A new award for Canadian animators in the name of experimental filmmaker Helen Hill, who died this year, has been announced.

"Helen was a gifted filmmaker and film educator who was active in many communities across the continent," said a release from the the Linda Joy Media Arts Society of Halifax, which supports the work of emerging media artists. The society is sponsoring the prize.

"Her clear and engaging presence can be felt in all her work, as well as an implicit and warm invitation to join in the sheer enjoyment of it, and the life from which it was drawn."

Hill was an artist and social activist who lived in Halifax from 1995 to 2001 — the year she moved to New Orleans with her husband, Paul Gailiunas.

On Jan. 4, the 36-year-old filmmaker died during a random attack on her house in New Orleans. Gailiunas was discovered bleeding at the front door clutching the couple's two-year-old son, who was not injured.

Police have still not found her killer.

Hill, a native of South Carolina, arrived in Halifax intent on making films. She became better known for launching Food Not Bombs, a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that provides free vegetarian meals to the local community.

The artist continued to create films and teach at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, now NSCAD University, and at the Atlantic Filmmakers Cooperative. Hill also became a Canadian citizen.

While in New Orleans, she taught animation at the New Orleans Video Access Center and through the New Orleans Film Collective

The deadline for applications for the inaugural Helen Hill Animated Award is Oct. 6.

A winner will be announced by Nov. 11.