Patrick Boivin’s “Le Queloune” Wins Open Film Top Prize: $500,000 to Make New Film

With “Le Queloune” rising filmmaker Patrick Boivin wins Open Film’s ‘Get It Made’ Short Film Competition.” With that comes a $500,000 contract to produce a feature-length film.

Open Film states that “Boivin’s winning entry was selected from more than 100 other online submissions. “In this production, Boivin returns to his roots in horror movies to re-explore the zombie genre and give the zombie what other filmmakers never have: feelings. Shot on location in Normandy in only three days, the film follows a clown through his transition into a zombie in a manner that is as gruesome as it is funny.”

“Since its inception, Openfilm has been a valuable ally for filmmakers to have in our corner, and the ‘Get It Made’ competition is a prime example of how Openfilm supports our industry and our dreams,” said Boivin, 37. “I am honored to have won, and I am excited knowing this financing and support will help me to pursue the most ambitious project of my career to date.”

“Boivin’s work caught Openfilm’s eye from the start — a wild ride of artistic, cultural and technical mash-ups that keeps viewers engaged and generates a wide array of emotional reactions,” James Caan said. Caan, along with Robert Duval, is part of Open Film’s advisory board.

“We hope our investment in Boivin helps to further unleash his creativity and inspire other talented minds to pursue their passion,” Caan said.

Paul Laberge Does the Graphic Design for Microsoft’s New Online Game: Battle for Beauty

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This Friday and Saturday night, Toronto gets to experience a new and exciting way to play. This game is the first of a generation to come, you don’t want to miss it!

It’s Microsoft’s bid to optimize online gaming with Explorer 9, HTML 5.0.

Paul designed and animated the game’s critters in his signature style.

“This Friday and Saturday, team up with “Internet Explorer 9” to fight “Mr. Clutter”, the “Peeping-Tom” and the “Eternal Loadworm.”

If you are not living in Toronto, you can still join the party using your browser at BattleForBeauty.ca.

Test run of the balls that will be thrown at the critters on screen in TO at the corner of Richmond & John…

Kaveh Nabatian at TIFF’s RBC Talent Lab

RBC and Talent Lab at the Toronto International Film Festival® present the Emerging Filmmakers Competition in support of up-and-coming filmmakers.

The idea was simple: give filmmakers a video camera, $500 and ask them to create something original on the subject of family.

Woolf + Lapin’s own Kaveh Nabatian was part of the twenty filmmakers who completed Talent Lab at the 2010 Festival and submitted a project for the competition.

A jury appointed by the Toronto International Film Festival selected their top five among the twenty, and Kaveh’s submission Saturday Night is now among the shortlist.

Woolf + Lapin congratulates all five finalists, but sends out special props to Kaveh!

See the five films and vote here.

The winning filmmaker will win the Fan Favorite Award, which will be presented at the 2011 Festival .