The 36th Montreal World Film Festival announces that it will honour Mel Hoppenheim with its Grand Prize of the Americas. "There are few men in our cinema with the Mel Hoppenheim's stature," declared MWFF president Serge Losique. "He is among the men most responsible for the concrete development of Quebec and Canadian film industries. As a builder and entrepreneur but also as a generous philanthropist, Mel was a prime mover in the establishment of a true domestic film industry....

By Maria Esteves - December 16, 2007 Mel Cheren (January 21, 1933 - December 7, 2007), was a painter, founder of 24 Hours For Life, fiscal sponsor for LIFEbeat, CEO & Founding Partner of West End Records, and financial backer of the Paradise Garage dance venue. The documentary film of THE GODFATHER OF DISCO, directed by Gene Graham, based on Mel's autobiography "My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep On Dancin" is the greatest historical gift from back in the day. In the 1980's...