Canadian connections were an undercurrent at the 2013 Academy Awards, including in the category of best animated short.

American John Kahrs, who earned the Oscar for his film Paperman, is an alumnus of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, the Nova Scotia government announced on Monday.

His film is a romantic, dialogue-free tale set in mid-century New York that blends computer-created artwork and hand-drawn 2D animation.

The Los Angeles-based Disney Pixar animator, whose credits include working on films like Ratatouille and The Incredibles, "is an excellent example of what NSCAD graduates can achieve, and I congratulate him on this tremendous recognition," Marilyn More, minister of labour and advanced education, said in a statement.

"The province is very proud of NSCAD, its staff, faculty, students and alumni, and that is why we are helping NSCAD to be there to teach future generations of leaders in the arts community."

NSCAD University has made headlines in recent years for its financial struggles.

Canadians at the Oscars

Canadians, Canadian stories and the country's talented production industry were a subplot at this year's Academy Awards gala, which took place Sunday in Hollywood.

Toronto composer Mychael Danna won the Oscar for best original score for his work on one of the evening's biggest winners, Life of Pi, the 3D epic based on the novel by Canadian Yann Martel. Another colleague on the film, Vancouver-based Guillaume Rocheron, shared in Life of Pi's visual effects win.

Salt Spring Island, B.C. set director Jim Erickson shared in the production design Oscar for his work on Lincoln.

Ben Affleck's film Argo, based on former CIA agent Tony Mendez's experiences during the Iranian hostage crisis covert rescue operation dubbed the Canadian Caper, triumphed as the night's best picture winner. Both Affleck and Oscar-winning screenwriter Chris Terrio thanked Canada or Canadians in their respective acceptance speeches.