Spotlighting the stupendous class of Young Guns 20
Nearly 100 renowned industry professionals made up the jury for Young Guns this year. And after revealing the 84 finalists, it is finally time to unveil the 31 winners who make up the class of Young Guns 20.
Every year, we add another class of young talent from all over the globe to the exclusive Young Guns community. The winners of Young Guns 20 are your next project directors, animators, designers, editors, illustrators, artists, photographers, storytellers, coders, and writers. So this is your cue to follow them on Instagram immediately– because they are our industry’s future legends after all.
In two weeks, the winners will fly into NYC from around the world to celebrate their accomplishments, make new friends, have a few cocktails, and take home their official Young Guns Cube. We can’t wait to celebrate with them at Sony Hall on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 6:30 PM– and we hope to see you there too!
Before the party begins, we took the time to get to know each of our winners so you can read up on the highly creative individuals who make up Young Guns 20.
VINCENT RENÉ-LORTIE
DIRECTOR
Based:
MONTRÉAL, CANADA
Hometown:
MONTRÉAL, CANADA
When did you first hear about Young Guns? What were your initial impressions of the Young Guns competition — the award and the community?
I've been hearing about Young Guns for a few years now. It’s a very well-established competition in my community here in Montreal. Several friends recommended I send in my portfolio, however, I think the moment I really grasped the magnitude of Young Guns was when I was nominated last year. Seeing all the creatives, from all over the world, people I've admired for years, being there. I was blown away and honored to find myself amongst them!
What did you do this time that was different than last year?
I think I've grown considerably as an artist since last year, which I believe is inevitable for all of us. To mature and discover your artistic signature– it takes years or even a lifetime! I’ve learned to put my focus on narrative films, and dig up stories close to my heart that I can relate to and really care for– that way I stay true to myself and my values, with hopes to become a better artist over time.
Young Guns is as much an exercise in self-curation as it is in sheer creative talent. After all, you are only allowed to submit six projects. How did you decide which pieces were best to enter and truly reflected you and your work?
Each film I direct embodies my state of mind during a specific point in time. So, it just felt natural to pick projects that represent me the most today.
What went through your mind when you discovered that you won, especially knowing how difficult it is to make it into Young Guns? Do you remember the exact place and time you were when you found out the news?
I feel fortunate and thankful to be nominated among all these incredible talents. For me, that was enough. I never thought I would win. So when I heard the news, I couldn't believe it. I was in my bed, my eyes were still a little blurry, and it was the first email I read in the morning. I was undoubtedly surprised! My work is the result of long-term collaborations, so this prize is shared with all those who have helped me build these projects from the ground in the last few years. And it is with them that I want to celebrate the win!
How would you describe your personal brand in one sentence? Now, try defining it in three words.
I create personal stories that live through poetic and dreamlike universes. If I could describe it in three words, it would be - purposely driven art.
Who are some of the biggest influences on you and your career?
I think my biggest influences in recent years have been Montreal Directors Maxime Giroux and Anne Émond. They are both really present as much in the advertising industry as within the film community. I greatly admire their sensitivity and the authenticity of their work. I had the chance to be mentored by these two artists and I hope to continue doing so as my career builds on!
Now that you’re in the Young Guns crew, are there any past winners you look up to and admire? What is it about their work that you love?
Yeah, I mean just from last year there were two directors I greatly admired that won. Farhad Ghaderi (YG19), who is as much a director as an excellent cinematographer, and Douglas Bernardt (YG19). They are honestly some of the greatest artists of our generation. They have a unique eye, and they approach their films with such honesty and finesse that I always manage to really connect with their stories.
Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill — hey, maybe Young Guns can help propel you in that direction!
One of my biggest dreams is to direct a feature film in the years to come. It’s an enormous challenge I’ve been eager to jump into, as I’ve just initiated the writing process along with my co-writer Clara Milo. It’s a personal story tainted with fantastical whims, whilst being grounded in a seemingly realistic world. This idea has been in my head for two years now and it surely is the next big challenge waiting for me!
This is YG20, but what do you imagine you’ll be up to when YG30 rolls around in 2032, both personally and professionally?
I want to tell the most relevant stories in our day and age. In 10 years, I only hope to approach directing with the same accuracy, purpose, and love. I hope my stories will touch people and help them in whatever hardships they are going through. Above all, I hope to do this with my friends and my close partners. And if this means I can work on my personal films while creating meaningful commercials, then my dream will be fulfilled.
"I want to tell the most relevant stories in our day and age. In 10 years, I only hope to approach directing with the same accuracy, purpose, and love. I hope my stories will touch people and help them in whatever hardships they are going through. Above all, I hope to do this with my friends and my close partners. And if this means I can work on my personal films while creating meaningful commercials, then my dream will be fulfilled."
Any thoughts on how you are feeling about winning YG20?
As cheesy as it may sound, I find what has made me grow the most is by following my own intuition. This is undoubtedly what has led me to make the best films of my early career. The projects I'm least proud of are those I knew all along I shouldn't have done. Our intuitions are primary, they know us much more than what we are willing to admit. So let's listen to them! And a huge thank you to the YG20 jury for this merit. It means so much to me. I hope more than anything to be able to make it to the NYC party so we can celebrate together!
Come party with us and celebrate all the Young Guns 20 winners on Wednesday, November 16 at Sony Hall!
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