Xavier Dolan

Xavier Dolan-Tadros, better known as Xavier Dolan, is a highly accomplished Canadian filmmaker and actor. From his beginnings as a child actor appearing in commercials, Dolan's career evolved into an illustrious oeuvre encompassing various roles in the film industry. His debut as a filmmaker took the world by surprise when his initial feature film, I Killed My Mother, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in, premiered at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. The film won three awards to much acclaim. Dolan's filmmaking career has flourished since then, with a prolific output of eight feature films, the majority of which also premiered at Cannes Film Festival. Apart from critical success at film festivals, Dolan's films have been recognized with numerous accolades, including a Jury Prize at Cannes for Mommy and the Grand Prix for It's Only the End of the World. In addition to his filmmaking exploits, Dolan has directed music videos, most notably for Adele's hit singles 'Hello' and 'Easy on Me', earning a Grammy nomination.

Dolan hails from Montreal, Quebec, where he was born and raised. He embarked on his acting journey at a tender age of 4, mostly working in commercials. After few years of acting, he transitioned into directing, citing his desire to have the artistic authority to make casting decisions. His experience in the film industry, however, extends past directing feature films and acting. Dolan has a background in multiple aspects of filmmaking, from screenwriting and costume designing to film editing. His acknowledgement of his past as a 'hyperactive child', and his appreciation of the experiences that built his career, is well-articulated in his reflections on his journey.