Jour2Fête has taken French distribution rights to period dramedy “La Portraitiste,” directed by Annie St-Pierre and written by Florence Longpré, who also stars in the film. The deal was signed in Cannes with H264, a Montreal-based international sales company.
Longpré, an actress as well as a writer, first came to public attention with “Like-Moi!” in the role of Gaby Gravel, and later made a strong impression with “Can You Hear Me?” (M’entends-tu?) and “Audrey’s Back” (Audrey est revenue), two critically acclaimed series, on which she also collaborated as a screenwriter. She is also the co-screenwriter of “Le temps des framboises.”
In 2025, Longpré unveiled “Empathy” (Empathie), a series she wrote and starred in. It won the Audience Award at Séries Mania prior to its broadcast on Canal+, with a second season in development.
St-Pierre directed the documentaries “Fermières” and “Le plein potentiel,” the latter selected at SXSW in 2025. Her short film “Like the Ones I Used to Know” (Les grandes claques) premiered at Sundance and was shortlisted for the Academy Awards in 2021 in the live-action short film category.
“We are huge fans of the series ‘Empathie’ and of Florence Longpré’s work, and we are thrilled to distribute ‘La Portraitiste,’ Annie St-Pierre’s first fiction feature following her remarkable short film. Working with Florence, who will star in the film and co-wrote this beautiful screenplay, is something we are incredibly excited about,” said Sarah Chazelle, president and founder of Jour2fête.
“Jour2Fête is an essential partner in France. Their confidence in ‘La Portraitiste’ is incredibly exciting for us. Following the success of ‘Empathie’ in France, we are thrilled that the film will receive a release worthy of its potential,” said Jean-Christophe J. Lamontagne, co-president of H264.
“La Portraitiste,” which is currently filming in Quebec, is produced by Roger Frappier, nominated at the Oscars for “The Power of the Dog” by Jane Campion, with Sylvie Lacoste and Véronika Molnar.
It is a period dramedy with touches of magical realism, set in Montreal in 1962. It follows Françoise, who leads a stifling life, dictated by her husband Germain and sanctioned by her aunt Agathe. Françoise is a receptionist at the local police station, where her beloved cousin Gilles patrols, and is unexpectedly asked to sketch the composite of an assailant.
The experience rekindles her passion for drawing and suddenly reveals the contours of her telepathic gift. Françoise’s prophetic intuition draws her into an investigation alongside Sergeant Stevenson, where long-buried family secrets echo her own past.
Carried by a burgeoning love and the discovery of her gift, Françoise comes to understand that every quest inevitably leads back to oneself.
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