Free entry, but registration form required: FIFEM.com
1:00 to 2:30 PM
Panel #1: The future of short films for young audiences
3:00 to 5:00 PM
Panel #2: The state of animation film in Canada: current situation and development strategy
5:30 to 7:00 PM
Industry(al) Happy Hour cocktail!
With the collaboration of Canada Media Fund
Moderation & Summary
Moderated by Miguel Lambert, screenwriter and director of short films for young audiences (Le Roi est Mort, Marmote Intrépide), this panel will open a discussion on the challenges facing short films for young audiences, with the help of three professionals involved in screenwriting/directing, production, and distribution.
The guests will discuss their experiences, both good and bad, and this panel will explore the unique characteristics of youth short films, including their development, production, distribution at festivals, and their life after release. The main objective is to inform the public and raise awareness about the importance of producing more youth short films.
Panelists and Guest
Justine Gauthier, Filmmaker
Justine Gauthier is a Montreal-based director and editor. L’appartement, her first short film, won an award at the Festival Regard and has been screened at several festivals around the world. As an editor, she has collaborated with famous directors like Monia Chokri (La Femme de mon frère) and Philippe Falardeau (Le temps des framboises), among others. In 2023, she directed the short film À Mort le bikini !
Fanny-Laure Malo, Producer
Since founding her company « La Boîte à Fanny » in 2011, Fanny-Laure Malo has produced many feature films Sarah préfère la course, and Pays, by Chloé Robichaud; Le rire, by Martin Laroche; Vous n’êtes pas seuls by Philippe Lupien and Marie-Hélène Viens. In 2026, she co-produced The last whale singer, a feature animation film by Reza Memari that will be presented at the closing ceremony of the 29th edition of FIFEM. She has produced more than a dozen short films, including Chat mort, and Chef de meute. Her productions have been screened at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Telluride, and TIFF, and have won numerous awards both internationally and domestically.
Fanny-Laure is a recipient of the AQPM and FCTMN Emerging Talent Awards and was nominated for the CMPA Feature Producer Award, Emerging Producer. She has also participated in Berlinale Talents and the Rotterdam Lab and is a member of the ACE Producers’ Network. Fanny-Laure is also vice president of the René Malo Foundation, an organization that supports non-profit organizations working with children and adolescents.
Marc-Olivier Blackburn, Distributor of distribution, Welcome Aboard
Originally from Jonquière, QC, Marc-Olivier turned to cinema through his studies at the University of Montreal, where he graduated in 2018. He continued his studies in marketing by enrolling in a graduate program at the UQAM School of Management. At the same time, Marc-Olivier began his professional career at “Welcome Aboard” as an intern in 2019. He became increasingly involved in the distribution organization over time and currently holds the position of Director of Distribution.
Originaire de Jonquière QC, Marc-Olivier Blackburn s’oriente vers le cinéma à travers ses études à l’Université de Montréal où il obtient son diplôme en 2018. Il poursuit ses études en Marketing en entamant un DESS à l’école de gestion de l’UQAM. En parallèle, Marc-Olivier commence son parcours professionnel chez Welcome Aboard comme stagiaire en 2019. Il s’implique de plus en plus dans l’organisme de distribution au fil du temps et occupe actuellement le poste de directeur de la distribution.
TOPICS COVERED
Direction and screenplay
– Why choose a youth-oriented subject?
– How do you define your youth audience? (e.g., ages 0-4, 5-8, 8-12)
– Do you think a youth film can have a sad ending?
Producer
– How do you finance a youth short film?
– What are the expectations for a children’s short film?
– What distinguishes a children’s film shoot from other types of shoots?
Distributor/Festival
– How can you promote a short film aimed at young audiences?
– What is the place of children’s short films at festivals?
– How can children’s short films reach their audience beyond festivals?
Break - 2:30 pm to 3 pm
MODERATION & SUMMARY
This panel will open a discussion on the challenges facing animation film and Quebec’s expertise in the field, with the help of various professionals involved in the production, financing, and distribution of this genre.
The guests will discuss their experiences, both good and bad, as well as current topics concerning international and Canadian animated film. This panel will serve to highlight the challenges facing animated film in Canada, such as its share of the international market, international co-productions, and the next generation of filmmakers, in order to reflect on its future.
Moderated by Mireille Darveau, Director of French content at Canada Media Fund (CMF)
PANELISTS & GUESTS
Florence Roche, TOBO production
Co-founder of the production company “Tobo”, Florence Roche is passionate about and driven by youth content. “Tobo” stands out for its child-friendly productions on current topics, such as the journey of a young refugee: the series Dounia and the animated feature films Dounia and the Princess of Aleppo and The Great White Country. Florence has produced the series L’expo idéale and Récréations, which focus on creativity, Le monde selon, which addresses ethnocultural diversity, the series Frida, c’est moi, and the animated feature film Hola Frida, which deal with difference, resilience, and the power of imagination.
Fanny-Laure Malo, Producer
Since founding her company « La Boîte à Fanny » in 2011, Fanny-Laure Malo has produced many feature films Sarah préfère la course, and Pays, by Chloé Robichaud; Le rire, by Martin Laroche; Vous n’êtes pas seuls by Philippe Lupien and Marie-Hélène Viens. In 2026, she co-produced The last whale singer, a feature animation film by Reza Memari that will be presented at the closing ceremony of the 29th edition of FIFEM. She has produced more than a dozen short films, including Chat mort, and Chef de meute. Her productions have been screened at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Sundance, Telluride, and TIFF, and have won numerous awards both internationally and domestically.
Fanny-Laure is a recipient of the AQPM and FCTMN Emerging Talent Awards and was nominated for the CMPA Feature Producer Award, Emerging Producer. She has also participated in Berlinale Talents and the Rotterdam Lab and is a member of the ACE Producers’ Network. Fanny-Laure is also vice president of the René Malo Foundation, an organization that supports non-profit organizations working with children and adolescents.
Michel Pradier, Consultant international co-production
Michel Pradier is a veteran of the film industry. After serving as Deputy Director of Business Relations at SODEC for several years, he went on to become Director of Project Financing at Telefilm Canada for 22 years. Today, as an expert in feature film and television financing, he leads workshops on international co-production at professional gatherings abroad and participated in the financing of the film Space Cadet with his production company Roquette Science Productions.
Renaud Sylvain, Producer
Renaud Sylvain is the president, founder, and executive producer of Happy Camper Media, an animation studio and production company based in Quebec City. He is notably behind the successful transition to the screen of major children’s franchises such as Agent Jean !, Les dragouilles, Savais-tu ? and Mini-Jean et Mini-Bulle, as well as their adaptations into various formats (podcasts, web games).
Since 2018, he has been combining his passion for storytelling with his expertise in business, communication, and marketing to bring original Quebec content to life in animation and promote it internationally to young audiences.
Under his leadership, the company has grown rapidly, from a small team to several dozen employees. Known for his agile and collaborative approach, Renaud instills Happy Camper Media with his DNA of innovation and creativity. Active in his industry, he has chaired the Consultative committee for cinéma and television of the National Capital, and the Créneau d’excellence Québec EPIX in technocreativity for the past four years. In 2024, he was the winner of the “Prix de la relève Vincent-Gabriele” awarded by the AQPM.
TOPICS COVERED
Quebec honored at the 27th Cartoon Movie (2026)
– The absence of Canadian animated films in European co-productions (Eurimages)
The reality of international co-productions for animated films
– Testimonial from Fanny Malo with Vincent and the Sea Prophecy
– Testimonial from the German producer (video to be confirmed)
– What is holding things back?
Accessible financing for Canadian animation production
– Distribution of public funds (production and promotion)
– Adapting works for animation
The rise of Happy Camper
– Acquisition of La Pastèque works for film adaptation
– Working group to develop a major professional event in the animation industry, such as Cartoon Connection Production teams
– Training and talent exodus
The future of animation in Quebec and Canada
– Strategic development plans
– The next generation in the animation industry
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