Manon Barbeau facts for kids

Manon Barbeau is a famous Québécois filmmaker born in 1949. She is well-known for co-founding Wapikoni Mobile. This organization helps young people from First Nations communities learn how to make films. In 2006, she also started Musique nomade. This group offers recording studios to First Nations musicians. Manon Barbeau has been the main director of Wapikoni Mobile since 2004. In 2021, she was chosen to be the president of the Cinémathèque québécoise.

About Manon Barbeau

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 Barbeau has a partner named Philippe Lavalette, who is a cinematographer. They have a daughter, Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, who is an author and film director. Their son, Manuel Barbeau-Lavalette, works as an educator.

Her Filmmaking 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 more than 30 years, Barbeau has worked as a filmmaker, writer, and producer. She has worked for many different organizations. These include Télé-Québec, the National Film Board of Canada, and Wapikoni Mobile.

From 2010 to 2014, she was on the Board of Directors for Culture Montréal. In 2014, she became the president of this organization. Manon Barbeau often speaks about making documentary films. She also talks about helping Aboriginal youth. She has given talks at places like UNESCO for International Women’s Day.

Wapikoni Mobile

Since 2004, Manon Barbeau has been the general director of Wapikoni Mobile. This is a special mobile film studio. It travels to faraway First Nations communities. The organization helps young Aboriginal people share their stories. It gives them the tools and skills to make their own films.

In 2010, the communication and media faculty at UQAM gave Manon Barbeau an award. This award was called Prix Reconnaissance UQAM. It recognized her great work in documentary filmmaking. It also honored her strong dedication to Aboriginal youth.

Her Creative Works

Manon Barbeau has directed and written many films. She is known for her documentaries. These films often explore important topics and tell real-life stories.

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. These awards celebrate her contributions to film and her community work.

• 2003: Won five Prix Gémeaux awards. These awards are like Canadian Emmys for TV.
• 2006: Honored at the Femmes du Cinéma, de la Télévision et des Nouveaux Médias Gala.
• 2009: Chosen as a Canadian Ashoka Fellow for her work in helping society.
• 2010: Received the Prix Reconnaissance UQAM award.
• 2012: Named ‘personality of the week’ by La Presse/Radio-Canada.
• 2012: Won the Prix Femmes d'Affaires award.
• 2014: Elected president of Culture Montreal’s Board of Directors.
• 2014: Became an Officer of the National Order of Quebec.
• 2014: Received the Prix Albert-Tessier, a major award in Quebec for cinema.
• 2016: Named a Member of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors.