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It is with deep sadness that the Annecy Festival team has learned of the death of Hélène Tanguay, who was involved in the animation industry for over 37 years.
Hélène Tanguay, born in Montréal, joined the NFB (National Film Board of Canada) in 1970 and soon afterwards held a position in the Bureau des festivals. In 1979, she was elected to the ASIFA Canada’s Board of Directors where she held various positions across 13 years. For 6 years she was the Canadian delegate at the ASIFA International Council. She also participated as a jury member at prestigious festivals (Espinho, Hiroshima, and Annecy). In recognition of her exceptional contribution to the animation community and to honour her departure from the NFB, the Ottawa International Animation Festival awarded Hélène Tanguay the title of Honorary President for its 2007 edition.
Hélène Tanguay had a special relationship with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival having attended every year since 1975, until 2008, when she was jury member for the short films category.
Retired since 2007, she was the finest ambassador the NFB ever had. She was charming, funny, playful, colourful, and strong willed. She loved animation, films, directors, Annecy and other festivals, and in return she too was much loved and appreciated worldwide.
In early retirement she continued to work alongside Frédéric Back in his workshop for several years until his death at the end of 2013. Even though she was already ill we had the pleasure of seeing her again at Annecy in 2017, because nothing gave her more pleasure than being at a festival with friends.
The Annecy Festival team joins her loved ones and her extensive animation family in paying tribute to the memory of such an incredible woman.
