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Denis Villeneuve Biography

Birth Name:Denis Villeneuve

Birth Place:Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada

Profession Director, Writer, Producer, Actor

Fast Facts

  • Received a Canadian Screen Award for his film "Enemy" in 2014
  • Was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2017
  • Studied film at the Universite du Quebec a Montreal
  • Gained notoriety after winning the 1991 Radio-Canada film competition Course Europe-Asie
  • Was inspired to become a filmmaker after seeing the film "Blade Runner" at the age of 15
  • Quote: "[On filmmaking ] "I always loved storytelling, and as a child that was my favourite part of my existence — that bubble when I was reading․""
  • Frequently works on science fiction films

Awards

  • 1994Award of the New York Film Academy-: winner
  • 1997SACD Prize-Directors' Fortnight: nominated
  • 1997Golden Bayard-Best Film (Meilleur Film Francophone): nominated
  • 1998Un Certain Regard Award-: nominated
  • 1998Golden Bayard-Best Film (Meilleur Film Francophone): winner
  • 1999Jutra-Best Direction (Meilleure Réalisation): nominated
  • 1999Jutra-Best Screenplay (Meilleur Scénario): nominated
  • 2000Best Canadian Film-: winner
  • 2000Grand Prix des Amériques-: nominated
  • 2000Best Canadian Feature Film - Special Jury Citation-: winner
  • 2001Prix SACD-: winner
  • 2001FIPRESCI Prize-Panorama: winner
  • 2001Genie-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 2001Genie-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 2001Jutra-Best Screenplay (Meilleur Scénario): winner
  • 2001Jutra-Best Direction (Meilleure Réalisation): winner
  • 2001Grand Prize-: winner
  • 2001Prix Ciné Femme-: winner
  • 2001Grand Prix-: nominated
  • 2001Golden Spike-Best Film: nominated
  • 2001VFCC Award-Best Director of a Canadian Film: winner
  • 2008Canadian Award-Short Film: winner
  • 2008Best Canadian Short-Best Short Film: winner
  • 2008Discovery Award-: nominated
  • 2008Canal+ Award-: winner
  • 2008Grand Prix-Best Short Film: winner
  • 2008Brief Encounters Grand Prix-International Competition: nominated
  • 2008Special Competition Award-: winner
  • 2008Director's Choice Award-: winner
  • 2008Best Short Film-: winner
  • 2008Best Short Award-Short Film: winner
  • 2008Short Cuts Award - Honorable Mention-Best Canadian Film: winner
  • 2008Best Short-Best Short Film: winner
  • 2009Best Short Film-Short Film: winner
  • 2009Jury Award-Best Drama: winner
  • 2009SACD Prize-Directors' Fortnight: nominated
  • 2009C.I.C.A.E. Award-: nominated
  • 2009SIGNIS Award-Best Short Film: winner
  • 2009Genie-Best Live Action Short Drama: winner
  • 2009Jutra-Best Short Film (Meilleur Court/Moyen Métrage): winner
  • 2009Golden Bayard-Best Cinematography (Meilleure Photographie): winner
  • 2009Best Narrative Short-: winner
  • 2009Festival Award-Best Drama Short: winner
  • 2009Audience Award-Audience Choice Program B: nominated
  • 2009Short Film Award - Honorable Mention-: winner
  • 2009Short Film Competition Special Jury Award-Best Short Film: winner
  • 2009Short Film Grand Jury Prize-: nominated
  • 2009Rogers Award-Best Canadian Film: winner
  • 2010Canadian Award-Best Canadian Feature: winner
  • 2010Audience Award-: winner
  • 2010Genie-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 2010Jutra-Best Direction (Meilleure Réalisation): winner
  • 2010Rogers Award-Best Canadian Film: winner
  • 2010Best Canadian Feature Film-: winner
  • 2010Miguel Delibes Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 2010Youth Jury Award-Best Film: winner
  • 2010Golden Spike-Best Film: nominated
  • 2010Audience Award-Best Film: winner
  • 2010VFCC Award-Best Director in a Canadian Film: nominated
  • 2010Best Canadian Feature Film-: winner
  • 2010Fedeora Award - Special Mention-Venice Days: winner
  • 2010Fedeora Award-Best Film (Venice Days): nominated
  • 2010Grand Prix-: winner
  • 2011International Feature Award-Best Feature: winner
  • 2011David-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
  • 2011Audience Award-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): winner
  • 2011Genie-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
  • 2011Genie-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 2011Audience Award-: winner
  • 2011Jutra-Best Director: winner
  • 2011Jutra-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 2011Jutra-Most Successful Film Outside Quebec: nominated
  • 2011Directors to Watch-: winner
  • 2011Audience Award-Best Narrative Feature: winner
  • 2011VFCC Award-Best Director in a Canadian Film: winner
  • 2012BAFTA Film Award-Best Film Not in the English Language: nominated
  • 2012César-Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger): nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby Film Award-Foreign Language Film: nominated
  • 2012Jutra-Most Successful Film Outside Quebec: winner
  • 2013Black Pearl Award-Best Narrative Feature: nominated
  • 2013Golden Seashell-Best Film: nominated
  • 2013Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film in Silver-Official Fantàstic European Selection: winner
  • 2013People's Choice Award-: nominated
  • 2014Canadian Screen Award-Achievement in Direction: winner
  • 2014DGC Team Award-Feature Film: winner
  • 2014Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema-: nominated
  • 2014Rogers Award-Best Canadian Film: winner
  • 2015Palme d'Or-: nominated
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Top Ten of the Year - International Competition: winner
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Best Director - International Competition: nominated
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Best Film - International Competition: nominated
  • 2015DFWFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2015Jutra-Best Director: nominated
  • 2015KCFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2015OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2015TFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2015VFCC Award-Best Director of a Canadian Film: winner
  • 2016AFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016ACCA-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016COFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016Critics Choice Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016DFWFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016DFCC-Best Director: winner
  • 2016Golden Schmoes-Best Director of the Year: nominated
  • 2016IGN People's Choice Award-Best Movie Director: winner
  • 2016IGN Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016ICP Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016NTFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016PCC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016SFFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016SLFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016VFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2016Arca CinemaGiovani Award-Best Film in Competition: winner
  • 2016Future Film Festival Digital Award-: winner
  • 2016Golden Lion-Best Film: nominated
  • 2016WAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017AACTA International Award-Best Direction: nominated
  • 2017Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
  • 2017Saturn Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017EDA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017Amanda-Best Foreign Feature Film (Årets utenlandske spillefilm): nominated
  • 2017ACCA-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017David Lean Award for Direction-: nominated
  • 2017Bodil-Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film): nominated
  • 2017COFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017Cinema Brazil Grand Prize-Best Foreign-Language Film (Melhor Filme Estrangeiro): winner
  • 2017Robert-Best American Film (Årets amerikanske film): nominated
  • 2017DFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film: nominated
  • 2017Dragon Award-Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie: nominated
  • 2017DFCC-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017Empire Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017GAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017Gold Derby Film Award-Director: nominated
  • 2017Golden Schmoes-Best Director of the Year: nominated
  • 2017HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: winner
  • 2017IGN Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2017NMFC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017NTFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017OFTA Film Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017Aurora Award-Best Visual Presentation: winner
  • 2017Rondo Statuette-Best Film: nominated
  • 2017Critics Award-Best Foreign Director (Melhor Diretor Estrangeiro): winner
  • 2017Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film (Millor pel·lícula estrangera): nominated
  • 2017Outstanding Director of the Year Award-: winner
  • 2017Bradbury Award-Outstanding Dramatic Presentation: winner
  • 2017SFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017SFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2017SLFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2018Saturn Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2018AFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2018David Lean Award for Direction-: nominated
  • 2018Bodil-Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film): nominated
  • 2018Cinema Brazil Grand Prize-Best Foreign-Language Film (Melhor Filme Estrangeiro): nominated
  • 2018Robert-Best American Film (Årets amerikanske film): nominated
  • 2018Dragon Award-Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie: nominated
  • 2018HFCS Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2018Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: nominated
  • 2018ICS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2018Aurora Award-Best Visual Presentation: winner
  • 2018Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film (Millor pel·lícula estrangera): nominated
  • 2021BFCC Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2021Golden Frog-Main Competition: nominated
  • 2021Bronze Frog-Main Competition: winner
  • 2021DFWFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021DFCC-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021GWNYFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021IFJA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021IFJA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2021ICP Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021Sierra Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2021Sierra Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021NTFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2021OAFFC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021People's Choice Award-The Drama Movie of 2021: nominated
  • 2021PCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021Rondo Statuette-Best Film: winner
  • 2021SLFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2021SLFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021SFC Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2021VHS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2021VHS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2021Fanheart3 Award-Graffetta d'Oro for Best Film: nominated
  • 2021WAFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2021WAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022AACTA International Award-Best Direction: winner
  • 2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
  • 2022Oscar-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022EDA Award-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022Amanda-Best Foreign Feature Film (Årets utenlandske spillefilm): nominated
  • 2022AFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022AFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
  • 2022BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay (Adapted): nominated
  • 2022BOFA-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Cinema Brazil Grand Prize-Best Foreign-Language Film (Melhor Filme Estrangeiro): nominated
  • 2022COFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022COFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022CACF Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2022Critics Choice Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Critics Choice Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022Robert-Best English Language Film (Årets engelsksprogede film): nominated
  • 2022David-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
  • 2022DFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022DFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film: nominated
  • 2022DFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022DFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Dorian Award-Director of the Year: nominated
  • 2022Dragon Award-Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie: winner
  • 2022GAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Gold Derby Film Award-Director: nominated
  • 2022Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022Gold Derby Film Award-Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2022Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2022Golden Schmoes-Best Director of the Year: winner
  • 2022HFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022HCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2022HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: winner
  • 2022IFC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Jupiter Award-Best International Film: winner
  • 2022LEJA Award-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2022ALFS Award-Director of the Year: nominated
  • 2022MNFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022MNFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022MCFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022NCFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022NCFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022OFTA Film Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022OFTA Film Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022OFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
  • 2022Aurora Award-Best Visual Presentation: winner
  • 2022Fantastic Award (Prémios Fantastic)-Best International Film (Melhor Filme Internacional): nominated
  • 2022SDFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022SFBAFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022SFBAFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2022Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
  • 2022SFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022TFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2022USC Scripter Award-Film: nominated
  • 2022VFCC Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2022WGA Award (Screen)-Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2024Astra Midseason Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2024Astra Midseason Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024Golden Frog-Main Competition: nominated
  • 2024DFWFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2024FFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024Golden Rooster-Best Foreign Language Film: nominated
  • 2024IFJA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024Sierra Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2024Sierra Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024NTFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2024OAFFC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024SDFCS Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2024SDFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024SFBAFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024SFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2024SFCS Award-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2024SLFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024SLFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024SLFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2024TFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024FCA Award-Director of the Year: winner
  • 2024VHS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024VHS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2024WAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2024WAFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2024Zhihu Award-Director of the Year: winner
  • 2025AACTA International Award-Best Direction in Film: nominated
  • 2025Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
  • 2025Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
  • 2025Saturn Award-Best Film Direction: winner
  • 2025Saturn Award-Best Film Screenwriting: nominated
  • 2025AFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025AFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025BAFTA Film Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025BOFA-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025Windie-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025Windie-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025Windie-Best Studio Film: winner
  • 2025COFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025COFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025CACF Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2025Critics Choice Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025Critics Choice Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025DFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
  • 2025DFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025DFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025DFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025GAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2025GAFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Director: nominated
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025Golden Schmoes-Best Screenplay of the Year: nominated
  • 2025Golden Schmoes-Best Director of the Year: winner
  • 2025HFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form: winner
  • 2025ICFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2025ICFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025KCFCC Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025KCFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025LEJA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025LEJA Award-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2025ALFS Award-Director of the Year: nominated
  • 2025MNFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025MNFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025MCFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2025NCFCA Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2025NCFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025OFTA Film Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025OFTA Film Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025OFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 2025Visionary Award-: winner
  • 2025PCA Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Film (Millor pel·lícula estrangera): winner
  • 2025Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
  • 2025Bradbury Award-Outstanding Dramatic Presentation: winner
  • 2025UFCA Award-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
  • 2025VFCC Award-Best Director: winner
  • 2025WGA Award (Screen)-Adapted Screenplay: nominated