- Canadian women directors behind four of seven selected films: Nelly by Anne Émond, Pays by Chloé Robichaud, Gun Runners by Anjali Nayar and KONELĪNE: our land beautiful by Nettie Wild
- Canada talent in attendance to include: directors Xavier Dolan, Anne Émond, Chloé Robichaud and Nettie Wild
MONTREAL, Dec. 22, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadian cinema will have its moment in the sun. Seven homegrown films have been selected by the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), which is taking place from January 5 to 16, 2017. They are:
- Gun Runners, Anjali Nayar;
- Juste la fin du monde (It's Only the End of the World), Xavier Dolan (Canada/France coproduction) (named to official shortlist of nine contenders for Best Foreign Language Film at the upcoming Academy Awards);
- KONELĪNE: our land beautiful, Nettie Wild;
- Maliglutit (Searchers), Zacharias Kunuk;
- Nelly, Anne Émond;
- Pays (Boundaries), Chloé Robichaud (Ms. Robichaud will also be featured in the New Voices/New Talent competition); and
- X Quinientos, directed by Juan Andrés Arango (Canada/Colombia/Mexico coproduction).
"With a diverse mix of Canadian features—including works from emerging talent and an Indigenous pioneer, documentaries, coproductions and Canada's Best Foreign Language Film Oscar shortlisted film—we're off to a promising year on the international scene," said Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada's Executive Director. "I'm especially pleased to see that female talent is well represented in this year's Palm Springs contingent; out of the seven selected films, four are directed and scripted by women and five have women as producers."
Juste la fin du Monde in Awards Buzz program
Juste la fin du monde will be part of the Awards Buzz program at PSIFF, a selection of 43 films that the Festival's programmers consider to be among the strongest of the 85 foreign-language contenders at the upcoming Academy Awards. The films will compete for the FIPRESCI Award in the Awards Buzz section. Palm Springs is one of the few film festivals where fans can watch most of the foreign language Oscar contenders.
Michael Lerman, Artistic Director, Palm Springs International Film Festival added: "We're extremely lucky to have another great year in Canadian film to highlight, from the return of master filmmakers like Zacharias Kunuk to the rise of emerging talent like Chloé Robichaud. And having Xavier Dolan on the Oscar shortlist is just more proof that the film industry in Canada is one of the strongest in the world."
Five years of partnership
As part of a partnership that is now in its fifth year, Telefilm and the Palm Springs International Film Festival work together to support the Canadian presence at the Festival. Palm Springs is one of the marquee events of the film festival season and generates significant buzz owing to the fact that its line-up includes several contenders for the Golden Globes and Oscars, two events that take place not long after the Festival.
Canadian talent at PSIFF
Canadian talent will be on hand to represent their films:
- Gun Runners, director Anjali Nayar
- Juste la fin du monde (It's Only the End of the World), director Xavier Dolan and producer Nancy Grant
- KONELĪNE: our land beautiful, director Nettie Wild and producer Betsy Carson
- Nelly, director Anne Émond
- Pays (Boundaries), director Chloé Robichaud
- X Quinientos, director Juan Andrés Arango and producer Yanick Létourneau
Canada, A World of Talent special events on January 8, 2017
- A cultivation event in support of the Talent Fund, a private donation fund to primarily develop and promote the careers of emerging talent. Canadian philanthropists Carol and Paul Hill will again host the event, featuring a performance by The Tenors, which will bring together business people with homegrown creative talent. Carol Hill is a member of the Fund's Advisory Committee. This event is being held for a fifth consecutive year.
- Following the Talent Fund event, more than 100 guests will attend a special presentation of Xavier Dolan's Juste la fin du monde, as part of the day's screenings of Canadian films.
- A networking event bringing together Canadian talent at PSIFF with representatives from the U.S. and international film industries.
Palm Springs Speaks French!, January 6, 2017
The Festival, in conjunction with the consulates general of Belgium, France and Switzerland, the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles, Telefilm Canada and TV5 Monde, will once again hold an event to celebrate French-language cinema at Palm Springs.
About Telefilm Canada—Inspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.
Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2013, the Talent Fund accepts private donations to principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.
SOURCE Telefilm Canada
Media enquiries: Douglas Chow, Head, Public Relations, Telefilm Canada, (514) 283-0838 ext. 2048 or 1-800-567-0890, [email protected]
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