Jean-François Lévesque

Jean-François Lévesque was born in Saint-Gabriel near Rimouski, Quebec in 1978 and has been drawing since he was a boy. Strongly influenced by strip cartoons, he developed a “caricature” style that he used to earn his living during the summer at various regional events.

At the Carrousel international du film de Rimouski, he took part four times running in André Leduc’s Animathon. After this he concentrated on animation and studied the subject for two years at Capilano College in Vancouver.

Returning to Montreal, he worked in advertising, using various animation techniques. He did not seek to specialize, preferring versatility. During these years, he created a 30-second animated film.

After three intensive years in advertising, he spent a year self-employed, and after that worked at Spectra Animation for a year.

In October 2004 he won the 17th Cinéaste recherché(e) contest run by the NFB’s Animation and Youth Studio, and made The Necktie, his first professional film.