Canada at Venice: Denis Villeneuve's Incendies will make its world premiere
at the Official Selection of Venice Days

MONTREAL, July 28 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada congratulates Canadian director Denis Villeneuve and the team of the film Incendies on its upcoming world premiere at the seventh edition of Venice Days, a parallel section of the Venice International Film Festival, held from September 1 to September 11, 2010. Incendies is one of only 12 features in the Venice Days selection and the only entry from Canada.

"In its short history, Venice Days has quickly become a highly regarded festival for filmmakers of talent from around the world," said Sheila de La Varende, Director, National and International Business Development at Telefilm Canada. "To have a Canadian film launch on such a prestigious international platform is an incredible recognition of the creative energy and vision at work in our industry."

"We are delighted that Incendies will have its world premiere in Venice, an ideal launching pad for its international career," said Kim McCraw and Luc Déry of micro_scope, the film's producers. "We hope that the film will reach audiences around the world."

Incendies, written and directed by Denis Villeneuve (Polytechnique, 2009), was adapted from the critically acclaimed stage play by Canadian playwright Wajdi Mouawad. Twins Jeanne and Simon are stunned by their mother's last wishes - to hand deliver letters to the father they thought dead and to the brother they never knew existed. In carrying out this final request, they piece together their mother's story defined by hatred and war.

The film was financed through Telefilm's Canada Feature Film Fund. A Canada-France coproduction, the film was produced by micro_scope (Montréal) in association with the PHI Group (Montréal) and TS Productions (Paris).

"Having handled international sales of August 32nd on Earth (Un 32 août sur terre) and Maelström, I am thrilled to be working with Denis again and very pleased to starting a relationship with micro_scope, who are among the most talented young producers in Quebec," said Charlotte Mickie, Executive Vice-President of Entertainment One International. "We are all deeply honoured by this invitation to Venice Days."

Canadian films previously presented at Venice Days include C.R.A.Z.Y. (2005) by Jean-Marc Vallée and Continental, A Film Without Guns (Continental, un film sans fusil) (2007) by Stéphane Lafleur.

The 67th Venice International Film Festival, taking place on September 1 to September 11, 2010, will announce its line-up on July 29, 2010.

Canadian cinema has been shining brightly in Europe this summer, including at the prominent film festivals Karlovy Vary and Locarno (August 4 to August 14, 2010).

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: Denise Arab, Director, Communications, Telefilm Canada, 514-283-0838, ext. 2099, [email protected]; www.twitter.com/telefilm_canada