Montreal, My Beautiful is the winner for the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film at this year’s Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF). The drama by Xiaodan He was awarded the $25,000 prize from a jury of industry peers at a reception at the festival today. Montreal, My Beautiful stars Joan Chen (The Wedding Banquet) as a 53-year-old Chinese immigrant who surprises her Montreal family when she discovers love with a younger woman (Charlotte Aubin). The film is Xiaodan He’s second feature, having previously made the documentary My Father’s Journey (2021).
“From the first scene, where a mother must rely on her daughter to translate the most vulnerable details of her own body, to its devastatingly elegant finale where she reclaims her voice, this film unfolds with a quiet confidence and emotional clarity that took our breath away,” remarked the jury. “Joan Chen gives a performance of extraordinary restraint and depth, embodying a woman whose complexity feels utterly lived in. With tenderness, humour, and fearless honesty, the film offers a love story that feels both timeless and new — one that resists familiar tropes in its portrayals of race, gender, and the immigrant experience. It is with great admiration and heartfelt appreciation that we present this award to Montreal, My Beautiful.”
“We are thrilled for Xiaodan He. Her film Montreal, My Beautiful is a heartfelt exploration of identity, culture, and human connection,” added Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer of WIFF. “This award celebrates not only Xiaodan’s exceptional talent but also the vitality of Canadian cinema that continues to inspire audiences everywhere.”
Xiaodan He was on hand to accept the prize. She accepted the award and reflected upon her experiences as an immigrant in Canada and remarked upon her desire to create space for queer stories, especially among immigrant communities. The filmmaker dedicated the win to Chen, who won Best Actress at the Reel World Film Festival last week. Montreal, My Beautiful has a Toronto encore at Reel Asian in November.
Documentaries nominated for the WIFF prize included Shamed and The Pitch. The festival screens through November 2 with additional documentaries playing including Heightened Scrutiny, There Are No Words, and The Art of Adventure.
WIFF also announced an inaugural prize for local shorts, which went to Click Bang Boom by Michael J. Krym, who surprised the audience by noting that she shot the film in a mere eight hours. The prize carries a purse of $3,000.
