Manon Barbeau facts for kids

Manon Barbeau is a talented filmmaker from Quebec, Canada. She is well-known for helping young people from First Nations communities. Manon co-founded an amazing organization called Wapikoni Mobile. This group teaches young Indigenous people how to make films.

In 2006, she also started Musique nomade. This project gives recording studios to First Nations musicians. Manon Barbeau has been the general director of Wapikoni Mobile since 2004. In 2021, she was chosen as the president of the Cinémathèque québécoise, which is a film museum in Quebec.

About Manon Barbeau's Life

Manon Barbeau was born in Montreal, Quebec, on May 8, 1949. Her father, Marcel Barbeau, was a painter and sculptor. Her mother, Suzanne Meloche, was a poet and painter. Manon has a partner named Philippe Lavalette, who is a cinematographer. They have a daughter, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, who is an author and film director. They also have a son, Manuel Barbeau-Lavalette, who is an educator.

While researching for her documentary Les Enfants de Refus global, Manon found old letters. These letters helped her learn more about her family's history.

Manon Barbeau's Career

Manon Barbeau studied cinema and communications at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). She has written for television shows. In 1991, she published a novel called Merlyne. For over 30 years, Manon has worked as a filmmaker, writer, and producer. She has worked with many organizations, including Télé-Québec and the National Film Board of Canada.

From 2010 to 2014, she was on the Board of Directors for Culture Montréal. In 2014, she became the president of this organization. Manon has often spoken about making documentaries and helping Indigenous youth. She has given talks at events like L’Art en Marge and at UNESCO for International Women’s Day.

Wapikoni Mobile

Since 2004, Manon Barbeau has led Wapikoni Mobile. This is a special mobile film studio that travels to remote First Nations communities. Wapikoni Mobile helps young Indigenous people share their stories. It gives them the tools and skills to express themselves through film.

In 2010, UQAM gave Manon Barbeau an award called Prix Reconnaissance UQAM. This award recognized her important work in documentary filmmaking. It also honored her dedication to helping Indigenous youth.

Manon Barbeau's Works

Manon Barbeau has directed and written many films and documentaries. Here are some of her notable works:

Documentaries

• 1975: Comptines (Director)
• 1998: Les Enfants de Refus global (Director)
• 2000: Barbeau, libre comme l’art (Director)
• 2004: L'Amour en Pen (Director)
• 2010: Wapikoni - Escale à Kitcisaki (Participant)

Films

• 1991: Un amour naissant (Writer)

Fiction

• 1991: Merlyne (Author)

Awards and Honors

Manon Barbeau has received many awards for her work and dedication:

• 2003: She won five Prix Gémeaux awards. These awards are from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.
• 2006: She was honored at the Femmes du Cinéma, de la Télévision et des Nouveaux Médias Gala. This was for all her work in film and television.
• 2009: She was chosen as a Canadian Ashoka Fellow for her work in civic engagement.
• 2012: She was named ‘personality of the week’ by La Presse/Radio-Canada.
• 2012: She received the Telus Community Excellence Award.
• 2014: She was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.
• 2014: She received the Prix Albert-Tessier, a high honor in Quebec cinema.
• 2016: She was named a Member of the Order of Canada.