Photo credit : Max-Antoine Guérin
Since the 9th edition of the Festival, the Short Film Market has endeavoured to create unique moments for filmmakers, institutions, producers, distributors, buyers, and program schedulers from here and elsewhere to meet and interact. A source of inspiration and networking, the event is today essential for the promotion and distribution of short films.
During the Short Film Market, REGARD offers activities for the general public, an ideal opportunity to discover the work and vision of international artists and craftspeople, as well as activities reserved for professionals in the field. The international guests are also delighted to have the chance to discover the region and take part in sightseeing activities away from the hustle and bustle of the Market!
PRO FOR ACTIVITIES RESERVED FOR PROFESSIONNALS
REGARD offers its guests fulfilling activities in terms of advice and learning opportunities. Among others, the Distributor’s Pitch, which is an activity reserved exclusively for Québec distributors. This activity is an excellent opportunity for the distributors to present their film bank to buyers as well exchange with them about their future projects.
Issues related to the distribution of short films remain a complex subject. All stakeholders are concerned by these issues. The Market’s Think Tank event was an exciting opportunity to confront ideas and jointly develop fresh proposals.
The Festival once again organized the not-to-be-missed Pro Networking Breakfast. The breakfast, a hotbed of informal encounters to establish new close ties or meet program schedulers, distributors, producers, and other craftspeople of the industry, sometimes leads to the realization of multiple initiatives, agreements, and projects.
LESSONS AND CONVERSATIONS ON CINEMA, Friday and Saturday at Hotel Chicoutimi
The afternoon on Friday ended with a lesson in cinema with Karl Lemieux, hosted by Philippe Gajan. An intimate exchange with an exceptional Québec filmmaker who, through his approach and the diversity of his creations, never ceases to amaze. Karl Lemieux, a visionary for whom music and image go hand in hand, provides the viewer with an extreme sensory experience that straddles the boundary between figuration and abstraction. With great generosity, Karl raised awareness among the young filmmakers at the event to the importance of being bold and making one’s mark in the industry one film at a time.
Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, Sophie Goyette, and Guillaume Lambert in action in “From Shorts to Feature Film ”, a lively and enlightened discussion on the theme of creation. The three Québec filmmakers have recently made their first feature films. They spoke of the challenges of the transition from the short format to feature film. The three distinct visions of the seventh art were marked differently by the challenges writing and directing pose, but shared the common trait of being carried by both passion and reason.
Saturday afternoon, Momoko Seto proposed a lesson in cinema, hosted by Philippe Gajan. The Japanese artist offered the participants a peculiar approach with regard to her relationship with reality, time, and transformations. The filmmaker has the outstanding ability to produce startling documentaries that bear a unique perspective.
After two lessons and a conference, the conversation with Fanny Mallette, hosted by Manon Dumais, closed these activities. The actress’s remarkable and powerful message about the importance of taking one’s time when creating resonated deeply with the audience. The actress made a passionate plea about the working conditions of cinema and television actors and craftspeople.
THE MADNESS OF VR, Thursday to Saturday at Moulin à Cie
Together with the growing popularity of virtual reality, REGARD hosted the new section of the Festival du nouveau cinéma, FNC eXPlore. They proposed a series of virtual experiments consisting of interactive works, installations, as well as interactive films.
To close the Market, the NAD School offered festival-goers a conference to demystify everything related to the virtual reality phenomenon!
SOME FUN
Every year, REGARD organizes compelling outdoor activities so that the international guests can experience Québec’s winter and make their stay all the more memorable. For most of them, this is their first time in Canada. Thus, our guests can discover the cold of our winter, poutine, maple products, snow, and the kindness of the people of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. On the program of the 21st edition: tobogganing, Nordic spa, a bus tour to discover off-the-beaten-track areas of the city, and a helicopter tour. Total escapism guaranteed!