As a student in the Concordia University Film Production department (now the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema), JF won the Best D.O.P Award, two years in a row. A close friend whom he'd met at his university graduation party sought a way to commemorate Jean-François' love of film-making and the generosity of spirit his following his death due to a film set explosion gone awry, established an award at Concordia in his name. Thanks to the generosity of two sisters, his union, his colleagues, his friends (and friends of friends), actors Tia Carrere and David Francis, and a substantial contribution from the ever generous Mel Hoppenheim (who also placed a plaque commemorating JF at Cite MEL) JF continues to make an indelible imprint on students whose passion is filmmaking.