Stage Door News

Mississauga: The 2022 Bridges Festival of Puppetry and Animation runs March 12-14

Friday, February 25, 2022

Bridges Festival, the annual international festival celebrating Puppetry and Animation in Mississauga is happening this March. Bridges Festival is a great place for artists to network and make connections, participate in career development workshops, and present their work.

Each year, Bridges Festival is held during the beginning of March break in venues across the city of Mississauga. This year, between March 12 - 14th 2022, discover over 15 exciting events including: award winning puppetry shows, animated films, workshops, exhibitions, networking events, and more.

Artists interested in puppetry and theatre in Canada and abroad, have an opportunity to participate in industry events, as part of our Discovery Series. This year these events include:

Puppeteers Meet-Up: An online and in person meet up for artists and puppeteers (March 12 at 1pm)

Industry Exploration: An online workshop for emerging artists intere sted in learning about the business of theatre in Canada. (March 14 at 1pm)

Puppet Slam: An online revue style puppet show, with multiple performers showcasing their work. (March 13th at 8pm). Submissions are now open for artists with a short piece they would like to share in front of an audience.

There are also live and virtual puppetry shows as well as animated short films available on demand all weekend long.


Live Puppet Shows:

Bois: by Puzzle Theatre and presented by Maple Magic. A live 40 minute puppetry show for children 4+ on March 12th and 13th.

A Brief History of Time: by Theatre du Renard. A live puppetry show about astrophysics and the mysteries of space. Best for audiences 12+. Playing March 12th.

Interactive Treasure Adventure: An interactive online zoom show for families. Perfect for children 3 - 6 years. Playing March 12th and 13th.

The Lords of Nowhere: by Theatre Nautilus. A monster is throwing a birthday party. Great for older kids, and lovers of the horror genre. Playing March 12th.


Recorded Shows (available throughout the festival):

Animated Shorts Series: Watch some of the best Animated Short Films from around the world. This activity is great for all ages.

Peperangan Bintang: by Actiontintoy Studio and presented at Arts Gallery of Mississauga. This filmed puppet show reimagines the classic sci-fi film, Star Wars, by George Lucas using traditional Malaysian shadow Puppets.


Bridges Festival is produced by Crane Creations Theatre Company. Crane Creations Theatre Company is the only artists run non for profit professional theatre company operating in Mississauga and the Region of Peel. We are constantly cultivating and expanding ties with professional artists, theatres, presenters, festivals, and curators. We are always interested in partnership opportunities.

Check out the full program on Crane Creations Theatre Company’s website (www.cranecreations.ca/bridges-festival).