The Nomadic Filmmaking Quest

My name is Philippe Delorme. I’m originally from Ottawa but have since settled in Montreal. My passion for the arts has been with me for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I was creating stop-motion videos, video game edits, and short films that I would post on YouTube. So when the opportunity came to take a film and video production class in high school, I didn’t hesitate. Up until that point, most of my projects were solo efforts, so the class gave me a first real taste of working in a team environment. That experience only fueled my love for storytelling and filmmaking.

After high school, I enrolled in the Film and Television Production program at Trebas Institute in Montreal. There, I developed essential technical skills, like sound recording, camera and lighting operation, and television switching. But what stood out the most was the experience of creating a film from start to finish, from the script writing to the editing room. I also had the chance to work with an international group of students. It was incredibly inspiring to see people from all over the world come together on a single creative project. Everyone brought something unique to the table, whether in directing, camera work, production design; we all contributed our talents to bring these films to life.

After graduating, I found myself, like many new graduates, at a bit of a crossroads. I realized that working for a union or being a technician at a company wasn’t what I wanted. I took on a few smaller projects, like music videos and various shoots to keep my skills sharp. But after a few months, I found myself stuck in the same routine, longing for something more fulfilling.

That spark came during a trip to Lisbon this past spring. Something about that trip lit a fire in me. I was reminded that there’s a whole world out there, full of different perspectives and ways of life. I met artists from all over who had come to one place to enjoy life and to create. When I returned to Canada, I was inspired. I began writing a few short film scripts with the idea of filming them in various cities across Europe during a backpacking trip.

Starting on October 7, 2025, I’ll return to Lisbon, a city I know fairly well and where I’ve already formed connections. From there, I’ll head east, filming short films in four to five different cities over the span of about four months. In the lead-up to this journey, I’ll be dedicating my time to scriptwriting, pre-production planning, and connecting online with artists and filmmakers in each city. The goal is to gather talented individuals and build creative environments where emerging artists like myself can thrive.

During the trip, I’ll focus on directing each project, immersing myself in new cultures, and building lasting memories. Once I return to Canada, I’ll shift my focus to post-production, making sure each film’s story is supported by strong sound design, music, and a distinctive visual style.

From there, I’ll submit the completed films to international festivals, especially in the countries where they were shot, in hopes of sharing the passion and collaboration behind them. Finally, I plan to organize a screening event to present these short films to an audience, celebrating the work, the journey, and the people who made it all possible.

While I’ve already secured the majority of the funds needed to bring this project to life, my goal is to cover a portion of the remaining expenses with your help. Donations will go toward equipment rentals, shooting locations and permits, feeding the cast and crew, film festival submissions, and organizing a screening to share the final result with you. Every contribution makes a difference, no matter the amount, even simply sharing this message helps immensely.

I’m also hoping to connect with fellow creatives while I’m abroad, and maybe even collaborate or support each other’s projects. So if you, or someone you know is a filmmaker, musician, or artist of any kind based in Europe, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Now more than ever is an important time to come together to share our stories and to create.

Thank you in advance for your support, in whatever form it may come.