Entertainment Notebook: Montreal animated film shortlisted for Oscars; Manilow is coming

Travelling and Sémaphore Films have announced that the independent short film A Crab in the Pool, directed by Quebec filmmakers Alexandra Myotte and Jean-Sébastien Hamel, has been shortlisted for the Oscars in the category of Best Animated Short Film. The five nominees for this award will be revealed on January 17, 2025. The 2D animated film tells the story of Zoé and her younger brother Théo, living in a disadvantaged suburban neighborhood near Olympic Stadium. On the brink of adolescence, Zoé is a ball of raw, barely-contained anger, haunted by a deep-seated terror. Théo, still childlike, escapes into a fantastical imaginary world. Over the course of a sweltering summer day, the two children must confront the issues in their relationship to avoid losing each other forever. This is not recommended for young children as there is some adult content. Produced by Sémaphore Films, the filmmakers’ own studio, and distributed by Travelling, A Crab in the Pool has had a remarkable festival run. After screening at Clermont-Ferrand, SXSW, and Palm Springs, the film has been selected in over 120 festivals, winning more than 30 awards, including the Audience Award at SXSW (USA), Best Animated Short at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (Japan), and Best Film at Anim’est (Romania). A Crab in the Pool is available for free as a Vimeo Staff Pick Premiere right here. 

Myotte and Hamel are a Montreal-based duo of screenwriters and directors whose animated short films have been featured in festivals worldwide. Their previous film, Pas de titre (2021), won several awards, including Best Canadian Short Film at EIFF 2021, and was nominated for the 2022 Iris Award for Best Animated Short Film. The film is 11 minutes.

BARRY MANILOW: I will happily admit it: I have always been and remain a true Barry Manilow fan. Outback recently announced that following his previous critically acclaimed arena shows, the 81 year old  Manilow, the undisputed number one adult contemporary artist of all time, is coming  back by popular demand for one last concert on May 30 at the Bell Centre. I was there for his last one 16 years ago. Tickets are on sale at evenko.ca. Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide Manilow is one of the world’s all-time best selling recording artists. The Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winning musician has had an astonishing 51 Top 40 singles including 12 number ones and 27 Top 10 hits. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to visit these great cities of which I have so many fond memories,” Manilow said in a statement. “Each one is special to my touring history.”  I have requested an interview. My fingers are crossed.

TOP CHEF CANADA: Chanthy Yen, one of the 15 signature chefs at Time Out Market Montréal, has won the 11th season of Top Chef Canada, the nation’s most prestigious culinary competition! This triumph highlights his exceptional talent and creativity, and the Market is incredibly proud to have this culinary star among its ranks. Renowned for his unique fusion of Cambodian and Canadian cuisines, Vancouver-based  Yen impressed judges and audiences with his refined creations and innovative approach. Combining his rich heritage with vibrant flavours, he beautifully embodies a spirit of creativity and innovation through his delectable dishes. Since joining Time Out Market Montréal, Yen has captivated visitors with bold and flavorful dishes. His Top Chef Canada victory is a national recognition of his journey and a celebration of the incredible culinary community fostered at the Market. To catch up on Top Chef Canada, Season 11, the full season can be streamed on STACKTV.

GRAY COLLECTION: This holiday season, Gray Collection, the collection of acclaimed hotels, restaurants, spas, terraces, and lofts in Montreal and Ottawa, offers an array of festive dining experiences and premium getaways that will elevate the spirit of the season. From special holiday menus to exclusive New Year’s Eve events and hotel packages, we invite you to share these exciting offers with your audience!

There will be two unforgettable New Year’s Eve events in the heart of Montreal at the Vieux-Port Steakhouse (Espace Vieux-Port) and Hotel William Gray. The latter will include a welcome cocktail, some appetizers, an open bar, a gastronomic six-course meal with wine, live music, a glass of champagne to cheers 2025, a night snack table, a DJ that will bring heat to the dancefloor and a photobooth.

NEW SKATING RINK: TOHU has announced the opening of a new refrigerated skating rink for the 2024-2025 winter season, in partnership with contemporary skating company Le Patin Libre. Until Sunday, March 9, Montrealers, residents of Saint-Michel and curious visitors will get to enjoy the pleasures of skating every weekend. Accessible free of charge, the refrigerated rink will accommodate up to 150 people on its 800m2 surface. TOHU will also generally be offering a wide range of free programs, including initiations on ice, evening dance parties and much more. Whether you’re more inclined to getting out with the family, with friends, or as a hardy soul braving the winter all by yourself, TOHU’s skating rink is the perfect destination for a fun time on weekends. You’ll find free activities and entertainment brought to you by Le Patin Libre like ice-dancing initiations. During spring break, from March 4 to 8 at 7 p.m., don’t miss Vertical, an unforgettable show on ice by Le Patin Libre. A co-production of the Dance Umbrella Festival (UK), Théâtre de la Ville de Paris (France) and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Tickets will go on sale shortly. TOHU’s refrigerated skating rink will offer a skate rental service as well as a heated changing room. Skates will rent for $15 for adults and free for ages 17 and under based in Montreal. Saint-Michel residents will be entitled to free rental when they present proof of residence. The rink is open every weekend: on Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A skate rental service will be available on site, as well as a heated changing room. Food and drink will be available in TOHU’s lobby. Admission to the refrigerated rink is free. Consult the complete schedule and programming details on the website. Interested in renting the refrigerated rink for company activities, children’s parties or office bashes? More info at corpos@tohu.ca.

Once again, this year, from January 11 to March 9, 2025, TOHU will be offering its visitors loans of skis, snowshoes, snow scooters and kites. You can use them to enjoy three trails of different lengths and degrees of difficulty in Parc Frédéric-Back. Winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing will also be possible starting from TOHU. “The new skating rink is a wonderful addition to the abundant offerings of Parc Frédéric-Back, a unique urban outdoor destination,” said Mayor Valerie Plante. “This skating rink, accessible to all, will allow us to enjoy the joys of winter and celebrate our northern nature. We are proud to support this initiative, which enriches the cultural and community life of Saint-Michel and all of Montreal. ”

TOHU, located in the heart of Cité des arts du cirque, is the premier place for dissemination, creation, experimentation and convergence between culture, environment and community involvement in North America. TOHU contributes to the rise of Montreal to the rank of international capital for circus arts while positioning itself as a reference point in terms of sustainable development through culture.

Info: TOHU.CA.

MARINO NOMINATED: Montreal crooner David Marino has been nominated in New York for two BroadwayWorld Awards for “Best Show” and “Best Vocalist”, and it’s a vote to determine the winner of the award. You can show your support for David by going to this link. Keep in mind you must cast a vote though for every category at this link.

MOBILE GAMING TECHNOLOGY: Aquimo Inc., a leader in mobile gaming technology for sports broadcasts and live events, has partnered with Sportsnet to bring hockey fans a one-of-a-kind, new interactive mobile gaming experience. Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown – a brand-new, custom mobile game developed by Aquimo, launched on December 7 during Sportsnet’s live Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, giving fans across Canada a chance to compete in real-time multiplayer challenges and a month-long contest to win exclusive prizes, including a 2025 Hyundai Kona. This collaboration marks Aquimo’s first television broadcast partnership in Canada and a milestone in the company’s expansion into the market.

Powered by Aquimo’s innovative technology platform, Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown allows fans to engage with live hockey broadcasts in an entirely new way while watching their favorite teams compete on ice. Aquimo’s proprietary mobile tech enables millions of fans to play together in real-time, seamlessly integrating branded experiences into live broadcasts. For broadcasters like Sportsnet, Aquimo’s platform provides tools to boost audience retention, foster loyalty, and create measurable value for brand sponsors through a highly engaging second screen experience. Fans watching Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet can join the action by simply scanning a QR code displayed on-screen during each live broadcast, allowing them to test their hockey skills in dynamic challenges against fellow viewers. Throughout the month of December, players can stay engaged well beyond the live broadcasts, competing for weekly prizes and a chance at the top grand prizes. This innovative collaboration merges the thrill of live hockey with the excitement of competitive gaming, delivering an unparalleled viewing experience for fans while creating unique opportunities for advertisers to connect with Sportsnet’s engaged audience.

“We’re proud to be working with Sportsnet to bring this unique activation to life and give Canadian hockey fans an exciting new way to engage with the game they love – one that creates a dynamic and immersive connection with the action both on and off the ice,” said Mark Jeffery, founder and CEO of Aquimo. “This collaboration underscores the power of interactive mobile gaming to transform live sports broadcasts, and our ability to create meaningful engagement for fans while providing a new form of measurable value for broadcasters, their sponsors and partners.”

Be sure to check this out for the Dec. 28 game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals. Fans participating during each live broadcast will have access to exclusive challenges and the opportunity to win weekly prizes, made possible by Sportsnet’s brand partners. Weekly top two eligible high scorers can look forward to winning special rewards including Shark/Ninja Game Night Packs consisting of a sushi maker, vacuum, indoor grill and a cooler, or $250 Today’s Shopping Choice gift cards, adding to the game-day experience and excitement on the ice. Throughout December, players can continue competing in multiple games to climb the leaderboard, culminating in the awarding of two grand prizes. The top scorer across all games at the end of the month will win a 2025 Hyundai Kona, while the second grand prize winner will be chosen via a random drawing at the end of the month and will receive a year’s supply of coffee from Tim Hortons. All participating fans will automatically be entered into the drawing. “Our collaboration with Aquimo and the launch of Sportsnet Slap Shot Showdown represents an innovative step forward in how we engage our audience and marketers,” said Anthony Attard, Vice-president of Sales, Sportsnet. “By incorporating Aquimo’s interactive gaming technology into our broadcasts, we’re not only enhancing the fan experience, but also giving our partners a new and exciting platform to connect with fans in a meaningful and memorable way.”