Montreal Filmmaker Joyce Borenstein Takes Oscar Voting Duty with Unwavering Commitment
While many endured a frigid February, Montreal filmmaker Joyce Borenstein embarked on extraordinary virtual journeys to distant lands—all from the comfort of her home. As a newly inducted member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Borenstein approached her voting responsibilities with remarkable dedication, screening every film nominated across all 24 Academy Award categories this year.
From Oscar Nominee to Academy Member
Borenstein, who earned an Oscar nomination in 1993 for her National Film Board animated documentary The Colours of My Father—a tribute to her father, painter Sam Borenstein—recently joined the Academy's animation board. Although only required to view animated shorts and features, her broad cinematic tastes compelled her to watch all nominated films, dedicating 69 hours to complete this comprehensive viewing marathon.
"This had to be one of my best winter escapes ever," Borenstein remarked about her digital screening experience. "And no complaints about the price, either." Her cinematic travels transported her to the Moroccan desert through the drama Sirāt, to a Chilean observatory via the documentary Perfectly a Strangeness, and to Japan's natural wonders through the animated feature Little Amélie or the Character of Rain.
A Second Journey to Hollywood
Borenstein will attend the 98th Academy Awards ceremony at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, hosted by Conan O'Brien, marking her second Oscars appearance. Her first visit in 1993 didn't result in a win but placed her on the red carpet alongside legends like Denzel Washington, Catherine Deneuve, Al Pacino, Sophia Loren, and Federico Fellini.
"Yes, seeing those actors in person reduced them from godlike figures on the giant silver screen to fellow human beings of life-size proportions," she reflected. Though she didn't take home the golden statuette, Air Canada surprised her with a chocolate Oscar during her return flight, which featured a screening of her nominated film.
Informed Voting and Industry Evolution
With voting concluded, Borenstein shared her selections across categories, emphasizing her commitment to thoughtful decision-making:
- Best Film: Train Dreams ("So beautifully lyrical and quiet")
- Best International Feature: Spain's Sirāt
- Best Actor: Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon
- Best Actress: Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue
- Best Animated Short: NFB's The Girl Who Cried Pearls
She praised the Academy's recent diversification efforts, noting increased inclusion of international cinema and broader membership across gender and racial lines. "It's relatively new that the Academy is opening up to feature films from around the world," she observed, citing Brazilian and Norwegian films now competing beyond the international category.
Personal Reflections and Future Projects
Surrounded by her father's vibrant paintings in her Montreal apartment, Borenstein—a retired animation professor at Concordia University and UQAM, and recipient of the 2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal—acknowledged this year's strong film offerings while critiquing lengthy blockbusters like Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Currently developing a "tragic comedy" based on her life experiences, Borenstein emphasized how overcoming personal challenges has shaped her artistic perspective. "I had some rough times. I was a very shy person who had become tongue-tied under stress. Fortunately, I overcame that. Now comedy prevails," she concluded, demonstrating how personal growth continues to influence her creative journey.
