Locomotion, in addition to being a ‘boutique’ distributor, is also a production company based in Montreal.
A member of Groupe Exponent, Groupe Locomotion is comprised of three principal branches:
- Locomotion Films
- Locomotion Télévision
- Locomotion Distribution
In terms of production, Locomotion has the following projects amongst its credits:
- The television series « François en série (Serial Frank)» (22 X 30 min) and « Les Lavigueur, la vraie histoire » (6 X 1h) who recently won 9 Gémeaux Awards
- The documentaries « Let it ride » (90 min), « Achieving the Unachievable » (52 min), « Into the Mix » (52 min) and «In Brands We Trust » (52 min)
- Three feature-length films
- Several short films that have won awards throughout the world
- The series of capsules « Made in Mtl » and the web site madeinmtl.com
During the past six years, Locomotion has built a network of contacts in the United States as well as in Europe. The agreement with Gaumont for the development of the feature-length film « Marita Lorenz » and the coproduction with Seneca Production in France for « V.K » are concrete examples.
Locomotion being a «boutique» distributor, our philosophy is not based on quantity but on the quality and originality of the audio-visual product. We have sales in over twenty countries and have presented our films in over a hundred international festivals such as Sundance, Toronto, Montréal, Venice and Berlin, while winning awards at the L.A. Short Film Festival, Brooklyn Film Festival, Festival de Clermont-Ferrand, South by Southwest, as well as the 2004 Genie for the Best Short Film for Noël Blank. Every year we attend the major festivals and markets (Toronto, Cannes, Clermont-Ferrand, Sunny Side of the Docs, MipCom, etc).
In addition, the adaptation rights for « François en série (Serial Frank) », produced by Locomotion Television, have been sold in Greece, and options have been taken in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia and Malaysia, and talks are underway with NBC/U Networks for the United States.
The Team
- Denis Martel
Executive Producer
In 1972, Denis Martel, along with the director Jacques Fournier, founded La Fabrique d’Images. Today, La Fabrique is the oldest and one of the most prestigious commercial production houses in Canada. In addition to having filmed hundreds of campaigns at La Fabrique, Denis played a major role in the development of Exponent - Groupe Image Buzz (1988), SWAT Films (1994), Locomotion Films (2000) and 1976 Productions (2006). Today, Denis is Executive Producer for all Locomotion projects and works actively in the development of projects such as « V.K » and « Marita Lorenz ».
-Marc S.Grenier
Executive Producer
Marc S. Grenier joined la Fabrique d’Images in 1989 where, until 1999, he directed numerous international award-winning commercial films. In 1992, he became an associate of la Fabrique and in 1996 of Groupe Exponent. In 1999 he was key to the creation of Groupe Locomotion where he now sits as General Manager. Since 1999, he has directed six feature-length films for the international market, produced the television series « Les Lavigueur, la vraie histoire », two feature-length films and many short films. President of Locomotion Distribution, he is also Executive Producer for all Locomotion projects as well as developing projects such as Frederick Walter Humperdink, Le Cabinet, Tout le contraire and Concert illégal.
- Brigitte Janson
Producer, International Development
Brigitte worked in public and media relations in the world of haute couture, theatre and television in Paris before collaborating in the production of television shows for Canal + and TFI. Her knowledge of the European market has helped Locomotion in developing a network for international co-productions. She is actively working on the feature-length films « V.K » and « Marita Lorenz ».
- Julia Lauzon
Director, Distribution
Julia has a Master’s degree in Communication Studies at Université du Québec à Montréal, and also studied the violin at the Rome Conservatory. She joined the Locomotion team in 2004 as a Coordinator and now oversees sales and distribution.
- Catherine Vidal
Producer, Locomotion Television
After completing a DEC in Media Art and Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies, Catherine directed two documentaries, one of which was produced by the National Film Board of Canada. She has travelled, studied, and worked in more than a dozen countries before returning to Montreal and becoming a production coordinator for La Fabrique d’Images. She joined the Locomotion team in 2006, first as a coordinator, and now as a Producer for our television projects.
- Martin Pelletier
Webmaster, Groupe Exponent
Martin worked a few years as an analyst at the Canadian National. He then went back to school at college maisonneuve in order to obtain a diploma in web development and e-business. Following an internship at Locomotion, Martin is now webmaster of the sites of Groupe Exponent, to which Locomotion and La Fabrique d'images belong. He is also in charge of the programming of Locomotion's e-business.
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