Quebecois Festival Takes Over Hollywood

Quebec’s finest artists have come to Hollywood to give Angelenos a chance to see, hear and taste Quebecois culture.

Through Sept. 25, the Quebec Government office in Los Angeles is holding the first-ever festival, a three-week event that gives Quebec talent the opportunity to connect with our iconic Tinseltown and its entertainment industry.

A government's goal for promoting culture

The Government of Quebec backed the festival, planning and carring out the entire program in collaboration with established partner organizations.

The festival comes from a government mandate set by the Quebec Government to increase connections with its southern neighbor, including cultural ties, according to the Quebec Department of International Relations. The government is looking to develop markets for Quebec's creators and cultural enterprises as well as promote its productions to the American public. 

Yanick Godbout of L.A.'s Quebec government office said that since 1987, the Quebec Government Office in L.A. has bonded with the American entertainment industry. A recent example of that working relationship is marked by the production of Cirque du Soleil at the Kodak Theatre.

“We are now bringing a selection of the best new talent from Quebec to Los Angeles,” Godbout said. “We hope that ‘Quebec in Hollywood’ will create the same effect and will serve as a springboard for the next wave of Quebecois success.”

Quebec's Department of International Relations notes Quebec's cultural sector and its impact on the province's economy is "considerable, but the limited size of the Quebec market makes it imperative to take measures to boost the circulation of its creators and their works."

Thus, Quebec has come to Hollywood.

The province isn't unknown to our entertainment industry. There are several proven successes and iconic names like Celine Dion and Cirque du Soleil. Quebec continues to pump out stars today, such as this year’s Grammy Award winner, Arcade Fire and director Denis Villeneuve, Oscar nominee for his film Incendies.

Several events of the three-week festival offered opportunities for Hollywood to sample many more talents of the French-speaking Canadian province.

“The ‘Quebec in Hollywood’ festival has been created to introduce Angelenos to Quebec’s distinctive creativity and flair,” Godbout said. “Also, we hope the festival will open doors for Quebec creatives to network with their Hollywood counterparts. That’s why studio execs and tech pros have been invited to the film, fashion and music events to meet with Quebec artists.”

Quebec's talent discuss the American connection

hosted the festival’s first film premiere on Sept. 16, “Quebec in Hollywood Films: The Other North American Cinema.”

Starbuck was the first of five films that was shown throughout the festival. Quebec celebrities, producers, directors, and other figures of the entertainment industry walked the blue carpet and discussed their home’s industry. 

“What we want to do is share what our great culture can do,”  said Andre Rouleau, a producer for Starbuck.

Daniel Roby, the director of Funkytown as well as a producer and actor for various Québécois projects, noted that many Americans know more about Canadian films, and not so much Quebecois ones because they tend to be in French.

“Maybe because of the language, those films are not as available to people here,” Roby said. “Despite that, I think L.A. and the rest of the country should know what’s happening in Quebec because we have a flourishing industry there. I think it would be great to see this festival next year with 10 to 15 films premiering.”

Lisa Langlois (L Word, Heartland) agreed that the U.S. is seeing more films and talent from the province and other parts of Canada, and hopes that Hollywood’s industry will notice that.

“I think its about time people know about them and don’t just see them as foreign actors,” Langlois said.  

Godbout noted that the festival took over a year to plan and organize but the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles has been a major partner in California for over 40 years. He said this is part of the office’s “pursuing its mission of keeping this outstanding relationship going strong.”

Other events at  “Quebec in Hollywood” included performances by top bands and comedy acts on renowned stages, a Montreal fashion runway show at Hollywood & Highland, restaurant tastings crafted by top Quebecois chefs, a green transportation design symposium, and gallery exhibitions.

For more info visit, www.quebecinhollywood.com or www.facebook.com/quebecinhollywood.