival<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CREATE students shared their experiences and creative journeys at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, one of the world\u2019s leading animation events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They were not just attending. They were presenting, representing and showing the animation world what Canadian students can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rise Up Animation Brings Industry Artists to CREATE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Through Rise Up Animation, founded by Monica Lago-Kaytis, Trent Correy, Frank Abney and Bobby Pontillas, CREATE students connected with leading artists and storytellers, including Josie Trinidad, Erin Ramos and John Aquino.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sisler students even got to help develop their website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Winnipeg Jets Filipino Heritage Night<\/strong> – Celebrating Culture Through Animation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winnipeg Jets invited CREATE students to use the ice surface as a canvas for Filipino Heritage Night, demonstrating how animation and visual storytelling can celebrate culture, identity and community. An ice rink is not the usual animation workspace. That was part of the fun.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sisler Alumni Aleks Paunovic inspires next generation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Canadian actor and Sisler grad Aleks Paunovic (Hawkeye, Van Helsing, Snowpiercer, Zero Contact) stopped by CREATE to tour the program and meet our students! The actor, originally from Winnipeg, was in town to host the ACTRA Awards. He visited the school and generously gave his time to answer questions from our students about working in the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arnon and Kelsey Visit the Program to present the recent cut of Quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On September 22, 2023 CREATE was thrilled to welcome filmmakers Kelsey Bascom and Arnon Manor (Sr VP of VFX at Sony Pictures) to Winnipeg! Bascom and Manor are the creators behind the feature film \u2018Quarter\u2019, which follows the life of a woman living with Type 1 diabetes. Our students have been creating animated scenes for the film, and were treated to a work-in-progress screening of the film during the visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the Loud House (Sisler)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyle Marshall, director of the Loud House and Wylde Pak visits Sisler to talk about developing your stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘This is life changing’: 13 Student from Sisler got to pitch projects to mentors at Nickelodeon in L.A. All expenses covered!

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Year in Review<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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