FILMS 53/12

BIO

François Delisle
Producer / Director / Screenwriter

FRANÇOIS DELISLELMS53/12

Before majoring in cinema at Montreal’s Concordia University, François Delisle directed several experimental short films on super-8 including "La Grande Fosse" (selected for the Festival international du jeune cinéma de Montréal in 1987), "Swing Troubadour" and "Un Requin dans ta Poche". While still at school and afterward, he directed two shorts: "Who cares about the sea!" (selected for the Concours international des jeunes réalisateurs in Valencia and for international competition at the Festival international du jeune cinéma de Montréal in 1989) and "Knife and Gun" (selected for international competition at the Festival international du jeune cinéma de Montréal in 1990). In 1991, François Delisle came to critics’ attention when he was named best new director of short and medium-length films at the Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québécois for his medium-length film "Beebe-Plain". The film was shot on a shoestring, but in complete freedom. By then, François Delisle had begun making a name for himself as an independent producer and director of his films through his company Gachet Films, which he founded in 1990.

In 1994, "Ruth", François Delisle’s first feature film, was named best feature of the year and best screenplay at the Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québécois. "Ruth" drew critical acclaim and was screened in Québec, Canada and as far away as Germany, Belgium and France.

In 2002, François Delisle founded the company Films 53/12 to direct and produce his second feature, "Happiness is a Sad Song" (2004). After winning the award for best feature at the Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie and named the best film of the year award from the Association québécoise des critiques de cinéma, "Happiness is a Sad Song" went on to international recognition when it toured the world to over twenty festivals and film events.

In 2007, François Delisle released his third feature film, "You". In international competition at the Montreal World Film Festival, "You" was a shock for both audiences and critics. Fragile yet uncompromising, "You" has done the rounds nationally and internationally (United States, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Italy).

"Twice A Woman", François Delisle's fourth film, will be launched this year. He will also produce the movies of two filmmakers: Maxime Giroux and Catherine Martin.

Films 53/12 is a venue for François Delisle to staunchly defend independent and personal filmmaking through his efforts on both the creative and the production sides.