Imagination Wins Cannes Lion

Sherpas Cinema Wins Silver Lion at 65th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

“Is this really happening?” says Sherpas Cinema Director Dave Mossop. “We’re up against all genres, all budgets, basically all the biggest creative houses in the world. It’s thoroughly humbling to receive this recognition, appreciation, and validation on such an enormous global stage.”

Click to Watch –> IMAGINATION: Tom Wallisch

In collaboration with The North Face, Sherpas Cinema, a small production house based in Whistler, British Columbia, released Imagination: Tom Wallisch in October, 2017, which quickly went viral. Imagination has seen over 4M views online and won “Best of the Year” in action sports from Vimeo. A staple on the season’s film festival circuit, the short, which recreates a little boy’s ski dreams as he travels through a snowy town in the back of a car, also won Best Snow Film at the prestigious Banff Mountain Film Festival.

Shot in Nelson, British Columbia, the Imagination: Tom Wallisch recently won a Silver Lion in Cannes in the “Film Craft – Direction” category. A Cannes Lion represents the pinnacle recognition for commercial work, a space dominated by the biggest brands and ad agencies in the world. Sherpas Cinema collaborated directly with The North Face to create the piece, and the Silver Lion is the first for both companies.

“It really was a team effort,” explains Tim Symes, who edited the spot. “We had a collective vision and took on a relatively simple idea, but went deep in the subtle nuance, the layering of the shots, and the continuity to make something truly unique. Along the way, The North Face gave us huge creative freedom.”

Click to Watch –> IMAGINATION: Behind the Scenes.

“We have to thank JP Auclair and Landon Basset for pulling strings from the heavens (not to mention writing and executive producing the film),” continues Mossop. “None of this would not have happened without them. Also, a massive thanks to the whole The North Face and Sherpas family who brought it all to life. It is phenomenal for us to be rewarded so wonderfully after everyone’s tireless efforts.”