Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Cordell Barker began an apprenticeship in animation in 1974, cutting his teeth on "Sesame Street" spots, K-tel commercials and local and national ads. He approached the NFB in 1982 to make a film that eventually became THE CAT CAME BACK - a 7-minute animated folk song, which received an Oscar® nomination in 1989 and went on to garner 18 international awards. Cordell has worked as an animator/director on numerous TV ads in Canada, the US and England for such clients as Energy, Mines, and Resources Canada, Benylin, Nike, Chili's Restaurant and Bell Canada. He continues to receive awards for his innovative animations. Barker is happily married and the father of "three evil boys" who provided the inspiration for his most recent film, STRANGE INVADERS (2002), about a strange child who suddenly appears one night to a childless couple.  Nominated for Achievement in Animated Short Films 1988: THE CAT CAME BACK - Producer  Nominated for Achievement in Animated Short Films 2001: STRANGE INVADERS - Producer 2 nominations