Efehan Elbi

Efehan Elbi is an award-winning filmmaker and director based in Toronto, with 15+ years across animation, television, VFX, and interactive media.

Their practice bridges animation, code, poetry and prose, and music, spanning independent cinema, broadcast and episodic work (including Odd Squad), narrative games, and museum installations. Their animated short RAINFALL screened internationally, earning major honours, and their work has landed multiple Staff Picks.

Approaching a decade at the Royal Ontario Museum, they create public-facing interactive and exhibition media, and are currently animating a solo feature film with an artist-led, sustainable focus.

The Timeline

(PROJECT EVE) [Working Title]

Feature Film | In Production

Writer, Director, Animator

A solo-authored, feature-length experimental animated film. An ode to love across distance, to cultural clashes in times of struggle, and to the trials of family, inherited and found.

Currently in development

2026

Mirror Mountain Film Festival

Board of Directors | 2026 - Present

Leadership & Governance

Board service supporting independent film programming and community initiatives.

Psychedelics

ROM Original Exhibition | Jan 2022 - Present

with the Royal Ontario Museum

An immersive and transdisciplinary exhibition, Psychedelics explores the cross-cultural and scientific importance of altered states of consciousness. Featuring artworks, objects, botanical specimens, and interactives, along with broad consultations and a nuanced narrative, this exhibition makes sense of a topic which, for the past half century, has been too taboo to tackle.

2025

117 Years Of Movie Bullshit

Short Film | 2025

Visual Effects Artist

“Two aspiring Hollywood stars are sent back in time, during the Gone With the Wind Era, by the evil Dick Whitman, an old school studio exec. As the two try to get back to the present time, they keep getting stuck in movies of the past as token Black characters.”

Working in close collaboration with director/writer Candice Vernon and actor/producer Frank Adkinson to bring the virtual realm of the film’s narrative to life.

The Micheaux® Film Festival, 2025 -

2024

A Moment Before We Sat

Short Film | 2023

Game Designer + Visual Effects

Game design and visual effects contributions for the independent Canadian Short Film, working with director Jennifer Law-Smith crafting a fictional in-world game experience, and then creating a playable and orchestrated vertical slice of the game for incorporation into the film’s narrative.

“A single mother balances her relationship with her daughter and a computer game character she developed.”

2023

Sagitarrius

These Castles Album | 2023

Composer & Synth

A These Castles album exploring expansive, voyage-like themes through chipstyle composition and hardware synth performance.

Noelle Hamlyn: Lifers

ROM Original Exhibition | Jan 2023 - Jun 2023

with the Royal Ontario Museum

Over twenty repurposed and retailored life jackets, hand-crafted by the artist from reclaimed and discarded garments, present a striking visual metaphor to draw attention to the current environmental crisis in the textiles and fashion industries. Each life jacket (or “lifer”) tells a unique story, encouraging us to take a closer look at our own fashion consumption behaviours, and how they have the power to affect the health of water resources worldwide.

Noelle Hamlyn: Lifers opens a complex and important conversation about climate change, and how fast fashion and rampant overconsumption are accelerating the crisis with each new season.

Skills: Audio Engineering · Project Planning · Project Management

2021

Era

These Castles Album | 2021

Composer & Synth

Era is written and recorded largely during the first months of the pandemic, as well as refined through-out. An interrupted journey, violent and disjointed songs that represent this turmoiled time in chipstyle.

Written and played entirely on Korg DS-10 or Korg DSN-12.

Available on all streaming sites

Dawn of Life

ROM Permanent Gallery | 2021

with the Royal Ontario Museum

Dawn of Life (Willner Madge Gallery) is a 10,000-square-foot permanent gallery that tells the epic story of life on Earth from its very beginnings about 4 billion years ago up to the rise of dinosaurs and early mammals. The gallery is the first major permanent gallery the ROM has opened in about a decade, and it’s designed to immerse visitors in evolution through real fossils, interpretive displays, and interactive multimedia.

Skills: Animation · Videography · Interactive Media · Digital Games · Project Planning

2020

One Thousand Towns

These Castles Album | 2020

Composer & Synth

One Thousand Towns is an album written and edited over the last few years. The entire album represents one journey, an ode to the beautiful game soundtracks that have inspired These Castles, as well as an attempt to evoke a consistent narrative in chipstyle.

Written and played entirely on Korg DS-10 or Korg DSN-12.

Available on all streams Listen on Spotify

All To Say

Poem | 2020

Author / Performer

A spoken-word poem about deep love and connections.

Published by Feels Zine, Kinship Issue.

2019

Bloodsuckers: Mosquito Meal Quest

Museum Game | 2019

with the Royal Ontario Museum ~ Designer, Coder

An interactive experience featured in the Bloodsuckers: From Legends To Leeches exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum, a 3D education interactive where the player looks for their next bloodmeal as a mosquito in the woods.

“Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches” exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum, 2019

Win
Overall Winner at the 32nd Annual American Alliance of Museums Excellence in Exhibition Competition

Shipper

Zine | 2019

published by done\undone

A visceral short story. Two girls take an unsanctioned journey out into the wilds beyond their vella, unbeknownst to their elders.

For sale at Word on the Street and Canzine, 2019

2019 Singles

These Castles Music | 2019

Composer & Synth

These Castles is an electronic sound, inspired and powered by the gorgeous video game soundtracks, both old and new, thoughtful pauses and the adventures you haven’t found yet. Written and played entirely on Korg DS-10 or Korg DSN-12.

~ Dawn
~ Glass Hearts
~ At Grace Point
~ Eternity

Available on all streams Listen on Spotify

Odd Squad Mobile Unit

Television | 2019-2020

with Sinking Ship Ent ~ Compositor, Animator

Animation and compositing work on Sinking Ship Entertainment’s follow up to their hit series, Odd Squad.

Endlings

Television | 2019

with Sinking Ship Ent ~ Compositor, Animator

Animation and compositing work on Sinking Ship Entertainment’s follow up to their hit series, Odd Squad.

2018

In The Reaches

Illustrated Storybook | 2018

published by done\undone ~ Author, Illustrator

“In The Reaches” is a collaboration between Efehan Elbi and Melinda Kamath, a sprawling journey through striking landscapes, a colourful cosmos, and beautiful scriptwork, art and the prose itself written by Efehan and the beautiful calligraphy by Melinda.

Canzine & Word On The Street, 2019
Launch event at Glad Day Bookshop, 2018

Zuul: 3D Fossil Viewers

Museum Interactive | 2018

with the Royal Ontario Museum ~ Designer, Coder

An interactive experience to view 3D scanned fossils of Zuul, a new species of dinosaur discovered by the Royal Ontario Museum.

Exhibition launch at the Royal Ontario Museum, 2018

2018 Singles

These Castles Music | 2018

Composer & Synth

These Castles is an electronic sound, inspired and powered by the gorgeous video game soundtracks, both old and new, thoughtful pauses and the adventures you haven’t found yet. Written and played entirely on Korg DS-10 or Korg DSN-12.

~ City Life
~ Fountains
~ The Campfire Saga
~ Reunion

Available on all streams Listen on Spotify

2017

In Cold Dark

Interactive Narrative | 2018 - (Hold)

as done\undone ~ Game Director, Writer, Lead Artist / Coder

Three years scouting the distant reaches of the galaxy. You’ve been all on your own, but now it’s time to head back, to SAGI 499: a divided colonial society on the edge of the Sagittarius spiral, and your home. Old friends calling, new faces to meet, political turmoil … and hints of something far stranger. What will you choose?

Presentations:
Comics x Games by the Hand Eye Society, 2021 -- Toronto, Ontario
Mirror Mountain Film Festival, 2019 -- Ottawa, Ontario

>> Site and Playable Demo

2016

Rainfall

Short Film | 2014 - 2016

Writer, Director, Animator

Jessica experiences her first date, her first kiss, and her first heartache after an unforgettable evening in the storm.

Beverly Hills Film Festival, 2016 -- Hollywood, California
Rome International Film Festival, 2016 -- Rome, Georgia
Seattle Shorts Film Festival, 2016 -- Seattle, Washington
Mirror Mountain Film Festival, 2016 -- Ottawa, Ontario
Canadian Film Fest, 2017 -- Toronto, Ontario
British Animation Film Festival, 2017 -- London, UK

Win
Best Animation, Beverly Hills Film Festival, 2016
Audience Award, Seattle Shorts Film Festival, 2016
Best Director, Mirror Mountain Film Festival, 2016
Best Director (shorts), Canadian Film Fest, 2017
Best Sound, British Animation Film Festival, 2017

Nomination
Best Animation, Seattle Shorts Film Festival, 2016

Space Breakers

Feature Film | 2016

with Family Contact ~ Actor, Camera

The year is 1991, the universe is not our own, but rather a high-technology utopia wherein humanity stretches across multiple star-systems, and manages an addiction to cream-based foodstuffs and perpetual body-modification.

Following an altogether alien holiday celebration, three bros (Zak Tatham, Aaron Manczyk and Efehan Elbi) witness a commercial for an intergalactic mall known as “the biosphere”, and, with the help of Zak’s sister Tima, hijack a spaceship in an effort to fulfill the libidinal desires promised by the advertisement.

What The Film Fest, 2016 -- Toronto, Ontario

Odd Squad Season 2.5

Television | 2016 - 2017

with Sinking Ship Ent ~ Digital Graphics, Animation

Digital graphics and interactive apps for the shooting and later post work on Sinking Ship Entertainment’s third season of their hit series, Odd Squad.

Bookaboo

Television | 2015 - 2016

with Sinking Ship Ent ~ Lead Animator

Compositing and re-illustration work, followed by animation to bring storybooks to life as read by a celebrity each episode.

2015

Moonlines

Novel | 2010 - 2012

Author + Self Publisher

Recently-dumped and searching for distraction, Lain comes across an ad seeking an investigative partner (objective to be made clear upon acceptance). She can’t resist responding. Later, as the shadows gather around her, ashes in her hands, Lain wonders how far into the darkness she is willing to go.

Word On The Street, 2019
Canzine, 2016-2019
Released as eBook on all major platforms

The Adventures of Napkin Man

Television | 2015

with Little Tugboat ~ Compositor

Compositing animated elements, including Napkin Man himself, into the real world backgrounds and moving camera shots.

Earlier

Sleet & Snow

Short Film | 2012

Director + Animator

Genevieve: Chapter

Graphic Novel | 2013

Author, Artist

Word On The Street, 2019
Canzine, Many Years
TCAF, Many Years

Living With Friends

Web series | 2010 - 2013

with Family Contact ~ Actor, Director, VFX

Surreal webseries starring Aaron, Zak, and the soon lost Efehan, where friends try to live and thrive together in a world of romance, goths, and sci-fi diversions.

Multiple theatrical screenings, 2010 - 2013 -- Toronto, Ontario

Cold East (Written By A Kid, ep 5)

Web series | 2012

for Geek & Sundry ~ Director, Animator

“No imagination is greater than that of a kid! Today’s hottest online directors bring these videos to life, inspired by the inventive and fantastical tales told by real children.”

Directed and animated a fun and dark tale of life in a surveilled refrigerator community, as told by Ryan.

150k+ views, YouTube

Felicia Day's The Flog

Web series | 2012 - 2014

for Geek & Sundry ~ Animator

Join Felicia each week as she explores new experiences, curates the best links from around the web, and connects with her fans, friends, and family.

Design and animation for a fully animated intro sequence.

250-500k+ views, YouTube

Genevieve: Past

Graphic Novel | 2012

Author, Artist

Word On The Street, 2019
Canzine, Many Years
TCAF, Many Years

Ancestors

Music video | 2011

with Jed Whedon & The Willing ~ Director, Animator

Ancestors is a view of a broken and worn out Earth as a ship takes off.

Fantastic Planet Film Festival, 2016 -- Sydney, Australia

Best Music Video, Fantastic Planet Film Festival, 2016
Vimeo Staff Pick, 2011 -- Global

The Gunslingers II

Short Film | 2009

Family Contact ~ Director, Animator

So Then Don't Wait

Short film | 2008

Director, Animator

Vimeo Staff Pick, 2008

San Francisco Indie Fest, 2009 -- San Francisco, California

The Gunslingers

Short Animation | 2008

Family Contact ~ Director / Animator

Beverly Hills Shorts Festival, 2009 -- Beverly Hills, California

Genevieve: Volume One

Graphic Novel | 2009

Author, Artist

Word On The Street, 2019
Canzine, Many Years
TCAF, Many Years

Instrumental

Efehan Music | 2016

Singer & Songwriter

Forming a natural bridge between work under their own name and the future experimentation within These Castles, Instrumental is a lyricless album that is a gentle synth adventure, with collaborations and long-distance co-writing within as well. This was a gentler exploration of the Korg DS-10 at times, and sometimes an intense shift. The result is a natural segue into the more rigid and explorative chiptune tracks that follow.

Available on all streams Listen on Spotify

Half-Asleep

Efehan Music | 2012

Singer & Songwriter

Half-Asleep comprised Efehan's first cohesive experimentions the MicroKORG Korg DS-10, resulting in a semi-synth album collecting new songs and lost gems from the Roflcopter era. This allowed an exploration into a solo self-collaboration style of music making after a long while composing and performing within a band. A kickoff.

Available on all streams Listen on Spotify

That Autumn Feeling

Short Animation | 2008

Director / Animator

Vimeo Staff Pick, 2008 -- Global

Calamitous Orphan for the E.L.E.

Short film | 2008

Director, Animator

“My shining super-parents think I'm worth nothing. Consequently, I want to get into the League, but it might be hard because I burn down a lot of the bridges I walk over literally, on accident, and I'm sorry for those dizzy travellers, but I'll create dizzier.”

Selected for extra features on Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog DVD, 2008

My Awesome Movie

Feature Film | 2008

Cast + Crew + VFX

My Awesome Movie is an anti-narrative. It’s a story that wants to get told but just doesn’t know how. Like life, lots of things happen in a day and most fall by the way-side. This movie glorifies those moments but still shows them for what they are: unimportant. The story revolves around Aaron and Zak, two twenty-something year old roommates. [...]

My Awesome Movie is a film that defies even low-budget filmmaking and shows the world that making a good movie is within anyone who wants reach. Shot on HD cameras in Toronto, Ontario, for less than $40 Canadian.

Screenings:
Cinecycle, Toronto — 2008
Innis Town Hall, University of Toronto campus — 2009

Electric Eel Island

Roflcopter Music | 2005-2009

Singer & Songwriter

A three piece, explorative sound with inspirations from emo, synth, electronica, and a love for anthemic songs.

Available on CD

Attackulus

Student Film | 2004

Director + Animator

A student wrestles with a calculus equation, literally.
Live action + animation hybrid.

Toronto Student Film Fest, 2004 -- Toronto, Ontario

Overall Film Production 3rd, TSFF, 2004