For 22 years, without interruption and always with passion and generosity, Mel Hoppenheim has brought  his personal support to CINEMANIA. Thanks to his steadfast commitment, he who, in the film industry, is nicknamed “the builder”, has always contributed to and still participates in the development of the festival.

This is why, since 1998, CINEMANIA has awarded its largest purse to the film that garners the most votes from film viewers. Each year, the Mel Hoppenheim Audience Award celebrates the most popular feature film in the CINEMANIA selection. Awarded to such well-established filmmakers as Radu Mihaileanu or François Ozon, this distinction has also allowed new talents such as the director Maïwenn to become much better known in Canada. 

Mr. Mel Hoppenheim

Founder of Panavision Canada and Mel’s Cinema City, a large cinema and television equipment and services business, Mel Hoppenheim is an iconic figure in the Quebec cinematography industry. Principal benefactor of Concordia University’s Mel Hoppenheim Film School, which welcomes 500 students a year, he is the co-founder of l’Institut national de l’image et du son (INIS).  

In 2012, he received the Grand Prix of America special award at the World Film Festival (WFF) to celebrate his remarkable career. An avowed cinephile, Mel is particularly fascinated by French film icons such as Catherine Deneuve and deeply admires Québécois filmmakers such as Jean-Pierre Lefebvre and Jean-Claude Labrecque. 

Award-winning films since 1998 

2019 > SPREAD YOUR WINGS by Nicolas Vanier 

2018 > SINK OR SWIM by Gilles Lellouche

2017 > SEE YOU UP THERE by Albert Dupontel

2016 > A KID by Philipe Lioret

2015 > THE SENSE OF WONDER by Éric Besnard

2014 > DIPLOMACY by Volker Schlöndorff

2013 > VIOLETTE by Martin Provost

2012 > OMBLINE by Stéphane Cazes

2011 > POLISSE by Maïwenn

2010 > POTICHE by François Ozon

2009 > THE CONCERT by Radu Mihaileanu

2008 > VERSAILLES by Pierre Schoeller

2007 > THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY by Julian Schnabel

2006 > GORGEOUS! by Lisa Azuelos

2005 > LIVE AND BECOME by Radu Mihaileanu

2004 > TWENTY-FIVE DEGREES IN WINTER by Stéphane Vuillet

2003 > IF I WERE A RICH MAN by Michel Munz and Gérard Bitton

2002 > YES, BUT... by Yves Lavandier

2001 > ONCE WE GROW UP by Renaud Cohen

2000 > SENTIMENTAL DESTINIES by Olivier Assayas

1999 > THE GIRL ON THE BRIDGE by Patrice Leconte

1998 > SERIAL LOVER by James Huth