CINEMANIA Film Festival is pleased to announce the award-winning films of its 24th edition that ended with the Closing Film EDMOND by Alexis Michalik this past Sunday evening at the Imperial Cinema. The star of the film, Thomas Solivérès, attended CINEMANIA’s International premiere, and introduced the screening. From November 1st to 11th, 31,000 festival-goers attended the 80 screenings of 67 feature films many of which were introduced by 24 guest celebrities.
Audiences voted LE GRAND BAIN (SINK OR SWIM) by Gilles Lellouche as the winner of the Mel Hoppenhein Prix du Public. Filmgoers were able to meet the director at a memorable screening held at the MAA Sports Club indoor swimming pool. Following its 2nd screening at CINEMANIA, LE GRAND BAIN, subtitled in English, opens on Friday, November 16th, at the Cineplex Odeon Forum Cinema. The film has recently been enjoying great box office success in France.
MADEMOISELLE DE JONCQUIERES by Emmanuel Mouret, EDMOND by Alexis Michalik and DOUBLES VIES by Olivier Assayas, respectively round-out the top four audience favourites.
A jury of young France-Quebec industry professionals, presided over by actress Sophie Desmarais, judged 11 first-time director’s feature films and awarded the TV5 Prix Jeunesse Francophone to Meryem Benm’Barek for her film SOFIA. The jury’s Special Mention went to THOSE WHO WORK (CEUX QUI TRAVAILLE) by Antoine Russbach, starring Olivier Gourmet.
One special event of the 24th edition was the pre-Opening film EMMA PETERS presented by Nicole Palo and actress Monia Chokri at the Outremont Theatre in front of more than 500 spectators. Notable films sold-out at the box office were THE WORLD IS YOURS (LE MONDE EST À TOI), LOLA AND HER BROTHERS, ONE NATION ONE KING (UN PEUPLE ET SON ROI), SINK OR SWIM (LE GRAND BAIN), MADEMOISELLE DE JONCQUIÈRES, THE ROYAL EXCHANGE (L’ÉCHANGE DES PRINCESSES), AN IMPOSSIBLE LOVE (UN AMOUR IMPOSSIBLE), NON-FICTION (DOUBLES VIES), A MAN IN A HURRY (UN HOMME PRESSÉ) and COLD WAR. Also enjoying sell-out crowds on the final Sunday were CALL MY AGENT (DIX POUR CENT), GIRLS OF THE SUN (LES FILLES DU SOLEIL) and EDMOND.
Gracing CINEMANIA’s stage, presenting their films during the Festival’s 11 days, were filmmakers Eva Husson, Romain Gavras, Gilles Lellouche, Emmanuel Mouret, Ursula Meier, Samuel Jouy, Guillaume Senez, and Nathan Ambrosioni, together with actors Élodie Bouchez, Monia Chokri, Mathieu Kassovitz, Laurent Lafitte, Yves Jacques, Edouard Baer, Vincent Macaigne and the Guest of Honour of the 24th edition, Olivier Gourmet.
In addition to several school screenings, CINEMANIA hosted a first-time seminar on film education – a panel of 15, including industry professionals and educators, took part in the discussion group. Coproduction meetings (Unterval) were also a great success, providing an opportunity for Quebec film industry producers to meet their overseas counterparts from France and other Francophone countries. Both events will remain on the Festival program next year.
CINEMANIA Film Festival returns with its 25th edition next year from November 7th to 17th, 2019.
