About the festival
Our mission
Nowadays, CINEMANIA is considered the most important French-language film festival in North America, and the oldest of its kind. Founded in 1995, every November CINEMANIA gathers an eclectic selection of nearly sixty fiction films, as well as documentaries and short movies. During their last edition, in November 2022, the Festival reached 94,000 admissions over 12 days, bringing together 112 films and around 130 screenings.
Focusing on gathering people, the annual selection is enhanced by master classes, conferences and special events, while our red carpets are courted by the greatest personalities in Quebec and international cinema.
Our non-profit organization plays an active role in the vitality and cultural influence of Montreal and Quebec's province. Our films come from all over the world, from Quebec, Canada, France, Switzerland, Senegal, Belgium, Algeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Luxembourg, Central Africa... CINEMANIA creates a dynamic, modern and lively platform for contemporary creation, with the aim of reinforcing links to the international Francophonie.
CINEMANIA has emblematic venues : the Cinéma Impérial (our headquarters), Cinéma du Musée, Cinémathèque québécoise, Cinéma du Parc, Espace Saint-Denis, Sofitel Hotel Le Carré Doré.
All CINEMANIA films are presented with English subtitles for greater accessibility. Programming is based on the most important international film festivals. The aim is to create an exclusive annual window based on Cannes, Locarno, Venice, Toronto, Namur and Angoulême film festivals. Each edition of CINEMANIA features a number of prestigious guests, including a guest of honor for a retrospective of the artist's work never seen before in Canada.
Our festival is a family event for everyone, where the audience is the first judge: the Air Canada Prix du Public (formerly the Prix du Public Mel Hoppenheim) rewards the audience's favorite film. On a competitive level, the selection is divided into four main categories: the "Faces of Francophonie" Competition, the "Films from Quebec" Competition, the "Documentaries" Competition and the "Short movies" Competition. Each competition has its own jury.
Our festival is also a not-to-be-missed meeting for film professionals: cinema owners, producers, distributors, representatives of film institutions in francophone countries, programmers and festival directors, who are invited to take part in the "CINEMANIA Pro" program that brings the "La Concorde francophone" network to life.
CINEMANIA is also committed to developing and supporting image education programs in Quebec. Beyond the screenings, CINEMANIA is hosting a major conference bringing together teachers from Quebec and all over the world, as well as players from associations and schools, to discuss the challenges of film education through a series of conferences and workshops.
Commitments and code of conduct
We are committed to fight gender inequalities and promote creators and producers who are shaping tomorrow's cinema. CINEMANIA has always promoted the perspectives of women and gender minorities, indigenous people, LGBTQIA2S+ people and individuals from disadvantaged groups.
CINEMANIA recognizes that their activities take place on a first-nation territory, which has never been ceded. The Festival recognizes the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation as custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather. Tiohtiá:ke / Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations, and today is home to a diverse indigenous population as well as other peoples.
CINEMANIA Film Festival is committed to providing an exceptional cinematic experience in a respectful and inclusive environment. We are committed to preserving an inclusive and accessible cinematic experience for all spectators. We pay particular attention to the needs of people with reduced mobility (PRM) and those with special needs. Our screening venues are equipped to accommodate wheelchair users, with installations to facilitate their movement and comfort. Moreover, our teams are on hand to provide any assistance required to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
We value diversity of voices and perspectives, and are committed to creating a space where everyone feels welcome and respected. Our code of conduct promotes mutual respect, zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, and a safe atmosphere for all participants. By attending CINEMANIA, you adhere to our values of integrity, open-mindedness and respect for others. Join us to celebrate francophone cinema while contributing to a positive environment for everyone.
