Xavier Dolan and Noah Pink join panel discussion at Cannes: Telefilm Canada<br>presents "Atom Egoyan in conversation with the next wave of Canadian<br>filmmakers"

MONTREAL, May 18 /CNW Telbec/ - Today at Cannes, Telefilm Canada is hosting the panel discussion "Speaking Parts: Atom Egoyan in conversation with the next wave of Canadian filmmakers", in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy in France. The internationally acclaimed Canadian director, who has shown nine feature films at Cannes plus a short film commissioned for the Festival's 60th anniversary, will engage in a conversation with Xavier Dolan and Noah Pink, two young directors with films screening at the prestigious festival this year. The event will be moderated by Tom McSorley, Executive Director of the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa.

"It's impossible to imagine my career without Cannes. I'm a Festival baby," said Atom Egoyan, Director and President of the Cinéfondation and Short Film Jury at Cannes 2010. "The biggest lesson I hope to impart to young filmmakers is that you don't need fame immediately."

"This discussion between the young Dolan and Pink and 21-year Cannes veteran Atom Egoyan is an opportunity to celebrate having three talented Canadian directors at Cannes this year, and to highlight the impact of an appearance at the Festival for our filmmakers," said Sheila de La Varende, Telefilm Canada's Director of National and International Business Development.

Les amours imaginaires (Heartbeats), Xavier Dolan's sophomore film, screened in the Un Certain Regard program as part of the Festival's Official Selection, while Noah Pink's ZedCrew will be shown in the 42nd Directors' Fortnight, a sidebar of the Cannes Festival.

About Telefilm Canada

Telefilm Canada is a federal cultural agency dedicated to developing and promoting the Canadian audiovisual industry. Telefilm provides financial support to the private sector to create distinctively Canadian products that appeal to domestic and international audiences. Telefilm also administers the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.gc.ca.

For further information: Eva Hartling, Senior Advisor, External Communications, Telefilm Canada, [phone], ext. 2090, [email protected], www.twitter.com/telefilm_canada