A (Fabulous) Year In Review

I feel so blessed that 2010 was such an amazing year for me. I feel like I am coming into my own (geez I'm a late bloomer) and things are finally on track. 2010 was filled with glamorous adventures, inspiring relationships and dreams come true. I thank God SO much for this past year and am WAY excited for 2011.

Many amazing things happened in 2010 and I could easily make this post (way) too long. Here are a few ofthe things I will forever remember about 2010:

I accomplished a major dream by attending the mythical Cannes Film Festival

I never thought that our short film Raymond May Have Rabies would be shown in a special category at the Cannes Film Festival and to me it was a MAJOR dream come true. I'm so glad I got to go, see unbelievable movies, meet amazing people and attend the most glamorous events! I'm especially glad that there is still room to grow in this dream, because the ultimate Cannes dream is to have a feature film in the Official Selection. I am confident that one day it will happen! I remember in 2009 watching Quentin Tarantino go up the mythical red carpet stairs to attend the premiere of Inglorious Basterds and crying my eyes out. It's so unreal that I got to walk that same red carpet this year. I will never forget it. Somehow this clip of Les amours imaginaires, presented in the Un certain regard category (and one of my favorite movies of 2010 for sure) kind of captures in an odd way how I felt in Cannes. Titillated. And kind of in love. With all the beauty.

I emancipated myself creatively by directing OFF On The Roof videos

One of the best experience for me in 2010 was directing and producing 12 music videos that all took place on roofs. It was my dear friend Sophie's idea (she always has the BEST and most unusual ideas) to do one to promote the festival she programs, but we got hooked! We decided to make more, always with the same concept: one band, one song, one roof, one take. OFF On The Roof was born and we had the BEST time making them. Sophie is someone that is very inspiring to me and making these videos was the first step to creative emancipation. I am very excited that we will start shooting videos again come this spring! Here is our most popular video from 2010:

I took on new producing challenges with Spirafilm's collective project in Super-8MM film

After spending a big part of 2009 financing Spirafilm's Québec Super-8 project (8 short film directed by 8 indie filmmakers in Super-8MM), we finally started shooting in May of 2010. Yee-haw! The premiere is already set for June 2011 (can't wait!) and the project has been picked up for viewing at some major festivals in Canada, Europe and the Middle East. It's been amazing working with the filmmakers and their cast and crew and I feel so lucky to produce movies with them.

Super-8MM Tests from Virginie Lavallée Bélanger on Vimeo.

I created Virginie's Cinema / started a blog !

My first goal in starting the blog was to document my journey as a producer / Spirafilm Art Director. I am one busy career girl and don't want to forget anything along the way! It was great timing as 2010 is the year that I produced the most movies so far, got the most press interest (tv and radio!), started travelling for work and created a Ciné-club in my city.

The blog is also ment to help me find my artistic voice. After hosting radio shows for 5 years I definitely needed a change and am super happy with blogging, though I think my real voice has yet to be heard (I'm starting to know how to express it though... more to come in 2011!). The blog was also an incentive to take it up a notch when it comes to style as a way of personal expression. 

I celebrated one year of mariage. Awwwww

What else can I say? Being married to your soulmate is awesome.

And made some truly amazing friends 

I had one of the best summers of my life hanging out (and dancing everywhere!) with my Crew. Making new friends when moving to a different city can be challenging and I am SO happy that my friends found me!

2010 was everything I dreamed it would be and so much more. I am already hard at work on the next stage of my career and 2011 looks SO promising!

I wish you all the best for this new year. Dream big, work hard, and LOVE!

XOX