Montréal, January 19, 2011 – Telefilm Canada warmly congratulates Denis Villeneuve whose film Incendies advances to the next round for the Oscar nomination in the Foreign Language Film category. Announced earlier today by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, the feature is now just one of nine films in the race for the Oscar nomination.

“We are extremely proud of this recognition for Incendies,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “This prestige will not only prove to be an important step in the film’s life, but will also serve to highlight the value and cultural importance of our cinema.”

“We salute the entire team behind the film, and wish Denis and all the filmmakers much luck in the Oscar race,” she added.

“We are proud to have partnered with Denis Villeneuve, Luc Déry, Kim McCraw and the team entire behind Incendies since the beginning,” said Michel Pradier, Director of Project Financing at Telefilm Canada. “Denis Villeneuve is one of Canada’s leading filmmakers with the talent to produce films that speak to audiences around the world.”

In September, Incendies was named Canada’s official Oscar submission by a pan-Canadian committee chaired by Telefilm Canada. Overall, films from 65 countries were submitted for consideration this year.

Written and directed by Denis Villeneuve, Incendies has garnered critical acclaim both here and around the world.

Last year's Genie winner Denis Villeneuve returns with "Incendies"

Among its numerous awards and honours, the film has been named the Best Film at Venice Days, Best Canadian Feature Film at the Toronto, Vancouver and Atlantic film festivals, Best Canadian Film and Best Director by the Toronto Film Critics Association, as well as shortlisted for Best Foreign Film at the U.S. National Board of Review.

Most recently, Denis Villeneuve was named one of Variety magazine’s directors to watch in 2011.

Don’t let that happy little snowflake logo and touristy “Be There” slogan fool you about this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

It may look as though Sundance 2011 is playing more to the skiers who normally crowd the Wasatch Range slopes of Park City, Utah, than the independent film buffs who will pack the place Jan. 20-30.

But festival director John Cooper and founder Robert Redford are really serious about independent film, which needs all the help it can get in a movie industry increasingly dominated by blockbuster franchises.

“I do the ‘Be There’ phrase as a command: Be There!” Cooper said in an interview, laughing.

“If you’re coming to Sundance and not really serious about independent films, then don’t come. It’s about thinking a little bit deeper and not just thinking about the parties or who’s there or even what’s going to sell. It’s thinking about the quality of the films first.”

That’s music to the ears of Redford, who last year initiated a campaign with the sleeves-rolled-up theme “ReWork” to revitalize a fest he felt was drifting away from risk-taking and towards complaceny.

The gambit paid off: witness the Oscar buzz and other laurels surrounding such Sundance 2010 hits as The Kids Are All Right, Winter’s Bone and Exit Through the Gift Shop.

“I worked pretty hard last year to bring Sundance back to a place that was more where it was when it began,” Redford told the Star.

To continue reading Peter Howell’s full article please visit Toronto Star’s Website: http://bit.ly/gdxHQA

Actor & Co-Founder of Tribeca Film Festival

The American actor, director and producer Robert De Niro will be President of the Jury of the 64^thFestival de Cannes, due to take place from May 11^th to 22^th 2011.
When he accepted the invitation, Robert De Niro said : « The Cannes Film Festival is a rare opportunity for me as it is one of the oldest and one of the best in the world. »

Inviting Robert De Niro as President of the Jury of Cannes, the organizers want to pay also tribute to the co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival which celebrates its 10^thanniversary in 2011. Robert De Niro, well known for his love of New York, co-founded Manhattan’s Tribeca Film Center in 1989, the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002, which has a sister festival in Doha.

Film Market Access Applications for the up-comming festival begins January 17, 2011. http://market-access.ca/application Applications can be obtained from the application page on this website . Prices for each package will be presented on January 17th.

Read more on this story at www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/57948.html