Honour the memory of Jean-Marc Vallée — support the next generation of filmmakers
Montreal native Jean-Marc Vallée — award-winning, internationally recognized Canadian filmmaker, film editor and screenwriter — tragically died on December 25, 2021.
A friend of our university, Jean-Marc’s last public engagement was at Concordia’s fifth annual Wild Talks lecture on November 16, 2021. He donated his speaking fees to support Concordia’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema where his son, Émile Vallée, graduated in 2020.
From Montreal to Hollywood
Jean-Marc made his directional film debut with Liste Noire (Black List) in 1995. He later directed, produced and screen wrote one of Quebec’s most successful films: C.R.A.Z.Y.
His critically acclaimed Dallas Buyers Club netted Academy Awards for actors Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. His other English-language films included Demolition, Wild and The Young Victoria.
In television, he won a 2017 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for “Big Little Lies” for HBO and directed the series “Sharp Objects” for the same network.
Jean-Marc Vallée with his long-time collaborator and friend Yves Bélanger, BFA 84
The Jean-Marc Vallée Memorial Fund
Jean-Marc was among the first Quebec directors to break through in Hollywood — and his iconic status helped pave the way for others.
“In Montreal, after his success abroad, Jean-Marc became a beacon. The one who showed us the way,” said fellow director Denis Villeneuve in the Hollywood Reporter.
Despite his success in Hollywood, Jean-Marc was optimistic about film in Canada and he believed Concordia would play a starring role.
While the Jean-Marc Vallée Memorial Fund honors his legacy, to build on his generosity requires your help. Your support will attract top-notch students from around the world.
You can help fund new scholarships, bursaries and equipment for our growing student body.
About the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema
As one of the first universities to offer both courses and degrees in cinema, Concordia is home to Canada’s most comprehensive film school. We offer world-renowned programs in film production, film animation and film studies.
Our school takes pride in teaching passionate and artistic students, who are making their mark on Quebec’s creative economy and reputation and contributing to the province’s reputation in the industry.
Every year, nearly 700 prospective students from around the world apply to the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. Only 70 are accepted. Half of our graduates are francophones, which provides our alumni opportunities to work locally and around the world.
At the request of the Government of Quebec, Concordia is expanding its Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema to triple our capacity by 2025. Our goal is to help address job market shortages, position our province as a frontrunner in the world of film and television as well as bolster Quebec’s economy.
Increased capacity, however, increases our need for equipment, student scholarships, bursaries, as well as top professors and staff.
Help Concordia keep Quebec at the centre of exceptional movie-making by supporting our school.
Tim Southam, Jean-Marc Vallée and Yves Bélanger, BFA 84 at Concordia’s fifth annual Wild Talks lecture, presented by the Faculty of Fine Arts on November 16, 2021.