Denis Côté

Denis Côté was a Canadian filmmaker whose best-known works included the award-winning drama "Curling" (2010) and the documentary "Bestiaire" (2012). Côté was born on November 16, 1973 in Perth-Andover, New Brunwick. He studied film at Collège Ahuntsic and founded the production company nihilproductions in 1994. At first, he directed short films that played on the festival circuit. His first feature-length film was "Les états nordiques" ("Drifting States") (2005), which won the Golden Leopard - Video award at the Locarno International Film Festival. In 2009, Côté received acclaim for his documentary film directorial debut, "Carcasses," which told the story of a man who runs a "car cemetery." Côté also produced the film and was named one of Canada's Top Ten filmmakers at the Toronto International Film Festival. His next feature, "Curling" (2010), continued his streak of acclaim at independent film festivals, including a Best Director win at the 2010 Locarno International Film Festival. Côté's next documentary, "Bestiaire," explored how animals and humans observe each other. It premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and received several awards at Canada's Jutra Awards, including Best Documentary and Best International Motion Picture. Côté's "Vic + Flo Saw a Bear" (2013), a film about a pair of ex-convict lesbian lovers starting anew in rural Quebec, saw its debut at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival.