Photo: Maryse Boyce

The 23rd edition of the Sommets du cinéma d'animation came to a close today with the long-awaited awards ceremony. Once again this year, the competition has highlighted the richness and dynamism of Canadian animation. Before the winners were announced, studio La Bande Vidéo was awarded the Prix René-Jodoin, surrounded by its friends and loyal collaborators.

RAOUL-BARRÉ GRAND PRIZE FOR THE BEST CANADIAN STUDENT FILM
The prize includes a $2,000 bursary offered by the Raoul-Barré Foundation.

For the boldness and scope of its visual and narrative proposition, delivered with impressive technical skill, for the formal inventiveness of the interactions between image, sound and dialogue, and for the expressive power of the film.

HOPE IN THE TUNDRA by Jesu Medina
Concordia University - Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema

STUDENT COMPETITION MENTION
For the relevance of its subject, the quality of its characters and its intergenerational message.

VOIES DE PASSAGE by Geneviève Tremblay and Milla Cummings
Université Laval

GUY-L.-COTÉ GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST ANIMATED FILM
The prize includes a $2,000 bursary donated by Nancy Coté and the Cinémathèque québécoise.

For its ability to tackle a light-hearted yet committed subject with remarkable depth, brilliantly blending humor and sincerity, offering us a reflection full of freshness, and the unique quality of its animation, which is at once playful, aesthetic and emotional.

HAIRY LEGS by Andrea Dorfman
Production : Liz Cowie, National Film Board of Canada
Distribution: National Film Board of Canada

SPECIAL JURY AWARD - ÉCOLE NAD-UQAC
The prize includes a $1,000 scholarship awarded by École NAD-UQAC among the professional films in the official competition.

For the coherence between the animation techniques used and the progression of the story, his sense of space and rhythm, the great sensitivity with which he evokes human relationships, the hopeful message he brings out amidst the horror, the deeply vibrant tribute paid to his parents and the Rwandan people.

IBUKA, JUSTICE by Justice Rutikara
Production: Mylène Augustin, Yzanakio
Distribution: Spira

CANADIAN COMPETITION JURY MENTION
For a film that tackles an intimate subject with infectious honesty and humor, its striking and unique quality of object animation, the film's ability to navigate between drama and humor without losing its depth.

BLOODY MESS by Megan Wennberg
Production and distribution : Megan Wennberg, Tiny Kittens

BEST CHARACTER AWARD
For the beauty and singular energy of the character, whose inner transformation is keenly felt in a journey marked by pain and hardship, her sensitivity to intergenerational ties and her roots in both a world of legends and a very contemporary modernity.

"Dove" in INKWO FOR WHEN THE STARVING RETURN by Amanda Strong
Production: Maral Mohammadian, Spotted Fawn Productions / National Film Board of Canada
Distribution: National Film Board of Canada

BEST MUSIC VIDEO AWARD
For his wacky humor, his sense of rhythm, his marvelous blend of music and image, and his magnificent cows in the wind.

NAP EYES - DARK MYSTERY ENIGMA BIRD by Jordan Minkoff**
Production: Jordan Minkoff, Dr. Cool

BEST COMMISSIONED OR EDUCATIONAL FILM AWARD
For its joyfully inventive, free-spirited and vibrant form, the freshness and sincerity of its testimonials, and the positive, inclusive values it conveys to the queer community.

RÊVE TON FUTUR – KEN & RITZZ by Marianne Lavergne
Production : Bruno Mercure, Les 3 sex

AUDIENCE AWARD

IBUKA, JUSTICE by Justice Rutikara
Production: Mylène Augustin, Yzanakio
Distribution: Spira

PITCH CONTEST AWARD
Presented in collaboration with Telefilm Canada, La Caisse Desjardins de la Culture ($1,000 cash bursary) and H264 ($1,500 service bursary for distribution and promotional advice).

For the project's ability to plunge the public into the intimacy of its approach, for its immersive character and for the undeniable richness of its artistic proposal, which deserves to be supported.

Charlie Galea McClure for A HOUSE BETWEEN DEAD AND SLEEPING

MENTION
For its strong themes, powerful symbolism and use of surrealism, as well as for the way animation becomes a tool of power and reappropriation of speech for marginalized communities.

Sydnie Baynes for WELCOME TO A.N.N.A.

AUDIENCE AWARD - YOUNG CINEPHILES
The winner was selected by the young audience from the films presented in the Best of Annecy Kids 2024 program.

UNE GUITARE À LA MER by Sophie Roze

Production: Jean-François Bigot and Camille Raulo, JPL Films; and Nicolas Burlet, Nadasdy Film

BEST FILM AWARD - YOUNG JURY
The winner was selected by the new youth jury from the films presented in the Best of Annecy Kids 2024 program.

Because it's beautiful, touching, super funny... and has animals (big bonus point for the squirrels). And also, we really like looking at clouds. Like, a lot.

TÊTE EN L’AIR by Rémi Durin
Production: Arnaud Demuynck, Les Films du Nord

BEST CHARACTER AWARD - YOUNG JURY
The winner was selected by the new youth jury from the films presented in the Best of Annecy Kids 2024 program.

*Because he's so cool, he's got really big eyes (handy for spotting clouds), and taking pictures of clouds is a lot of fun!

“Alphonse” in TÊTE EN L'AIR by Rémi Durin
Production : Arnaud Demuynck, Les Films du Nord

The jury responsible for awarding the prizes was composed of :

• Olivier Bertrand, General and Artistic Director, La Chapelle scènes contemporaines;
• Thomas Corriveau, animation filmmaker and visual artist;
• John Harbour, historian and animation filmmaker;
• Brigitte Henry, photographer, artistic director and multidisciplinary artist;
• Monique Simard, producer and cultural manager.

RENÉ-JODOIN AWARD 2025
Created in 2015, the Sommets du cinéma d'animation and the Cinémathèque québécoise annually award the Prix René-Jodoin. This distinction recognizes the exemplary work accomplished by a Canadian animation personality or organization. This year, the award was presented to La Bande Vidéo, a media arts creation and dissemination support center specializing in art video and animated film, since 1977, in Quebec City.

“In a 2019 text devoted to the history of experimental animation in Quebec, I concluded that La Bande Vidéo was one of the driving forces behind animated creation. Exceptional artists from here and abroad have worked there, and incomparable works have been created. Since the acquisition of a pin screen by the organization in 2020, its influence has continued to grow. The work accomplished by the dedicated artisans who keep this breeding ground of talent alive is in keeping with the spirit of innovation and research favoured by René Jodoin,” emphasizes Marco du Blois, the festival's artistic director.

For the past 20 years, La Bande Vidéo has contributed to the emergence and maintenance of a strong up-and-coming independent animation scene in Quebec, as well as showcasing the work of more seasoned creators in the field. Internationally renowned Quebec artists - such as Diane Obowsawin, Moïa Jobin-Paré, Nicolas Brault, Alexandre Roy and Frédérick Tremblay, whose work has won numerous awards at festivals around the world - choose La Bande Vidéo for its wide-ranging technical expertise and attentive, rigorous support. Many international animation filmmakers also choose to work at La Bande Vidéo, as its reputation is widely recognized outside Quebec.