OSCAR®-qualified LGBTQ+ MUSCAT directed by Philippe Grenier: An audacious exploration of a young boy confronted with the discovery of his identity

MUSCAT written and directed by Philippe Grenier is a film about incommunicability, resilience, taboos and sexual awakening. The meeting between Samir and Louis is decisive: like a storm in his heart and body, he experiences strong feelings that are impossible to ignore. His attraction to Louis will push Samir to reveal a truth that has been deeply repressed until now. This deeply touching short film has qualified to be considered for the 97th Academy® Awards.

Samir, a 16-year-old fisherman, discovers his attraction towards men when he meets Louis, a tourist traveling Morocco with his wife. When Louis faces the worst, Samir is the only one who can help him.

Philippe Grenier is a multidisciplinary creator also known as a director of Premier Trio’s tv series broadcasted on Radio-Canada – for which he won the Gémeaux Award for Best Directing and Best Youth Program in 2024. He directed his first short film in 2013  THE ENDLESS DAYS. He has also worked on music videos and commercials and is currently undertaking writing his first feature film SUZANNE, TU TOMBES with support from SODEC and Telefilm Canada.

MUSCAT was inspired by a story told to Grenier by his grandmother, with the ending of the film mirroring the heartbreaking travel experience of her distant cousin. The director found it necessary to tell the story through the fictional character of Samir, a young homosexual boy coming to terms with his sexuality in a country where gay individuals are still harshly persecuted. Grenier, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, recognises his privilege, living in a country where he is free to love whoever he wants and feels it is his goal to bring more divisive stories such as MUSCAT to the screen and to defend the rights of the LGTBQIA+ community.

MUSCAT recently won First Prize for the Breaking Boundaries Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, for films that celebrate the endurance of the human spirit and resilience in the face of injustice, whilst also taking home the award for Best Narrative Short at Provincetown International Film Festival.

This incredible film features phenomenally authentic performances by Ilyes Tarmasti, Mahmoud Zabennej and Alexandre Bergeron.

The immersive cinematography was carefully captured by Derek Branscombe.

The film was produced by Montreal-based production company Ô Films, headed by two female producers, Sophie Ricard-Harvey and Charlotte Beaudoin-Poisson. Ô Films specialise in developing projects by filmmakers whose vision stands out locally and internationally. The daring duo do not hesitate to embrace sensitive and original content. They have produced other short films such as BRASIER directed by Emilie Mannering, and FRIMAS directed by Oscar nominee Marianne Farley which was shortlisted for the 2019 Oscars®. 

This incredibly emotional and poignant film has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Oscars®.