‘Nuisance Bear’ Directors on Why Their ‘Super-Scrappy,’ A24-Backed Sundance Winner Isn’t a ‘Traditional Nature Documentary’

Canadian filmmakers Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden knew they were onto something when their short film “Nuisance Bear,” an unconventional nature documentary centered on the annual polar bear migration in Manitoba, was picked up by the New Yorker Studios following its Toronto Film Festival premiere in 2021 and shortlisted for the Academy Awards.  But while […] Home Film Global Mar 4, 2026 4:06am PT ‘Nuisance Bear’ Directors on Why Their ‘Super-Scrappy,’ A24-Backed Sundance Winner Isn’t a ‘Traditional Nature Documentary’ By Christopher Vourlias Plus Icon Christopher Vourlias Latest Joburg Film Festival Head on Celebrating ‘Unseen Hands Behind Filmmaking,’ Growing Next Generation of South African Moviegoers 2 days ago JBX Market Head on How Johannesburg Event Is ‘Helping Shape’ Future of Africa’s Screen Industries 2 days ago ‘Rising Giants’ Documentary Set to Follow Fate of Africa’s World Cup Hopefuls in Search of Elusive Soccer Glory (EXCLUSIVE) 2 days ago See All "Nuisance Bear" (Courtesy of Sundance Film Festival) Canadian filmmakers Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden knew they were onto something when their short film “Nuisance Bear,” an unconventional nature documentary centered on the annual polar bear migration in Manitoba, was picked up by the New Yorker Studios following its Toronto Film Festival premiere in 2021 and shortlisted for the Academy Awards. But while the 14-minute short was conceived as “proof of concept” for a feature-length documentary, neither filmmaker could predict the success to come, with A24’s now-shuttered doc division coming on board as producers and the “Nuisance Bear” feature winning the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Related Stories Japan Exports Hit Formats But Imports Few, WIT Says at Mip London