The Montreal World Film Festival

A friend passed away...I remember when we were both 60 in Cannes having fun in front of Salle du 60ème...

I was so happy to see him in Montreal, (he arrived a bit late and missed the grand opening of the 40th edition of Serge Losique's Festival.

British film producer Donald Ranvaud, who was a jury member in the Montreal World Film Festival (WFF), died suddenly in his hotel room on Sunday night of a heart attack. He was 62.

Ranvaud was known for producing the film City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, which was nominated for an Oscar and won an award at the BAFTAs, the British film awards. He also produced The Constant Gardener, another film by Meirelles.

Besides his many films focusing on Brazil, Ranvaud also made documentaries, including one about the playwright, screenwriter and director David Mamet.

WFF president Serge Losique described him as "a friend, a writer, a producer, a movie buff and a journalist."

Organizers of the WFF held a minute of silence at the festival's closing ceremony on Monday night. The celebrations with the winners and finalists were cancelled.