Montréal relaunches francophone cinema: Martinique and Wallonia at the centre of CINEMANIA 2026

The CINEMANIA festival returns to Montréal from 4 to 15 November 2026 for its 32nd edition, confirming itself as one of the most substantial events dedicated to French-language cinema outside France (Maudits Français). The 2026 programme includes 138 films and 16 series, a volume that places the Quebec event among the largest showcases of its kind internationally (ATUVU).

This year’s editorial choice focuses on broadening the geographical scope of the francophone world: alongside French productions, the festival highlights French-speaking Belgium and Martinique, shifting the spotlight away from Paris for once. The opening film, scheduled for 4 November at the Monument-National, is “Paradis”, a debut feature by director Jérémy Comte set in Ghana — a choice that confirms the intention to look beyond the usual boundaries of francophone cinema (Maudits Français).

The list of announced guests is extensive and includes names well known to international audiences: Jean Dujardin, Raphaël Quenard, Karin Viard, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Mathieu Amalric, Judith Godrèche, Sandrine Kiberlain, Nicole Garcia and Bérénice Bejo (ATUVU). On 10 November, a session dedicated to the history of cinema is scheduled: the Cannes Film Festival’s general delegate, Thierry Frémaux, will lead a session on the Lumière brothers and the origins of cinematic language (Maudits Français).

The closing event, on 14 November, is “De la Comédie-Française”, presented in the presence of actress and co-screenwriter Pauline Clément (ATUVU). Ten days that close out the North American autumn calendar dedicated to French-language cinema, with a programme that this year exceeds 150 works between films and series.