Next generation of Canadian talent hit the Croisette

TORONTO, May 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Telefilm Canada is pleased to present its list of Canadian talent to watch at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival (May 13 to 24, 2015). This year's honourees, representing the next wave of Canadian filmmaking, are: director Andrew Cividino (Sleeping Giant, Critics' Week), co-directors Philippe David Gagné and Jean-Marc E. Roy (Bleu tonnerre, Directors' Fortnight), as well as co-producers Menaïc Raoul and Gabrielle Tougas-Fréchette (Bleu tonnerre, Directors' Fortnight). These individuals join a long list of Canadians who have made an impact at the Cannes Film Festival over the years.

"Congratulations to these exceptional individuals on being selected, some for the very first time, to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival," said Carolle Brabant, Telefilm's Executive Director. "Through initiatives such as the Micro-Budget Production Program and the Not Short on Talent market screenings, we're focused on the discovery and encouragement of new filmmaking talent, since this is the best means of ensuring future success of our industry."

Andrew Cividino, Toronto
Writer/Director—Sleeping Giant, Critics' Week

Andrew Cividino's feature film debut, Sleeping Giant, will screen as part of Cannes' Critics' Week. The feature is an extension of his award-winning short of the same name, which picked up a Junior Jury Award in the Leopards of Tomorrow—International Competition at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2014.

Philippe David Gagné and Jean-Marc E. Roy, Montreal
Co-Directors/Co-Writers—Bleu tonnerre, Directors' Fortnight

This is Philippe David Gagné and Jean Marc E. Roy's first visit to the Cannes Film Festival where their short film Bleu tonnerre will screen as part of the Directors' Fortnight.

Jean-Marc's short films Puisqu'il le faut and Nevermind have been shown in festivals around the world and have received numerous accolades. The series Cowboy: Un rêve canadien, also co-directed with Philippe David Gagné, was nominated for a 2014 Gémeaux. A huge fan of French-Canadian folk culture, Roy is currently working on his first feature documentary.

Philippe's first film, the documentary Sur la glace, won several awards including the people's choice and jury prizes at the 15^th annual Vidéastes Recherché•es competition. The Web series Pick-up: À la rencontre d'un bout du monde, co-directed with Jean-Marc E. Roy, won a 2012 Gémeaux award. He is presently working on his first feature film, Boutefeu.

Menaïc Raoul and Gabrielle Tougas-Fréchette, Montreal
Co-Producers, Bleu tonnerre—Directors' Fortnight

The prolific producing team behind Bleu tonnerre, Menaïc Raoul and Gabrielle Tougas-Fréchette have had notable success on the festival circuit with the shorts they produce. In addition to Bleu tonnerre, they travelled to Cannes in 2011, with Ce n'est rien by Nicolas Roy as part of the Official Selection, and in 2012, with Avec Jeff, à moto by Marie-Ève Juste as part of Directors' Fortnight.

For details on the Canadian delegation at Cannes, visit our microsite at http://canada-cannes2015.ca/en/.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

SOURCE Telefilm Canada

Douglas Chow, Head, Public Relations, Telefilm Canada, [phone] ext. 2548, or 1-800-463-4607, [email protected]