Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan joins France's Order of Arts and Letters

Director Xavier Dolan poses for photographs on the red carpet after arriving for the new movie "The Death and Life of John F. Donovan" during the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 10, 2018. Montreal actor-director Xavier Dolan says a release date has been set for "The Death and Life of John. F Donovan" in France, but no word yet on when it will hit theatres in Canada or the rest of the world. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ottawa — Quebec filmmaker Xavier Dolan has been named an officer in France's Order of Arts and Letters.

The French ambassador to Canada gave Dolan the prestigious cultural honour at a ceremony in Ottawa on Sunday.

The appointment recognizes the Montreal actor and director's contributions to French-language cinema and culture.

Dolan has been a darling of the Cannes Film Festival since age 20, winning acclaim with features including "I Killed My Mother," "Mommy" and "It's Only the End of the World."

Established in 1957, the Order of Arts and Letters recognizes creators who have helped further the arts in France and throughout the world.

Other Canadians who've received the honour include Celine Dion, Jean-Marc Vallee, Denis Villeneuve, Robert Lepage and Anne Dorval.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2019.