Thirteen wonderful thematic programs will punctuate this 29th edition. War Stories takes us inside the lives of people troubled by constant menace, hounded by traumatizing memories or even forced to fight. Le mal dominant explores mental health through “life savers” that allow the protagonists to maintain a certain balance; and Sorcelleries invites us on a captivating journey into intriguing worlds both visible and invisible.

Part retrospective and part master class, Dialogues avec Phillip Barker et Vincent René-Lortie promises plenty of fascinating discoveries and discussions. Preceded by Arts & Essai, for everyone who loves art and experimental films.

In a more festive vein, we’re celebrating the 15th anniversary of Kinomada, the biggest mobile creative laboratory dedicated to short films. Indulging our nostalgia for the legendary heyday of MusiquePlus, we’ll pretend to be old-school VJ’s with Playlist, in which a selection of music videos and clips from musical films will put Quebec’s music scene in the spotlight. Carte Blanche au Post P_orn Arts Fest takes a political and feminist look at contemporary sexuality, representation of the body, queer culture and sex work.

The Genre Films program is a victim of its own success: it has to be shown twice, for double the fun. Then there’s a little self-deprecation in store with the Dernières Mondiales, and we cannot wait to find out who will take the ULTIME Navet d’or award for this, the only program where films are rejected because they’re too good!

Finally, if you’re a cinephile stricken with FOMO or you simply don’t have the time to catch everything the first time around, keep your Sunday open because now you’ll get another chance to see all of the most impactful films in this year’s festival. In the afternoon, the winners of juried sections will be presented in two Palmarès sessions, while in the evening the Audience Favourites will close the festival. It’s the perfect moment to savour the festival’s final moments before saying au revoir!