Background
He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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Grant Munro
Edit ProfileEducation
Grant Munro was educated at the Robert H. Smith school, Queenston school, and Gordon Bell High, before attending the Musgrove School of Art and the Winnipeg School of Artist
Career
Brian Munro spent his adult life in the Canadian Forces, serving with Princess Patricia"s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). Of note, he received the Presidential Unit Citation (United States) for the Battle of Kapyong in the Korean War. Earning an honor diploma from the Ontario College of Art in 1944, he then joined the National Film Board, Canada"s public film producer and distributor.
He went on to collaborate with McLaren on the films Two Bagatelles (1953), Seven Surprizes (1963), Christmas Cracker (1963) and Canon (1964).
In the 1970s, Munro"s focus shifted to documentaries. He also directed See You in the Funny Papers (1983), which examined the life and work of cartoonist Lynn Johnston.
Munro retired from the National Film Board in 1988. Awards and honors Grant Munro Rediscovered On December 4, 2003, the Museum of Modern Art paid tribute to him with Grant Munro Rediscovered, a retrospective program of his work: On the occasion of Grant Munro’s eightieth birthday and the release of a new Digital Video Disc, Cut-Up: The Films of Grant Munro, the Museum of Modern Art pays tribute to this seminal but under-recognized animator.
Working from within the historic Animation Unit of the National Film Board of Canada from 1945 through the early 1970s, Munro directed, produced, shot, edited, and even acted in some of the most significant hand-drawn and pixilated animation ever made.
A frequent collaborator with Norman McLaren, Munro brought a wicked wit and sublime grace to the art
Achievements
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The 1962 short Christmas Cracker was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Gate Award. Canon (1964) won the Canadian Film Award for Best Arts and Experimental. And The Animal Movie (1966) won a plate at the Venice Film Festival. On June 20, 2007 Concordia University awarded Munro an honorary doctorate in recognition of his legacy for generations of filmmakers. On October 10, 2008, Grant Munro was made an Officer in the Order of Canada by Governor General Michaëlle Jean. The backgrounder to the award read as follows: Grant Munro is a pioneering animator and filmmaker. One of the earliest and longest-serving members of the National Film Board of Canada, he developed innovative techniques that influenced both the film industry and other animators. He produced films that were used as public education tools in schools across Canada, and collaborated with the Montreal Children’s Hospital to create educational films for children with learning disabilities. As well, he was involved in making several award-winning film"s and has been an inspiring role model and dedicated mentor to several generations of young filmmakers.
Membership
One of the earliest and longest-serving members of the National Film Board of Canada, he developed innovative techniques that influenced both the film industry and other animators.
Connections
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Born
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Nationality
Canada
Awards
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Academy award; awarded Munro; Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is the second highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada.The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is the second highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada.