| The following press release was distributed earlier today by the Banff World Media Festival. |
Toronto - May 8, 2024 - The Banff World Media Festival with the Directors Guild of Canada announced today that Amelia Moses (Havoc Films) is the recipient of the 2024 Jean-Marc Vallée bursary. Sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada, the bursary offers a Québec-based director an opportunity to attend the Festival to showcase their work, and gain industry profile.
Announced during BANFF’s 2022 Rockies Gala, the annual bursary honors the legacy of Québec filmmaker, Jean-Marc Vallée, (Big Little Lies, Dallas Buyers Club). In addition to providing recipients with a pass to BANFF and $5000, the bursary also supports travel funding, and a curated suite of professional development opportunities provided by BANFF, the DGC, and Warner Bros. Discovery Canada.
“Jean-Marc Vallée had a truly authentic voice in our industry. He was committed to supporting his beloved film community in Montréal, by generously giving of his time and financial assistance to emerging talent. We are so pleased to be able to support his efforts and the next generation of Québec filmmakers with our partners the DGC and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada,” says BANFF Executive Director, Jenn Kuzmyk.
“Jean-Marc matched his dedication to film and to the film community with a gracious and unwavering commitment to supporting and mentoring emerging filmmakers,” says Warren P. Sonoda, President of the Directors Guild of Canada. “We could not ask for a more fitting tribute to his memory than backing talented artists like Amelia.”
Moses’ first feature film, Bleed With Me, that she wrote, directed and produced highlights her female-driven stories of the macabre, and the uncanny. The film premiered at the Fantasia International Film Festival and was distributed as a ‘Shudder Original’ (AMC Networks) in 2021. Bloodthirsty that she directed was the closing night film at Austin’s Fantastic Festival, and was nominated for two 2021 Canadian Screen Awards. She recently directed the thriller, Guess Who for Tubi, and is currently finishing up a new short film called, Her Body.
“Attending the Banff Media Festival was an experience I will never forget. Not only is the setting absolutely stunning, but the festival is a who’s who of the globe’s most influential television players. Banff Media Festival broadened my understanding of the TV world, while at the same time expanding my network. It was invaluable!” Elza Kephart, inaugural 2023 Jean-Marc Vallée bursary recipient (director of Graveyard Alive: A Zombie Nurse in Love, and Slaxx).
-30-
