The Paper Man wins Audience Award at Whistler Film Fest, which continues until December 31

The documentary about the French Canadian TV legend, who died of COVID-19, won audience’s hearts

A whimsical paper sculpture from The Paper Man. — A whimsical paper sculpture from *The Paper Man.*

THE WHISTLER Film Festival has announced The Paper Man (La Fortune en Papier) as the winner of its Audience Award.

Directed and produced by journalist Tanya Lapointe, the documentary tells the story of Claude Lafortune, Quebec’s version of a Mr. Rogers who crafted beautiful paper sculptures. He died earlier this year from COVID-19. The film, which received its world premiere at the fest, also garnered honourable mention in the event’s World Documentary competition.

You can still stream all the festival films, including The Paper Man and the Audience Award runner-up, Marlene, the story about Marlene Truscott, who spent her life seeking to legally exonerate her husband Steven Truscott for a rape and murder he did not commit. Find details and watch films here. Note that filmmakers receive half of the ticket price.

Among earlier-announced prize winners, Ruth Lawrence’s Newfoundland-set Little Orphans won the fest’s Borsos Award for Best Canadian Feature, including a $15,000 cash prize presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia and a $20,000 post-production prize presented by Company 3. The World Documentary Award was presented to Crock of Gold, the stylized bio of The Pogues frontman Shane McGowan directed by Julien Temple; we raved about it here.

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