Billy is a Canadian documentary film, directed by Lawrence Côté-Collins and released in 2024.Allan Hunter, "‘Billy’: Visions du Reel Review". Screen Daily, April 17, 2024.
The film profiles Billy Poulin, an actor Côté-Collins had worked with in her debut short film No Pain, No Gain (Pas de pain, pas de gain) before cutting off contact with him in the early 2010s when he physically assaulted her, and who later exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia before being convicted and imprisoned for committing murder in 2013."Une projection semée d’embûches pour Billy". Ici Radio-Canada, May 28, 2025. It centres in part on their efforts to reconcile and heal their relationship following the assault incident, as well as highlighting excerpts from Poulin's own amateur filmmaking during the early decline in his mental health.Frédérique Brousseau, "Lawrence Côté-Collins confronte plusieurs tabous avec « Billy »". Qui Fait Quoi, May 27, 2025.
Distribution The film premiered at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival in 2024, and subsequently screened at other film festivals.
It received a special commercial screening in Poulin's hometown of Matane, Quebec, in January 2025,"Lawrence Côté-Collins présente son film Billy à Matane". Ici Radio-Canada Première, January 17, 2025. before going into general commercial release in May 2025."Billy, de Lawrence Côté-Collins, à l’affiche le 23 mai 2025". CTVM, April 28, 2025.
Awards The film won the Student Jury Award at the 2024 Montreal International Documentary Festival,Pat Mullen, "Intercepted and Republic Top RIDM Winners". Point of View, December 1, 2024. and a special jury citation in the documentary competition at the 2025 Seattle International Film Festival.Matthew Carey, "Seattle International Film Festival: ‘Seeds,’ ‘Tinā,’ ‘Suburban Fury,’ ‘The Crowd’ Among Top Prize Winners". Deadline Hollywood, May 26, 2025.
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