And the winners are - Writers Guild of Canada

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Cours écrire ton court 2015, fantasy cinema edition
And the winners are …
Montréal, Novembre 27, 2015 – Yesterday, the Société de développement des entreprises culturelles
(SODEC) unveiled the three winning projects of the 17th edition of Cours écrire ton court, at an evening
hosted at Montréal’s Phi Centre. This year’s competition was dedicated to the world of fantasy film.
SODEC Grand Prize
“For his uncompromising approach which reveals his mastery of the genre, for a cathartic vision of a
Northern myth, and for a subversive exploration of the female psyche,” Monique Simard, SODEC’s
President and Chief Executive Officer, presents the SODEC Grand Prize to Jay Reid for his screenplay,
Phases of the Moon. With a total value of $5,000, this prize is awarded to the best script. It includes a
writing scholarship and participation in the 2016 edition of an international film festival of the winner’s
choice, including transportation and accommodation. Jay Reid benefited from the expertise of consultant
Elza Kephart.
SARTEC Prize
For his script Le Salon spatial, Jean-Baptiste Levêque was awarded the SARTEC Prize, which is given
to the best French-language screenplay. The jury was moved by the juxtaposition of childhood naivety and
the gravity of disease, the touching narrative which has the potential to reach a large family audience
beyond our borders, and its remarquable resolution. Jean-Baptiste Levêque was aided by the expertise of
consultant Olivier Roberge.
WGC/Jimmy Lee Prize
For his original and unconventional concept, for having created a unique universe which takes form across
several medias, for having played with the codes and memes of cinema throughout his screenplay as well
as for his audacity and humour, the WGA/Jimmy Lee Prize was awarded to Gabriela MacLeod for
Parasite. This $1000 prize is awarded to the best English-language screenplay. Gabriela MacLeod
benefited from the expertise of consultant Maurice Devereaux.
Unis TV Prize
The evening was auspicious for Jean-Baptiste Levêque, whose screenplay Le Salon spatial also won the
Unis TV Prize, which is awarded to a French-language or silent project.. The jury affirmed their choice by
noting the fantastic aspects of the narrative which emerges from a dark backstory, the author’s ludic and
dramatic creativity, and a concept with universal appeal which will undoubtedly radiate from coast to
coast. The prize has a total value of $5,000 ($1,000 on receiving the prize and $4,000 on the first day of
production) and includes a broadcast license on Unis TV, the television network for Canadian
Francophones.
Marilyn Castonguay animated the evening and the selected script readings aided by her colleagues
Caroline Bouchard, Jean-Philippe Perras and Victor Andres Trelles Turgeon. Of the 105 submissions
received, the seven who made it to the grand finale were Rémi Dufresne (La Sirène), Sophie B Jacques
(Foyer), Jean-Baptiste Levêque (Le Salon spatial), Gabriela MacLeod (Parasite), Eduardo MoratayaGuevara (La main perdue), John Reid (Phases of the Moon) and Pablo Escobar Tuduri (FAT). All of the
candidates benefited from the advice and expertise of outside consultants, for whom the writing of short
films holds no secrets, who guided the candidates towards refining their screenplays. In addition to the
three afore-mentioned consultants, we include Gabriel Pelletier, Isabelle Hayeur, Samer Najari et
Frédéric Ouellet.
The jury was composed of Diane Cailhier representing the Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et
cinéma (SARTEC), Julia Lauzon representing Unis TV, Sophie Couture representing the Phi Centre,
Pierre-Mathieu Fortin representing Jimmy Lee/Sid Lee, director Éric Tessier and Marie Potvin,
moderator and SODEC project manager.
The competition Cours écrire ton cours is an initiative of SODEC’s Young Creators Program and is aimed
at emerging screenwriters. This 17th edition was made possible thanks to SODEC, in collaboration with
SARTEC, the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), Unis TV, Jimmy Lee, Sid Lee, the Festival du
nouveau cinéma de Montréal (FNC), the Phi Centre and the legal offices of Lussier & Khouzam.
About SODEC
SODEC is mandated to promote and support the development of cultural enterprises in Quebec and
abroad in the areas of cinema and television production, literature, arts and crafts, as well as music and
variety performance.
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Source and information
Isabelle Mercille
Director of communications and institutional relations
514-841-2200 | 1- 800-363-0401
[email protected]
http://www.sodec.gouv.qc.ca/