We present you the complete program of films that will make up the 28th edition of RIDM. From November 20 to December 1, no fewer than 136 documentary films from diverse horizons and a host of activities will be on offer. In addition to six competitions, there will be world, Canadian and Quebec premieres, discussions with filmmakers, great festive moments and much more.
＞ Click here to see the full program!
International Feature Competition
The International Feature Film Competition comprises 10 emerging works that tap into the many possibilities of documentary cinema.
National Feature Competition
The six films in the National Feature Competition highlight the bold approaches of Quebec and Canadian filmmakers. Beside, screened before each film of the National Feature Competition, the audience will discover a short film by Wapikoni.
New Visions Competition
Eight films make up the New Visions competition, devoted to daring international and national first features.
Magnus Isacsson Competition
In honour of the beloved Montreal documentary filmmaker, this competition brings together national films with a strong social conscience.
International Short and Medium-Length Competition
This year’s International Short and Medium-Length Competition features 14 films.
National Short and Medium-Length Competition
14 films make up the National Short and Medium-Length competition.
Essentials
The Essentials section brings together four new works from must-see filmmakers as well as the most in-demand films of the festival year.
Against the Grain
The six films in the Against the Grain section represent bold works that challenge our perception of the world and cinema.
Horizons
The five films in this section offer unique journeys and universal stories: humanity up close.
Special Screenings
Divided in seven parts, While the Green Grass Grows: A Diary in Seven Parts de Peter Mettler (Suisse/Canada) is an ode to life and a touching tribute to his parents, this sensory, poetic, and human experience will be offered to the public in its entirety (7 parts, 420 minutes) and in two separate screenings.
RIDM x REGARD night offers to the audience five documentaries with diverse artistic approaches, all linked by the theme of family, will be screened free of charge in a warm and festive atmosphere reminiscent of Chicoutimi. This program, curated jointly by the teams at RIDM and REGARD, highlights the power and richness of short documentary films.
PROGRAMMES SPÉCIAUX
Focus Taiwan: Beyond the Frame
The Territorial Focus returns to RIDM, with the aim of encouraging intercultural dialogue by shining a spotlight on a region of the world and its films. This year, through this dedicated framework, the festival invites audiences to look past the surface of the image and to engage with the ideas, histories, and lived realities that shape Taiwanese cinema today. Presented in collaboration with the Taiwan International Documentary Festival (TIDF) and Taiwan Docs, the program is made up of five feature length films, six experimental short films, and an audiovisual performance.
Louise Bourque Retrospective: Reality Unfolded in the Echoes of Memory
Louise Bourque is a pioneer of experimental cinema who has developed a highly personal approach, which she deploys in a sensory visual and auditory poetry that embodies a rare interiority. She revisits archival material with renewed aesthetic vigour and, through complex artisanal craftsmanship, truly sculpting the filmic material. By adapting her artistic gestures and techniques to the nature of each project, she explores memory, nostalgia, trauma and identity, presenting ingenious reflections. Co-presented by Tënk, which will broadcast a segment of the artist's work on its platform, this retrospective will also include a conference with Louise Bourque and a performance entitled Words, Words, Words.
O Grivio Retrospective: Crafting Sonic Landscapes
This retrospective showcases the sound composition work of the Brazilian group O Grivo, made up of musicians and luthiers Nelson Soares and Marcos Moreira. The program includes five films, a live performance and a film lesson.
Unframing Documentary: Diverse perspectives on different storytelling practices
This special program showcases documentary formats that employ diverse narrative practices beyond the realm of cinema. This year's program includes audiovisual performances, listening sessions, podcasts, panels and immersive works.
Carte Blanche : documentary + musical performance
Afin de mettre en relation différentes pratiques artistiques, Télé-Québec présente une nouvelle initiative où deux figures de la scène musicale montréalaise sont invitées à organiser une soirée à leur image. Le duo Bibi Club et l’artiste multidisciplinaire Annie-Claude Deschênes, qui se produira avec son groupe PyPy, proposeront un documentaire en résonance avec leur univers créatif, suivi d’une performance musicale en lien avec l'œuvre projetée.
Uxdoc : when documentary meets new technology
Back this year is the UXdoc section, where documentary meets new technologies to reinvent the art of storytelling. In partnership with the Consulat général de France à Québec, with the support of L’Institut français and the collaboration of PHI and MUTEK as part of Novembre Numérique.
Talks
Découvrez nos discussions et leçons de cinéma avec les cinéastes, conçues autour des œuvres de la programmation, du focus territorial et des deux rétrospectives.
Emerging Talent Day
For the second consecutive year, RIDM is devoting a full day to emerging filmmakers. This initiative aims to introduce the latter to the workings of the documentary industry, helping to bridge the gap between the end of their studies and their entry into the professional market.
Family Screenings
RIDM is pleased to invite the young and young at heart to Sunday morning screenings for the whole family, with the aim of introducing budding filmmakers to documentary-inspired cinema.
Late Nights
Throughout the festival, RIDM’s Headquarters will come alive thanks to free concerts and DJ performances
The awards ceremony will be held at the Cinémathèque québécoise’s Salle Norman-McLaren on November 29 at 5 p.m., during which 13 prizes will be handed out to the winning films of the 2025 selection.
＞ Click here to see the full program!
PRICES - PASSPORTS AND TICKETS
RIDM Passport: $145 (Students and 65+ = $120)
Individual ticket: $14.50 (Students and 65+ = $12,50)
Opening screening: $16
Family activity ticket: $12.50
6-ticket package: $70
The 28th edition of RIDM will take place from November 20 to 30, 2025 at the Cinémathèque québécoise, Cineplex Odéon Quartier Latin, Cinéma du Musée, Cinéma du Parc, Cinéma Public, BAnQ, the Centre Pierre-Péladeau, the Salle d’exposition at Place des Arts, and Monument-National.