Ghazal Tahernia is a Canadian-American stop motion animator and filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Integrated Media from OCAD University, Ghazal has built a career across feature films, television, short films, and commercial productions, specializing in character animation, puppet fabrication, and handcrafted storytelling.
Ghazal has contributed to award-winning productions including LAIKA’s feature film Wildwood, as well as animated projects with Spotted Fawn Productions, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, and Stop Motion Department Inc. Her work spans character-driven performances, complex animation sequences, and collaborative studio pipelines, with credits including The Soul Catcher, Ultra City Smiths, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K., Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman’s Apprentice, and Gnawer of Rocks. She was nominated for an Annie Award for Best Character Animation in TV/Media for her work on Ultra City Smiths.
Alongside her professional animation practice, Ghazal creates independent animated films exploring identity, cultural memory, and human connection through tactile materials and expressive character design. Her thesis film ZĀR (2019) has screened internationally in film festivals and exhibitions, reflecting her interest in using stop motion as an intimate medium for personal storytelling.
Driven by a passion for handcrafted animation, Ghazal continues to explore the relationship between movement, material, and emotion, bringing together technical expertise and a deeply collaborative creative approach.