Published on 03/09/2025
CINEMANIA Film Festival and Just for Laughs announce a new partnership. Thanks to this promising collaboration, the Québec comedy giant now launching a new division dedicated to theatrical comedy distribution becomes the exclusive presenting partner of CINEMANIA’s A Breath of Fresh Air section, which highlights all types of audience-friendly comedies : satirical, political, family-oriented, romantic, and more.
This initiative is a unique opportunity to broaden the reach of the most popular films each year and to welcome leading names in francophone comedy to Montréal. Designed as a long-term partnership, this new alliance also introduces the Just for Laughs Audience Award for Best Comedy.
“A visionary with a passion, Sylvain Parent-Bédard has brought a bold new energy to Just for Laughs. This partnership with Just for Laughs felt entirely natural, especially given how vibrant the comedy scene has become. Our shared ambitions open up new opportunities for CINEMANIA, allowing us to offer major events that will celebrate the French-speaking world while strengthening Québec’s entertainment industry.” Guilhem Caillard, General and Artistic Director, CINEMANIA
“This partnership with CINEMANIA marks a major milestone for Just for Laughs. By adding comedic films to our new distribution arm, we aim to offer a strong, complementary platform for creators, producers, and distributors. Our ambition is to showcase new voices, improve discoverability, and spotlight the best comedic works from here and abroad. Comedy is a universal language that brings people and cultures together. We’re proud to support its growth, in Québec and internationally, and to solidify its place in the cinematic landscape.” Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President, Just for Laughs.
By Vinciane Millereau
By Elsa Zylberstein & Didier Bourdon
Francophone Film Festival of Angoulême 2025
In a small French town, Hélène, Michel and their two children live happily in the carefree atmosphere of the 1950s. Suddenly propelled into 2025, the couple discovers a modern world entirely foreign to them. For Hélène, who has always lived in the shadow of her husband, it’s a revolution. But for Michel, whose male privileges are rapidly collapsing, it’s a catastrophe.
Distributed in Canada by TVA Films, C’était mieux demain will be released in 2026.
By Antony Cordier
By Laurent Lafitte, Élodie Bouchez, Laure Calamy et Ramzy Bedia
Prix du Meilleur Second Rôle pour Sami Outalbali
Prix du Public au Festival de Vannes
Mehdi had planned a quiet summer at his in-laws’ luxurious country home. But as soon as he arrives, conflict breaks out between his fiancée’s family and the villa’s caretakers. Coming from a modest background himself, Mehdi believes he can mediate and bring everyone together. But things quickly spiral out of control…
Distributed in Canada by Axia Films, Classe moyenne will be released in the coming months.
By Hugo David & Raphaël Quenard
By Hugo David, Raphaël Quenard, Anaïde Rozam & José Garcia
Cannes Classics, Festival de Cannes 2025
In a frantic race for success, an eccentric actor abandons his closest allies. Alone with himself, a troubling vision shakes him. Destination: Peru, for a spiritual journey.
De Stéphane E. Roy
Avec Rémy Girard, France Castel et Alexis Comte
Festival du cinéma international en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Xavier, c’est « le mouton noir » de la famille, qui revient chez ses proches pour le réveillon de Noël. Alors qu’il nourrit une aversion pour les retrouvailles familiales, il vit une histoire pleine de promesses avec Ariane. Tiraillé entre rancoeurs anciennes et désirs d’apaisement, Xavier évolue et se révèle au fil de la soirée. Avec Valentine, une amie aussi excentrique que loyale, il fait face à des confrontations douloureuses mais aussi des moments de tendresse inattendus. Soutenu par une distribution marquante – Rémy Girard, France Castel, Alexis Comte ce film signé Stéphane E. Roy explore les affres de la dynamique familiale, ses tensions et ses petits miracles. Jusqu’à l’acceptation progressive de Xavier pour qui il est vraiment.
By Alice Vial - Presented as part of the Crave Gala
By Jonathan Cohen, Magalie Lépine Blondeau, Florence Janas & Jean-Christophe Foll.
Elsa, a doctor, hides from the world that she sees the dead — and helps them “cross over.” Convinced her gift causes rejection, she has given up on love and immersed herself in solitude and work. Until one day, she meets Oscar… a dead man who doesn’t know he’s dead.
Distributed in Canada by Immina Films, L’Âme idéale will be released in Quebec in the coming months.
By Mourad Winter
By Hakim Jemili, Laura Felpin et Benjamin Tranié
Festival international du film de comédie de l'Alpe d'Huez, Mention spéciale du jury.
Diagnosed as “hopeless with women” from an early age, Anis lives a passionless life. Three years to the day after losing Isma, his best friend and mentor, he finally works up the courage to go out and meet someone new. When he approaches Madeleine, he has no idea he’s about to embark on a wild adventure — something unexpected, something called “love.”
By Pierre Mazingarbe
By Louise Bourgoin, Muriel Robin, Florence Loiret Caille & Gustave Kervern
Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême 2025
Louise de Pileggi, a brilliant deputy prosecutor, has had a complicated relationship with her mother Judith, whom she hasn’t seen in 15 years. When she’s reassigned to a small court where Judith works as a clerk, Louise becomes her mother’s boss. Worse yet — they must work together on a case that seems mundane at first, but will soon push both women to the edge.
By Claude Zidi Jr (Out of competition)
By Kev Adams, Brahim Bouhlel et Marie Parisot
Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême 2025
June 1944. Europe is torn by war, and the D-Day invasion is imminent. Denis Porte dutifully continues his job on a fake British military base — moving cardboard soldiers to fool the enemy. In the Porte family, men tend to die heroes for France. So his mother forbids him from taking any real risks. Running a fake base? That’s fine.
But after a drunken night with Sami, an Algerian doctor dreaming of meeting De Gaulle, they decide to join the fight — except they’ve got the wrong date and wrong place… and one of them is really not keen on danger. D-Day… or something close to it.
Distributed in Canada by Juste pour rire, Le Jour J will be released this fall.
By Fabienne Godet
By Salif Cissé, Denis Podalydès, Aure Atika et Clara Bretheau
Festival international du film de comédie de l'Alpe d'Huez, Prix du public en 2025
Festival international du film de comédie de Mons
Festival du film francophone d'Angoulême
Baptiste, a gifted impressionist, struggles to make a living. One day, he’s approached by Pierre Chozène, a famous but reclusive novelist, constantly disturbed by calls from his editor, daughter, and ex-wife. Desperate for quiet to write his most ambitious work, Pierre asks Baptiste to become his “voicemail” — pretending to be him on the phone… But soon, Baptiste doesn’t just mimic the author — he becomes the character.
Distributed in Canada by TVA Films, Le répondeur will hit theatres on November 28, 2025.
De Lise Akoka et Romane Gueret
Avec Fanta Kebe, Shirel Nataf et Amel Bent
Loin des tours de la Place des Fêtes où elles ont grandi, Shaï et Djeneba, 19 ans, amies d’enfance, deviennent animatrices dans une colonie de vacances. Entourées d’une bande d’enfants aussi drôles que lucides, elles découvrent un quotidien fait de rires, de responsabilités nouvelles et de confidences qui les rapprochent de l’âge adulte. Après Les Pires, qui avait notamment révélé Mallory Wanecque (L’Amour Ouf), le duo Lise Akoka et Romane Gueret poursuit son exploration sensible de l’enfance et de l’amitié. Une comédie sociale vibrante et solaire, tendre et généreuse, qui n’est pas sans rappeler l’insouciance de Nos jours heureux ; véritable bouffée d’oxygène.
By Jérôme Commandeur
By Laurent Lafitte, François Damiens et Vanessa Paradis
Following the death of a former classmate, four high school friends decide — 30 years after graduation — to throw a reunion party for their entire class, just like old times.
Earlier this year, the Festival announced that the 31st edition will open on November 4 with ON SERA HEUREUX by Léa Pool. On November 10, the Gala Evening will present the Quebec premiere of OÙ VONT LES ÂMES by Brigitte Poupart.
The CINEMANIA Film Festival will take place in Montreal from November 4 to 16, 2025.
Stay tuned — the full program will be revealed on Tuesday, October 21!