The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
Oscar® Nominee, Best Short Film (Animated), 1999

When the Day Breaks

1999 9 min
Leaving soon

In this animated short, Ruby the pig seeks affirmation in the city around her after witnessing the accidental death of a stranger… and finds it in surprising places. With deft humour and finely rendered detail, When the Day Breaks illuminates the links that connect our urban lives, while evoking the promise and fragility of a new day. Winner of over 40 prizes from around the world, the film also features singer Martha Wainwright.

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
When the Day Breaks

Details

In this animated short, Ruby the pig seeks affirmation in the city around her after witnessing the accidental death of a stranger… and finds it in surprising places. With deft humour and finely rendered detail, When the Day Breaks illuminates the links that connect our urban lives, while evoking the promise and fragility of a new day. Winner of over 40 prizes from around the world, the film also features singer Martha Wainwright.

  • direction
    Wendy Tilby
    Amanda Forbis
  • animation
    Wendy Tilby
    Amanda Forbis
  • concept
    Wendy Tilby
  • additional animation
    Martin Rose
  • consulting editor
    Haida Paul
  • music
    Judith Gruber-Stitzer
  • arrangements
    Dave Gossage
    Judith Gruber-Stitzer
  • lyrics
    Wendy Tilby
    Amanda Forbis
  • singer
    Martha Wainwright
    Chaim Tannenbaum
  • musician
    Richard Beaudet
    Kevin Dean
    Thom Gossage
    Normand Guilbeault
    Eric Longsworth
    Collin Biggin
    Philippe Dunnigan
    David Grott
    Frédéric Lefebvre
    Marc Villemure
  • sound editing
    Marie-Claude Gagné
  • foley
    Andy Malcolm
  • sound recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
    Gaëtan Pilon
  • re-recording
    Shelley Craig
    Jean Paul Vialard
  • visual effects
    Susan Gourley
  • animation assistance
    Luigi Allemano
  • post-production coordination
    Éric Barbeau
  • program administrator
    Carrol Smith
    Ida Di Fruscia
    Gisèle Guilbault
  • producer
    David Verrall
  • executive producer
    Barrie Angus McLean
    David Verrall

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Education

Ages 13 to 17
School subjects
Have students share experiences with death or disasters if they wish. How does the pig’s behaviour and mood change after the accident? What is she thinking about? How does she get back to her old self? Students could role-play the pig’s inner monologue after the accident, or write her feelings down as a letter or journal.
When the Day Breaks
Purchase options
Also available
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted. Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.