Short film awarded First Prize by the Government of Quebec.
Tu es parfait-e — A short film celebrating self-acceptance
Winner of the Audience Award as part of the competition
Screened at a dozen international festivals
Viewers: 20,000+
1. Context and objectives 🎯
In 2013, as part of the competition L’égalité à l’œuvre, initiated by the Secrétariat à la condition féminine du Québec and included in the Government Action Plan for Equality Between Women and Men 2011–2015, artists Emanuel St-Pierre, Cindy Turmel, and Alexandre Gauthier presented the short film Tu es parfait-e.
The theme of this 2nd edition:👉 Body image portrayed in the media: what effects does it have on young people?
The objective of the competition was clear: to use art to promote egalitarian behaviors and to challenge stereotypes related to physical appearance.
Film concept 💡
Approach: A moving and impactful social experience.
The filmmakers asked young people to represent their “dream body” using collages cut from magazines. These collages reveal the power of media standards on self-esteem:
➡ Unrealistic, smooth, idealized silhouettes.
➡ A near-total absence of body diversity.
The short film then captures the reactions of the young people and their parents when confronted with these creations. An honest discussion begins about how media influence body perception, insecurities, and expectations.
Final message: In contrast to “slimming tips,” “miracle diets,” or “beauty advice,” the film delivers a message of self-acceptance: Tu es parfait-e, just the way you are.
Production and team 🎬
Title: Tu es parfait-e
Directors: Emanuel St-Pierre, Cindy Turmel, Alexandre Gauthier
Production: Hit Film
Duration: Short film
Genre: Social and educational documentary
Distribution and reach 📢
Views: 20,000+
Festivals: Screened at a dozen international festivals
Media impact: Publicly acknowledged by representatives of the Government of Quebec
Audience reception: Warm, emotional, intergenerational
The three finalist works, including Tu es parfait-e, were made available on the Secrétariat à la condition féminine website. They were also screened during a public viewing, attended by the teams and many young people.
💬 Quotes:
"When I watched it, I cried." – Joelle
"This work conveys a message of openness to body diversity." – Sophie Stanké
"Tu es parfait-e. The film invites a gentle but essential revolution in the way young people look at themselves." – Alexandre
Results and impact 📊
✅ Awards:
🏆 Audience Award — $10,000 awarded to the winning team
✅ Visibility:
20,000+ online views
Screenings at more than 12 international festivals
Enthusiastic reception on social media and in educational settings
Awareness tool used in youth workshops
6. Analysis and key takeaways 📚
Why it worked:
🎯 Universal and timely topic: Aesthetic pressure affects all young people, girls and boys alike.
🎥 Direct, sincere, and participatory format: Young people are given a voice.
✅ Clear, caring, and positive message: Far from beauty diktats, Tu es parfait-e encourages self-acceptance.
🌍 International reach: A local short film addressing a global issue.
🎬 Through Emanuel St-Pierre’s involvement in directing, Hit Film once again demonstrates its ability to deliver sensitive, committed, and deeply human content, fully aligned with contemporary social values.
7. Conclusion 🌟
Tu es parfait-e is a strong example of an engaged work that blends social intelligence, emotion, and documentary aesthetics. Through a participatory approach and delicate direction, the film offers a luminous response to the darkness of imposed standards. Its message of acceptance remains more relevant than ever.
