The Girl Who Cried Pearls


The Girl Who Cried Pearls is a 2025 Canadian animated short film, directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski and released in 2025. Made through stop-motion animation, the film centers on a young boy who meets and falls in love with a girl who secretly weeps pearls at night.
The initial inspiration for the film came during the production of the duo's 2007 short film Madame Tutli-Putli, when a prop necklace unexpectedly fell apart, scattering pearls across the set, as they were filming the climactic scene.
The Girl Who Cried Pearls was nominated at the 98th Academy Awards in the category of Best Animated Short Film.

Plot

Set in early 20th-century Montreal, the story follows a poor young man who falls in love with a girl whose tears turn into pearls. He trades the pearls to a merciless pawnbroker, who grows obsessed with their value. As the young man becomes entangled in the pursuit of money, he is forced to choose between his love for the girl and the promise of wealth.

Distribution

The film premiered at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It has been released in an English version narrated by Colm Feore, and a French version narrated by James Hyndman.
The film was subsequently screened at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was the winner of the award for [Toronto International Film Festival Award for Best Canada|Canadian Short Film|Best Canadian Short Film].

Reception

The film was named to the Toronto International Film Festival's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list for 2025.

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResult
Academy AwardsMarch 15, 2026Best Animated Short FilmThe Girl Who Cried Pearls
Annecy International Animation Film Festival2025Benshi AwardChris Lavis, Maciek SzczerbowskiWon
Annie Awards2026Best Animated Short SubjectChris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski
Bucheon International Animation Festival2025AniB's Choice AwardChris Lavis, Maciek SzczerbowskiWon
Cinemania2025Compétition Courts métrages québécoisChris Lavis, Maciek SzczerbowskiNomitated-
Countryside Animafest Cyprus2025Young Audience CompetitionChris Lavis, Maciek Szczerbowski
Ottawa International Animation Festival2025CFI Award for Best Canadian AnimationChris Lavis, Maciek SzczerbowskiWon
Toronto International Film Festival2025Best Canadian Short FilmChris Lavis, Maciek SzczerbowskiWon