The National Film Board of Canada has announced the creation of the Norman McLaren Prize, under the aegis of the Cannes Film Festival. The prize will be presented each year to the winner of the Short Film Palme dOr.
Véronique Cayla, director general of the Cannes Film Festival, remarked, Each year, some 15 films compete for the Short Film Palme dOr. We are delighted to pair the Norman McLaren Prize with this award in tribute to this great master of animated shorts, who is an inspiration for filmmakers around the world. In 2006, the Festival will participate in the launch of Norman McLarens complete works by presenting a selection of his restored films.
Jacques Bensimon, NFB chairperson and Canadian government film commissioner, added, Norman McLaren made some sixty films at the NFB, and these pioneering works are now part of international film heritage. In 1955, McLaren won the Short Film Palme dOr for his film BLINKITY BLANK. Fifty years later, we are happy to create the Norman McLaren Prize in his memory. A memory that we keep very much alive through the collection and the conservation of his works. To make his work more accessible and to give everyone the world over the pleasure of rediscovering this master of the short-film genre, the NFB is restoring all of McLarens films with the best digital technologies available.
The Norman McLaren Prize includes a cash prize of 3,000 for the director along with an optional offer from the NFB to take care of international distribution of the winning short film and/or co-produce/invest in the winners next short film. The first Norman McLaren Prize will be presented on May 22, 2005, at 11:00 am at La Plage des Palmes in the presence of the president and members of the Cinéfondation and Short Film Jury.
Since its creation in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada has produced more than 10,000 films and won more than 4,500 awards, including five Palmes dOr and 11 Oscars. As Canadas public film producer, the NFB produces and distributes distinctive, challenging and relevant audiovisual works.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
