Denis Villeneuve inspires Concordia students during visit to Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema

Acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, DFA 24, visited Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema on November 1, speaking to an audience of nearly 400 students. Known for Dune, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival, Villeneuve spent two hours answering questions and offering aspiring filmmakers a rare glimpse into his creative process, his dedication to Montreal and his journey as a director.

Villeneuve, who received an honorary doctorate from Concordia’s Faculty of Fine Arts this past June, returned at the invitation of the Cinema School chair Martin Lefebvre. Villeneuve expressed a deep commitment to supporting Montreal’s artistic community and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers.

In his talk, Villeneuve encouraged students to think critically about their own creative paths, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, resilience and collaboration in the film industry. 

For a full account of Villeneuve's visit, read the Montreal Gazette article by Brendan Kelly.