Telefilm Canada Presents the 2009 Guichet d'or Award to the Writers and
Director of De père en flic

MONTREAL, March 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada this morning presented its annual Guichet d'or Award at the Montréal Police Headquarters, in the presence of Michel Roy, Chairman of the board. Now in its third year, the Guichet d'or is awarded to the writer and director of the French-language Canadian film with the highest grossing domestic box-office sales from the previous year. The top earner for 2009 was the smash hit comedy De père en flic, which took in $10.5 million following its Quebec release last July. The winners of the 2009 Guichet d'or Award and accompanying cash prizes totalling $40,000 are Émile Gaudreault, co-writer and director, and Ian Lauzon, co-writer.

"De père en flic has become the biggest French-language hit in Canadian movie history, and we are pleased to reward this success by presenting the Guichet d'or Award and cash prizes to Ian Lauzon and Émile Gaudreault," said Michel Pradier, Director, Project financing, at Telefilm Canada. "Telefilm strives to recognize the success of the key talent behind Canadian cinema, because it is these outstanding partners - the hardworking filmmakers, producers, promoters and distributors - who keep our industry solid and vibrant."

De père en flic was produced by Denise Robert and Daniel Louis for Cinémaginaire with the financial support of Telefilm Canada. The cast, starring Michel Côté and Louis-José Houde, also features Rémy Girard, Caroline Dhavernas, Robin Aubert, Patrick Drolet, Luc Senay, Pierre Collin, Normand D'Amour, Patrice Coquereau, Jici Lauzon, Sylvie Boucher and Jean-Michel Anctil.

De père en flic tells the tale of two cops, Jacques and his son Marc, who don't get along but have to work together. Their mission: to save a fellow officer who has been kidnapped by a biker gang. Success hinges on the bikers' lawyer, Charles Bérubé, who is clearly suffering pangs of guilt and appears ready to cooperate with the police. But getting to him won't be easy. Jacques and Marc go undercover as real estate agents, planning to approach Bérubé at a father-son therapy group in the forest. Can they earn his trust and convince him to reveal all he knows? De père en flic is a classic cop comedy combined with a hilarious look at father-son relationships.

Last year's Guichet d'or Award winners were co-writers/directors Robert Ménard and Michel Côté and co-writer Claire Wojas for the film Cruising Bar 2. Michel Côté presented the award to the two 2009 winners.

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. The Corporation also administers the funding programs of the Canada Feature Film Fund, the Canadian Television Fund and the Canada New Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.gc.ca.

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