The Birks Selection Committee honoured actresses Sarah Gadon and Emily Hampshire with the inaugural Birks Canadian Diamond award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. The awards were presented during Telefilm Canada’s first-ever Tribute To Canadian Talent press event and reception last week.
Emily Hampshire (left) and Sarah Gadon (right) with Birks president and CEO Jean-Christophe Bedos (centre).
“It is a great honour to present the first Birks Canadian Diamond to two young and successful Canadian actresses, Sarah Gadon and Emily Hampshire, who have both made their mark on the film industry with exceptional acting performances,” says Jean-Christophe Bedos, president and CEO of Birks.
(L-R) David Cronenberg, Emily Hampshire, Telefilm Canada's Carolle Brabant, Sarah Gadon, and Jean-Christophe Bedos.
Canadian director David Cronenberg presented the award to both actresses at the event, which was held at the picturesque Carlton Beach. Gadon and Hampshire star in films featured as part of Cannes Film Festival’s "In competition" and "Un certain regard" categories.
Cronenberg cast Gadon to play opposite Robert Pattinson in his thriller Cosmopolis (In competition). Gadon also plays the female lead in David's son Brandon Cronenberg’s directorial debut, Antiviral (Un certain regard).
The young actress has already made her mark on the Canadian and international film industry with a career she began at the age of 10. Last year, she impressed audiences with her performance in Cronenberg’s film A Dangerous Method.
Hampshire, who also stars in Cosmopolis, makes an appearance in Xavier Dolan’s film Laurence Anyways (Un certain regard). Dolan asked the actress to perform a cameo in his latest feature as a prelude to the lead role he is currently writing for her in what will be his first English-language film, Letters to a Young Actor.
“Actors are the glue that holds together all the elements of a cinematic narrative for the audience. Sarah and Emily are two rising stars, who through their wonderful performances, elevate this very creative process,” says Carolle Brabant, Telefilm Canada’s executive director.
“The two award recipients are also instrumental in the promotion of their films and in ensuring that these productions reach moviegoers. We are proud to recognize their talent with this partnership with Birks.”
