A Concordian might be headed to the Oscars.
Gabrielle, written and directed by Concordia graduate Louise Archambault (BFA 93, MFA 00) was selected as Canada's submission for the 86th Academy Awards in the Foreign Language Film category.
Telefilm Canada made its selection official in a September 24 announcement.
This year, over 50 countries and counting have submitted to the Academy Awards' Foreign Language Film category. Only five films will make the final nominations list, which is expected to be announced on January 16, 2014.
This marks the second year running that the work of a Concordia graduate is picked to represent Canada at the prestigious cinematic awards. Rebelle, directed by Concordia film production graduate Kim Nguyen, BFA 97, was nominated for an Oscar last year.
Archambault, who lives in Montreal, studied at the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia's downtown Sir George Williams Campus.
"The Canadian film industry, specifically the Quebec industry, is chock full of Concordia graduates," says Daniel Cross, chair of the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema.
"When you see a success like Louise Archambault's Gabrielle or Kim Nguyen's Rebelle, it really inspires everyone here -- students, staff and professors -- to maintain that tradition of excellence."
Canada's last three entries in the Foreign Language Film category all made the shortlist of Oscar nominees: Rebelle in 2012, Monsieur Lazhar in 2011 and Incendies in 2010.
Gabrielle, Monsieur Lazhar and Incendies share another common link -- all three were produced by micro_scope, an independent Montreal-based production company.
Rebelle saw the elusive golden hardware awarded to Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke's Amour in 2012.
A musical story of love and family, Gabrielle is about a developmentally challenged young woman who seeks to prove her independence and explore her sexuality.
The film shines due to the "heartfelt performance" by Quebec actress Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, according to the Toronto International Film Festival. Marion-Rivard, who has Williams syndrome, stars alongside Alexandre Landry and Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin.
After premiering at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland this summer, Gabrielle screened to North American audiences at TIFF in September.
Archambault's debut film, Familia, played at TIFF in 2005, winning the festival's award for Best Canadian First Feature and the Claude Jutra Genie Award for Best Direction of a First Feature Film.
The 86th Academy Awards, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on February 27.
Gabrielle is now playing in select theatres across Quebec.
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