CHILDREN SHOULDN’T USE KNIVES

An animated film that blends lyric poetry, sound, and stunning black and white imagery to tell the story of a dying woman confronting the ghosts of her childhood.

Adapted from the poetry collection, Children Shouldn’t Use Knives (At Bay Press, 2017), winner of a Manitoba Book Award, an Honourable Mention at The Alcuin Society Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada, and shortlisted for a ReLit Award.

Director and Writer: Shirley Camia

Illustrator and Animator: Cindy Mochizuki

Animation Assistance and Composition: Cherry Wen Wen Lu

Editing: Candelario Andrade

Score and Sound Design: tidepools

Release date: March 20, 2025, through the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Canadian Reflections, Canada’s longest running showcase of independent short film.

Produced with the gracious support of the Canada Council for the Arts.