Denise Robert Wins CMPA’s Producer’s Award at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto – The Canadian Media Production Association announces Denise Robert is the recipient of the fifth annual CMPA (formerly CFTPA) Producer’s Award of $10,000 cash prize. The Award was presented at the Festival’s new Filmmakers’ Lounge at the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival® earlier today.
Denise Robert (Cinémaginaire) is well known to Canadians for her work on films including Father and Guns (De père en flic), Days of Darkness (L’âge des ténèbres), The Rocket (Maurice Richard), Alys Robi… Bittersweet Memories (Ma vie en cinémascope), The Barbarian Invasions (Les invasions barbares), Mambo Italiano, The Widow of Saint-Pierre (La Veuve de Saint-Pierre) and The Confessional (Le confessionnal).
Denise’s most recent project is Route 132, a powerful drama directed by veteran filmmaker Louis Bélanger, which premieres tomorrow, September 10, at the Festival.
“Producing feature films is a monumental undertaking. And, to complete one takes a combination of vision, extreme commitment and deep passion," says Norm Bolen, President and CEO, CMPA. "I would like to congratulate Denise Robert on winning the Canadian Media Production Association's Producer Award at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.”
“Denise Robert’s body of work speaks for itself. She has been instrumental in bringing to the screen stories that resonate with Canadians,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO, TIFF.
This year’s winner was selected from a group of five nominees chosen from more than 29 eligible Canadian films being screened at the Festival this year. The jury includes Chair Kevin Tierney (President, Park Ex Pictures), Michael Kennedy (Executive Vice-President, Filmed Entertainment, Cineplex Entertainment LP), Kari Skogland (Filmmaker, Skogland Films Ltd.), Julia Rosenberg (Producer, January Films Limited) and Judy Gladstone (Executive Director, BravoFACT!
About the CMPA:
The CMPA represents the interests of screen-based media companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and new media content in all regions of Canada. Our almost 400 member companies are significant employers of Canadian creative talent and assume the financial and creative risk of developing original content for Canadian and international audiences. Independent production companies generate a large majority of the $5 billion of production activities that occurs each year, and maintain 160,000 high-quality jobs.
About TIFF
TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. TIFF generates an annual economic impact of $170 million CAD and currently employs more than 100 full-time staff and 500 part-time and seasonal staff, and counts upon the largesse of over 2,000 volunteers year-round.
About TIFF Bell Lightbox
Currently under construction, TIFF Bell Lightbox, a breathtaking five-storey complex located in downtown Toronto, will provide a permanent home for film lovers to celebrate cinema from around the world and will propel TIFF forward as an international leader in film culture. Designed by innovative architecture firm KPMB, TIFF Bell Lightbox’s fluid structure encourages exploration, movement and play. The campaign to build TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by lead sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the King and John Festival Corporation – consisting of the Reitman family and the Daniels Corporation – RBC as major sponsor and official bank, major sponsor BlackBerry, Visa†, the Copyright Collective of Canada, the Slaight Family Foundation, The Daniels Corporation, NBC Universal Canada, the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, the Harbinger Foundation, Mackenzie Financial, CIBC and BMO. The Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals and corporations have also contributed to the campaign. For more information on the TIFF Bell Lightbox campaign, visit tiff.net/tiffbelllightbox
For further information contact: Anne Trueman, Director, Communications and Media, CMPA
T: (613) 233-1444 x 227, C: (613) 851-4538, [email protected]
Communications Department, Toronto International Film Festival
T: (416) 934-3200 or [email protected]