Unveiling of the 30th Edition
Published on 23/10/2024
UNVEILING CONFERENCE PHOTOS
Montreal, October 23, 2024 – The CINEMANIA Francophone Film Festival is thrilled to unveil the program for its 30th edition, which will take place in Montreal from November 6 to 17. For this anniversary edition, CINEMANIA will showcase 120 films, including numerous international, North American, Canadian, or Quebec premieres, selected from the best of this year’s Francophone cinema. Over 12 days, Francophone cinema — short, medium, and feature-length films — will be celebrated at Cinéma Cineplex Odeon Quartier Latin, Cinéma du Musée, Cinéma du Parc, Monument-National, Cinémathèque Québécoise, and Cinéma Moderne.
Léa Clermont Dion - LA PEUR AU VENTRE
Noémie Dansereau-Lavoie - French Language Commissioner for the City of Montreal
Caroline Bergoin, Stevens Dorcelus, and Marie-Claude Fournier - Team of the film L'ATHLÈTE
Samuel Cantin and Jean-François Leblanc - VIL ET MISÉRABLE
Félix-Antoine Duval - BERGERS
Guilhem Caillard - General and Artistic Director of CINEMANIA
Diane Magnoux - Director of Programming
Sandrine de Montplaisir - CINEMANIA Board Member, and Guilhem Caillard - Executive Director
Find all the photos from the press conference
Opening and Closing Films
Sophie Deraspe's sixth feature film, BERGERS, will open the festival on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:15 p.m. at the Monument-National. Co-produced by micro_scope and Avenue B Productions, the film follows Mathyas, an advertising executive turned shepherd in Provence, and stars Félix-Antoine Duval, Solène Rigot, and Guilaine Londez. The screening will be followed by an opening night event at the Studio-Théâtre des Grands Ballets Canadiens. BERGERS, distributed by Maison 4:3, will be released in Quebec on November 15.
On Sunday, November 16, LE ROMAN DE JIM by the Larrieu brothers will close the festival. Adapted from Pierric Bailly's novel, the film stars Karim Leklou, Laetitia Dosch, and Sara Giraudeau. Distributed by K-Films Amérique, it will premiere in Quebec on November 22.
30th Edition Gala of CINEMANIA
MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR North American Premiere
CINEMANIA will celebrate its 30th edition with a gala evening presented by Humaniti Montréal, the festival's new hotel partner, featuring the North American premiere of MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR on Saturday, November 9. This biopic, co-directed by Mehdi Idir and Grand Corps Malade, explores the rise of singer Charles Aznavour in the 1950s, before he became the world’s most celebrated Francophone artist. The directors will be joined by actor Tahar Rahim, as well as producers Jean-Rachid Kallouche and Katia Aznavour, Charles Aznavour's daughter. A discussion with the guests, hosted by Monique Giroux (President of ÉCHO SONORE - Maison de la chanson et de la musique), will follow the second public screening of the film on Sunday, November 10, focusing on the project's origins and the iconic figure of the legendary singer.
MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR is distributed in Canada by Sphère Films and will premiere in Quebec on November 29.
Crave Gala
Vil & misérable
Adapted from Samuel Cantin's graphic novel, VIL ET MISÉRABLE by Jean-François Leblanc, starring Pier-Luc Funk, Fabien Cloutier, and Anne-Elisabeth Bossé, will have its North American premiere with the film’s team in attendance. This offbeat, grotesque, and wonderfully sharp adventure follows Lucien, a morose and misanthropic demon who has roamed the earth for 350 years, as he takes refuge in a bookstore alongside an exceptionally enthusiastic human, Daniel.
This gala evening is presented by Crave.
VIL ET MISÉRABLE is distributed in Quebec by Entract Films and will hit theaters in the coming months.
Numerous Films Accompanied by International Guests
Over the years, the festival has established itself as a must-attend event for audiences eager to discover premieres presented by renowned guests. This year, audiences will have the chance to meet an exceptional lineup of guests who will travel to Montreal to engage with them. Director Patricia Mazuy will accompany her film LA PRISONNIÈRE DE BORDEAUX; Cyrielle Raingou will present LE SPECTRE DE BOKO HARAM, which won the Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2023; Julie Delpy will present her latest film, LES BARBARES; and Julie Gayet will attend the international premiere of OLYMPE, UNE FEMME DANS LA RÉVOLUTION. Florent Bernard will also be present for his debut film NOUS, LES LEROY, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg. Finally, Franck Dubosc will present his third film as a director, UN OURS DANS LE JURA.
Quebec Films in Competition
8 feature films produced or co-produced in Quebec will be showcased in the Films du Québec competition. Both the audience and the jury will have the opportunity to discover: VIL ET MISÉRABLE by Jean-François Leblanc, premiering worldwide; COMME LE FEU by Philippe Lesage, awarded at Berlinale 2024; FOYERS, the debut feature by Zachary Ayotte, exploring an orphan’s deep yearning for love and identity; HABITER LA MAISON by Renée Beaulieu (known for Les Salopes ou le Sucre naturel de la peau), a film starring François Papineau and Rose-Marie Perreault that delves into themes of family bonds and legacy; LA CARTOMANCIE DU TERRITOIRE by Philippe Ducros, based on various testimonies questioning our relationship with Indigenous reserves, natural areas, and the colonization of land and thought. Also included is Sophie Deraspe’s latest film (Antigone), BERGERS, LA FEMME CACHÉE, the second film by Bachir Bensaddek (Montréal la blanche), starring Nailia Harzoune and Antoine Bertrand. Rounding out the competition is UNE JEUNESSE FRANÇAISE, presented by Jérémie Battaglia, a gripping documentary on integration and assimilation set in the Camargue, featuring young protagonists Jawad Bakloul and Belkacem Benhammou.
The jury for this section will be chaired by Laurence Herszberg, CEO of the Séries Mania Festival in Lille, France, and former Director General of the Forum des Images in Paris. She will be joined by Kerem Ayan, director of the Istanbul Film Festival in Turkey; Marianne Bédé, CEO of Canal+ International Canada; Jacques K. Primeau, artist manager and former CEO of Spectra in Montreal; Guillaume Sapin, Artistic Director of Vues du Québec in Florac and distributor of Quebec films in France; and Roxanne Sayegh, CEO of Cinémas Beaubien, du Parc, and du Musée. The jury will award the Air Canada Rayonnement Prize, the ARRQ Best Direction Prize, and the Post-Moderne Jury Prize.
Documentaries in Competition
For CINEMANIA’s competitive section dedicated to Francophone documentaries, the jury awarding the Planète + Best Documentary Prize is composed of five young professionals from the Cannes Film Festival's We Build Change 2024 cohort. Eligible titles include UNE JEUNESSE FRANÇAISE by Jérémie Battaglia, the opening film of this category in its Quebec premiere; AVERROÈS & ROSA PARKS by Nicolas Philibert; D’ABDUL À LEILA by Leila Albayaty, who will present the film in person; and LA PASSION SELON BÉATRICE by Fabrice Du Welz, with Béatrice Dalle attending.
Other notable entries include LA PEUR AU VENTRE by Léa Clermont-Dion, offering a rare look into feminist and pro-choice activism; Clermont-Dion will not only present her film but also serve on the Quebec competition jury “Films du Québec” at CINEMANIA. Additional films include LE COEUR QUI BAT by Vincent Delerm, MADAME HOFMANN by Sébastien Lifshitz, and LE GARÇON, a family investigation that blurs reality and fiction, co-directed by French actress and filmmaker Zabou Breitman and Florent Vassault. Rounding out the selection are RIVERBOOM, a tragicomic documentary by Claude Baechtold, RUE DU CONSERVATOIRE by actress and director Valérie Donzelli, and SPECTATEURS! by Arnaud Desplechin, which premiered in a Special Screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
A Prestigious Jury for the Official Competition "Faces of the Francophonie"
The “Faces of the Francophonie” Competition showcases today’s Francophone film production. This year, the jury will once again be co-chaired by a Franco-Quebecois duo: French actress, director, and producer Julie Gayet, and Quebec actress Julie Le Breton. To judge the films in competition, they will be joined by French actor Victor Belmondo, Quebec actress Caroline Dhavernas, French artist manager and producer Thierry Suc, Quebec filmmaker and author Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette, Quebec filmmaker and author Francis Leclerc, and Christophe Tardieu, Secretary General of the France Télévisions group.
Five awards will be presented at the closing ceremony on Saturday, November 16: the TV5 Québec-Canada Award for Best Film, awarded to the best film in the competition; the Marc-André Lussier Jury Prize, awarded by La Presse to the jury's favorite film; the Sofitel Montreal Award for Best Male and Female Performance, recognizing outstanding performances; the SACD Award for Best Screenplay; and the Colombier-Dompierre Award for Best Music, presented by ÉCHO SONORE in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Quebec.
Among the titles selected for the “Faces of the Francophonie” competition are: AÏCHA by Mehdi M. Barsaoui, JOUER AVEC LE FEU by Delphine and Muriel Coulin, LA PAMPA by Antoine Chevrollier, LES FANTÔMES by Jonathan Millet, LEURS ENFANTS APRÈS EUX by Zoran and Ludovic Boukherma, L’HISTOIRE DE SOULEYMANE by Boris Lojkine, MARIA by Jessica Palud, NIKI by Céline Sallette, UNE PART MANQUANTE by Guillaume Senez, and VINGT DIEUX by Louise Courvoisier.
A Diverse Short Film Competition
CINEMANIA will also present 26 short films, including 13 Quebec productions (2 of which are out of competition). For the occasion, the festival will host La Grande soirée du Court Québécois on Tuesday, November 5, at the Studio-Cabaret of Espace Saint-Denis, and La Grande soirée du Court International at the Cinémathèque Québécoise on Wednesday, November 13.
At the end of the festival, the jury — comprised of director and screenwriter Chloé Robichaud, actor and singer Lennikim, and director and writer Léa Clermont-Dion — will award three prizes: the Télé-Québec Award for Best Quebec Short Film, the Best International Short Film Award, and the Canadian Francophonie Award, supported by the Government of Quebec (Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes).
This competition will also welcome a host of international guests, including Alma Jodorowsky, Chloé Jouannet, Raphaël Jouzeau, and Arnaud Dufeys.
France in the Spotlight !
CINEMANIA traditionally celebrates a Francophone country, and for its 30th anniversary, France—the birthplace of cinema where the Lumière brothers premiered the first film in 1895—takes center stage as this year’s exceptional guest. French short, medium, and feature films will be accompanied by numerous special guests, and a variety of events will create a captivating cinematic journey. An urban exhibition, Heritage on Display: National Monuments in Cinema, will transform Montreal's Latin Quarter into a cinematic setting.
CINEMANIA also presents a “Focus on New Corsican Cinema,” showcasing three films by Corsican directors screened at prestigious festivals such as Cannes and Venice: À SON IMAGE by Thierry de Peretti, featured in the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes, with lead actress Clara-Maria Laredo in attendance; LE MOHICAN, screened at the Venice Film Festival, with director Frédéric Farrucci in attendance; and LE ROYAUME, selected for the Cannes Festival, with director Julien Colonna in attendance.
Four films will be screened at the Cinémathèque Québécoise as part of the CMN (Centre des Monuments Nationaux) Cycle on Iconic Historical Female Figures: OLYMPE, UNE FEMME DANS LA RÉVOLUTION with director Julie Gayet present; LA REINE MARGOT by Patrice Chéreau; LA PRINCESSE DE MONTPENSIER by Bertrand Tavernier; and JEANNE DU BARRY by Maïwenn, followed by a conference at the Cinémathèque Québécoise on November 9.
Paul Rondin, Director of the Cité Internationale de la langue française, will also join a conference with three Francophone representatives from Quebec following the North American premiere of SARAH BERNHARDT, LA DIVINE by Guillaume Nicloux on November 8 to discuss the role and challenges of the French language.
The Grand Est Region will be highlighted for its exceptional support of film and audiovisual creation. Numerous films screened this year were shot in the region, including LES TROIS FANTASTIQUES by Michaël Ditcher, LANGUE ÉTRANGÈRE by Claire Burger, LES FANTÔMES by Jonathan Millet, and LEURS ENFANTS APRÈS EUX by Ludovic and Zoran Boukherma. Both of the latter films are part of the "Faces of the Francophonie" section and will be screened in the directors' presence. Raphaël Jouzeau will also accompany his short film LES BELLES CICATRICES, shot in the Grand Est region.
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region will also be celebrated. In partnership with the Brive Film Festival, CINEMANIA will present two medium-length films: MADAME RODIN OU L’ÂGE MÛR by Lana Cheramy, who will be in attendance, and SALUT LES ZINS! by Paul Nouhet, showcasing the region’s creative vitality and support for emerging formats like medium-length films.
To mark its 30th anniversary, CINEMANIA will launch for the first time the CINEMANIA VR space, dedicated to the creative exploration of virtual reality. Part of Novembre Numérique, this unique opportunity will feature six immersive works blending innovation, heritage, and contemporary narratives, allowing each spectator to dive into new worlds: NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS: A Journey into the Past, ARCHI VR: LA VILLA SAVOYE, OTO’S PLANET, MAMIE LOU, ITO MEIKYŪ, and RENCONTRES by Mathieu Pradat in its Canadian premiere. A focus on ADAMI (Society for the Administration of Performing Artists’ Rights) will complement the French program. Finally, for the first time, CINEMANIA collaborates with the SAT (Society for Arts and Technology) to present SENSITIVE ABSTRACTION by Yannick Moréteau and Flore, with two immersive performances on November 13 and 14.
CINEMANIA PRO
CINEMANIA PRO returns for its 3rd edition from November 13 to 16 at the Cinémathèque Québécoise, providing a platform for meetings, discussions, and reflections on global Francophone issues. This year’s delegation will include 46 international guests sharing their expertise, visions, and projects. Among them are 18 representatives from international festivals, including Hamburg, Brussels, Angoulême, Istanbul, Clermont-Ferrand, and Dakar—a remarkable showcase of the Francophone world.
CINEMANIA audiences and Quebec professionals are invited to reflect, debate, and exchange views on contemporary cinema through 14 activities. The program includes round tables, conferences, and masterclasses on topics such as new forms of expression in digital creation, the impact of emerging tools, challenges in distribution, and identity and cultural issues affecting Francophone creation. Sessions will also explore the dynamics of French-Quebec coproductions and the unique journey of SERIES MANIA, led by its director Laurence Herzberg. Additionally, there will be a special focus on Senegal through the work of Senegalese female creators, highlighting the unique journeys, challenges, and progress in the field. Six professionals from this major West African country will join CINEMANIA.
This year marks the return of the "Image of Canadian Francophonie" day, organized in collaboration with the APFC (Alliance of Francophone Producers of Canada) and supported by the Government of Quebec. After featuring Manitoba and the major Western regions, this year’s spotlight will be on Ontario, celebrated on November 8 at the NFB. Attendees can look forward to debates, conferences, screenings, and post-film discussions. CINEMANIA PRO also offers networking opportunities, with breakfasts, themed lunches, and cocktails (by invitation only).
Special Events and Presentations
- Discussion with Grand Corps Malade, Mehdi Idir, Tahar Rahim, and Katia Aznavour, hosted by journalist and presenter Monique Giroux. Following CINEMANIA’s 30th Anniversary Gala and the screening of MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR, a discussion with the film’s team will take place on Sunday, November 10, at 2:30 p.m. at Cineplex Quartier Latin.
- Discussion with Béatrice Dalle, hosted by Patrick Fabre, following the screening of LA PASSION SELON BÉATRICE by Fabrice Du Welz on Sunday, November 17, at Cinéma du Musée. The actress will also present MALDOROR, a Venice-selected thriller with historical tones, depicting a Belgium without the internet, smartphones, or continuous news. The screening of MALDOROR will be on Thursday, November 14, at Cineplex Odeon Quartier Latin, with Béatrice Dalle in attendance.
- Perspectives on Comedy in Cinema" with Ken Scott and Franck Dubosc. Hosted by Patrick Fabre, this annual event launched in 2023 with the Alpe d’Huez Festival explores the future of comedy. Ken Scott (Starbuck, Au revoir le bonheur) and Franck Dubosc (Camping, Tout le monde debout) will discuss their evolving approach to comedy, sharing insights on November 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cinémathèque Québécoise. Free event by registration.
- Meeting with French Actor Romain Duris, who will present UNE PART MANQUANTE by Guillaume Senez, hosted by Patrick Fabre, on November 15 at 4:00 p.m. at the Cinémathèque Québécoise.
- Screening of HORS D’HALEINE by Luxembourgish Director Éric Lamhène. This film about violence against women and support infrastructures will screen on Thursday, November 7, at Monument-National. Preceding the feature is the premiere of the short film JE T’AIME, JE CROIS by Félix Antoine Besnard. A discussion on domestic violence will follow, featuring director Lamhène, screenwriter Rae Lyn Lee, and Xuan Nguyen from La Maison du Réconfort, with additional guests.
- Screening of EN FANFARE by Emmanuel Courcol. Awarded at the San Sebastian Festival, EN FANFARE screens on November 9 at 4:15 p.m., followed by a concert by Swing Tonic Jazz Band.
- Screening of LE COEUR QUI BAT by Vincent Delerm. This documentary screens on November 13 at 7:00 p.m., preceded by the short film TRAJECTOIRE D’UN CORPS PERDU by Lévi Doré.
- Screening of QUAND VIENT L'AUTOMNE by François Ozon. Showing on November 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Cineplex Quartier Latin, the screening will be preceded by LE CINQUIÈME SILENCE, with director Nicolas Boualami present.
- Screening of IL ÉTAIT UNE FOIS MICHEL LEGRAND by David Hertzog Dessites. Delving into the final years of composer Michel Legrand, this documentary screens on November 10 at the Cinémathèque Québécoise, organized by ÉCHO SONORE and the Consulate General of France in Quebec. Hosted by Monique Giroux, the event includes a musical tribute by Quebec composer François Dompierre.
- Nicolas Philibert’s Mental Health Trilogy. Philibert’s poignant documentary triptych on mental health screens as a special event at Cinéma Moderne. LA MACHINE À ÉCRIRE ET AUTRES SOURCES DE TRACAS premieres in Canada on November 9 at 6:00 p.m., preceded by SUR L’ADAMANT and AVERROÈS & ROSA PARKS.