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Canadian films and talent take centre stage at the 2017 Guanajuato International Film Festival in Mexico

20 July 2017

Canadian talent front and centre as 150 contemporary and classic Canadian films screen

Montreal, July 20, 2017 – In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation, Canada has been invited as this year’s Country of Honor at the 20th Guanajuato International Film Festival, which runs from July 21 to 30, 2017, in the cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato, Mexico. The festival’s Spotlight on Canada will showcase some of our country’s most renowned filmmakers, brightest talents and emerging stars, as well as a number of recent Canada-Mexico coproductions.

“The Guanajuato International Film Festival will be an outstanding forum for Canadian cinema, highlighting its excellence, diversity and originality,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada. “Not only does the festival allow us to strengthen the cultural relationship between Canada and Mexico, it underscores just how important and influential the Canadian industry is on the international scene. In this celebratory year, as we mark Canada’s 150th birthday and Telefilm’s 50th anniversary, there’s no question that more and more movie-goers around the world are seeking out Canadian films and talent.”

Pierre Alarie, Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico, said: “This year has provided us with the unique opportunity to strengthen our sense of what it means to be Canadian and to show it to Mexico and to the world. The Canada Spotlight at GIFF is one of our cultural highlights. It will be a time to celebrate our shared values, our many creative achievements, the majesty of our environment, and, of course, our place in the world.”

Added Sarah Hoch, Executive Director and Founder, Guanajuato International Film Festival
“For GIFF, it’s a huge honour to join Canada in celebrating the sesquicentennial of its confederation. We are thrilled to commemorate Canadian cinema’s vast and diverse history, as well as its wealth of new talent, by presenting 150 titles on this occasion, which marks a very important moment in the relations between our two nations. We look forward to discussing the free-trade agreement in the Bilateral Co-Production Forum and to inspire more co-production projects between both countries.”

Canadian talent and films present
Canadian features and documentaries will screen in several festival sections, including recent releases Maudie, It’s Only the End of the World, Window Horses: The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming, Angry Inuk, Weirdos and Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World. Such classic Canadian titles as Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner, The Decline of the American Empire, Stories We Tell, and The Sweet Hereafter have also been programmed.

Short films will be presented in eight programs with a selection from different institutions, festivals and special projects, including Wapikoni Mobile, the Ottawa International Animation Festival, Regard sur le court-métrage au Saguenay, and Not Short on Talent (a Telefilm initiative).

An array of Canadian talent will also be on hand, among them directors Ashley McKenzie (Werewolf), Kevan Funk (Hello Destroyer), and Nettie Wild (Koneline: Our Land Beautiful); actor Sarah Gadon (Alias Grace, Indignation, Cosmopolis); and producers Sylvain Corbeil (Mommy), Mike MacMillan (Weirdos) and Fanny Laure Malo (Boundaries).

As well, Canadian indie band The Dears will perform at a “Canada Day” event on July 27, 2017.

To learn more, please consult the full program: http://anyflip.com/mclb/ylre/

About Spotlight on Canada at GIFF
Spotlight on Canada is a Telefilm Canada initiative in partnership with the Embassy of Canada in Mexico, Destination Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico and many of its generous members.

For details about the Canadian films and talent at the Guanajuato International Film Festival, please visit giff.mx and facebook.com/giffmexico.

About Telefilm Canada—Inspired by talent. Viewed everywhere.
Celebrating 50 years in 2017, Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual treaty coproductions to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2013, the Talent Fund accepts private donations to principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

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Media enquiries:

Andrea Archibald, Deputy Director, Communications, Telefilm Canada
(514) 283-0838 ext. 2047 or 1-800-567-0890
andrea.archibald@telefilm.ca