Got late word that formerly Pittsburgh-based artist Fox-Gieg is returning Thursday for a free talk and screening at Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

Especially if you don't know his work, this is really one to see. For several years starting in the late '90s, Fox-Gieg (a West Virginia native and CMU grad) was among Pittsburgh's most interesting makers of short videos, many of them animations and other fascinating experimental work.

And he's kept up the good work -- his short "The Orange" just won the jury prize for Best Animated Short at SXSW 2010, which is quite a big deal.

Nick's based in Toronto now, but his work gets around to international festivals and such; a Manchester (U.K.) Guardian critic called it "whip-smart experimental animation."

"The Orange," from a story by Benjamin Rosenbaum, begins with the words, "An orange ruled the world." The parable-like two-minute short -- view it on Nick's online demo reel (www.fox-gieg.com) -- is as intense, witty, intellectually probing and visually stunning as earlier works like "Peace Through Strength" and "The Story of Enoch." Newer titles like "The Foxhole Manifesto" and "The Option of War" indicate he's also still critiquing militarism, long a popular theme of his.

After the hour-long screening, Nick's talk will focus on how he uses digital tools like Flash, After Effects and Isadora.

The event is at 6 p.m. Thu., May 20, at the Melwood Screening Room, in North Oakland (412-682-4111).