New Norman McLaren Prize to be presented to the winner of the Short Film Palme d’Or

April 28, 2005 – The National Film Board of Canada is proud to announce 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 d’Or.

Véronique Cayla, Director General of the Cannes Film Festival, remarked, “Each year, some fifteen films compete for the Short Film Palme d’Or. 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 McLaren’s 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 d’Or 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 McLaren’s films with the best digital technologies available.”

The Norman McLaren Prize includes a cash prize of €3000 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 winner’s next short film. The Norman McLaren Prize will be presented on Sunday, May 22 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 over 10,000 films and won over 4,500 awards, including 5 Palmes d’Or and 11 Oscars®. As Canada’s public film producer, the NFB produces and distributes distinctive, challenging and relevant audiovisual works.

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