Great Concordian: Mariloup Wolfe, filmmaker and actor

For Mariloup Wolfe, BFA 03, the arts have been a lifelong journey shaped by family, passion and persistence.

Growing up with an artist mother who immersed her in galleries and art spaces and a father whose love for cinema filled their home, Wolfe was surrounded by creativity from a young age.

“My father was a psychiatrist,” she explains, “but he loved film and dreamed of being a cineaste himself. We had a big screen at home and would watch everything from Italian classics to Japanese films on Saturday mornings. That passion for the movies was his gift to me.”

While Wolfe’s early exposure to film came through family movie nights, it was her hands-on experiences as a teenager that ignited her career. Her brother, working at a casting agency, introduced her to the world of film production, and by the age of 17, she was booking roles as an extra on set.

“Once I experienced a set for the first time, I was hooked,” Wolfe remarks.

She pursued acting in high school and later in CEGEP, where she began to realize that her true interest lay in directing.

“I wanted to be involved in creativity from start to finish, so I switched paths from science to filmmaking,” she recalls.

That decision led Wolfe to the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, where she would eventually solidify her skills as a director.

After her breakout acting role in the Télé-Québec series Ramdam, which enjoyed a successful run from 2001 to 2008, Wolfe became widely recognized, but her focus remained on directing.

“I was studying at the Faculty of Fine Arts when I landed Ramdam,” Wolfe explains. “The show’s production schedule was intense, but my classes at the School of Cinema fuelled my passion for filmmaking.”

Over time, her dedication paid off, and Wolfe transitioned successfully behind the camera. Her films, including Jouliks (2019), Arlette (2022) and Coeur de Slush (2023), have established her as a leading figure in Quebec cinema, earning her critical acclaim and multiple Prix Gémeaux nominations.

The Great Concordian’s latest project, season three of the gripping thriller series Bête Noire, will be released in April on SériesPlus.

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

Mariloup Wolfe: My time at Concordia was unforgettable — from the challenge of being accepted into the film program to the experience of creating a portfolio as part of the application. I loved that Concordia didn’t just look at grades or scripts; they wanted to see our personalities and our creativity. I poured myself into crafting an artistic portfolio, right down to making a cover for my VHS tape with textured paper, which really felt like a work of art.

Studying in English was a challenge for me at first. My English wasn’t very strong, but Concordia’s bilingual community was so welcoming, and I was able to take some classes in French. I also have incredible memories of working with the film equipment — shooting on 16-millimetre film, editing on old Steenbeck machines. Those experiences helped me learn cinema as a craft. Concordia allowed us to experiment without pressure, which I appreciated. We weren’t asked to produce polished results, but to find our voices as filmmakers and expand our limits creatively.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

MW: After Concordia, I used the projects I’d worked on as a demo portfolio, which helped me secure small grants and build a foundation. I made my first short film after graduation. Winning a competition with it gave me visibility and led to festival screenings. That short film became my business card and established my reputation.

Persistence has also been key. Filmmaking requires you to take criticism, learn from your mistakes and keep going. My early short films weren’t perfect, but each one taught me something. Nowadays, filmmakers have much more accessible tools than we did back then. With smartphones and editing software on every device, there are fewer barriers. But patience, adaptability and resourcefulness are as essential as ever.

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

MW: My advice is simple: try, explore, keep going. Don’t be afraid to knock on doors and make yourself known. Gain experience with the technical side of the craft and learn to tell stories with every shot. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

I think it’s so important to have hands-on experience — it teaches you how to shape your vision, understand the language of storytelling and become a well-rounded filmmaker. Just go for it!

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

MW: I was surprised and incredibly flattered. It’s an honour to be among so many remarkable Concordia alumni, especially people in my field whom I admire. To be recognized in this way feels like a pat on the back, reminding me to keep pushing forward and stay passionate.