Canada Wins Big in Locarno

Montreal, August 19, 2010 – Telefilm Canada is delighted by the recent success of Canadian productions at the Locarno Film Festival, held August 8 to August 14, 2010 in Switzerland. Selected in the International Competition, Denis Côté’s most recent film, Curling, took home the Silver Leopard for Best Director, at the same time winning a prize of $30,000. The film’s lead actor, Emmanuel Bilodeau, received the Best Actor award.

“The international success of Canadian productions is a real springboard, attracting audiences both abroad and nationally. Recognition at a prestigious festival such as Locarno translates into invaluable visibility and recognition for our creators,” said Sheila de La Varende, Director of National and International Business Development at Telefilm Canada.

Curling is scheduled to open in theatres across Quebec on October 29, 2010. Set on the fringe of society, in a remote part of the countryside, it takes a keen look at the unusual private life of a father and daughter. Between his unremarkable jobs, Jean-François Sauvageau devotes an awkward energy to Julyvonne. The fragile balance of their relationship will be jeopardized by some very dreary circumstances.

The love story between Denis Côté and Locarno goes back a long way. These are the fourth and fifth prizes the filmmaker has won over the last five years at the festival. His États Nordiques (2005), Vies privées (2007) and Elle veut le chaos (2008) were all presented at the Swiss festival.

We also acknowledge the special mention awarded to Ivory Tower, a Canada-France coproduction by Adam Traynor, which took part in the Filmmakers of the Present Competition. Starring Chilly Gonzales, Tiga and Peaches, the film tells the story of Hershell and Thadeus, two chess-playing brothers and their rivalry over both the chessboard and a woman. The film opens on September 15, 2010 at Camera Bar in Toronto.
Curling was funded by Telefilm through the Low Budget Independent Feature Film Assistance Program of the Canada Feature Film Fund.  

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. Please visit www.telefilm.ca.

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For information:
Denise Arab
Director, Communications
Telefilm Canada
514-283-0838, ext. 2099
arabd@telefilm.ca
www.twitter.com/telefilm_canada