KAIROS, Jennifer Alleyn

“For its gentle and slow proposal, where all imperfections are welcome just like those of the main character, in a cold and nocturnal Montreal where it is good to take refuge in the confidence where the love of cinema is everywhere – from Wim Wenders to André Forcier via Paule Baillargeon. Here is a unique film which presents itself as an invitation to take the time to listen to others, when words are more important than what we see where philosophy and literature become remedies for suffering. We are pleased to present the award for best fiction feature film to Kairos by Jennifer Alleyn. »

Francis Leclerc (president), director.

MENTION

DEATH DOES NOT EXIST, Félix Dufour-Laperrière

“The jury’s special mention goes to Félix Dufour-Laperrière for Death Doesn’t Exist, a film which deserves a place in a category of its own. Sensitive, daring and deeply poetic, the film takes the time to make us think. Through the richness of his colors, the strength of his text, his imagination and the naturalness of his performers, the filmmaker manages to put into images the contradictions that inhabit us in the face of this world that challenges us. »

Élyzabeth Walling, member of the fiction jury, actress and director of Correspondances d’Eastman.

Jury – Fiction: Francis Leclerc (president), director; Élyzabeth Walling, actress, producer and director of Correspondances d’Eastman; Claude Chamberlan, co-founder of the Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal; François Péloquin, director and screenwriter; Pascale Paoutyz, president of the cultural association La Nouvelle Dimension in Florac.

REPLICA, Chouwa Liang

“For the immense sensitivity with which she films her protagonists, searching for their way in a society torn between a millennial past and flashy modernity. For his non-judgmental look at a destabilizing reality, and at a universal need: that of loving and being loved. The documentary jury unanimously decided to award the prize to an emerging, singular and feminist filmmaker: Chouwa Liang, for her film REPLICA. »

Diane Magnoux (president), programming director of the CINEMANIA festival.

Jury – Documentary: Diane Magnoux (president), programming director of CINEMANIA; Steve Patry, director and producer; Nicole Giguère, director and producer; Thomas Corriveau, artist, animation filmmaker and teacher; Sylvie Van Brabant, director and producer.

IN THE FOREST, Pascale Ferland

1^st PRIZE – UNE BRÈCHE, Jean-François Leblanc

“For an impeccable production which keeps us in suspense from start to finish, for the quality of the performance of its main performer and for the scriptural effectiveness of the story which engages us emotionally. »

Rémi Fréchette (president), director and screenwriter.

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2^nd PRIZE – THE SAME EYES AS YOU, Derek Branscombe and Anne Plamondon

“For the authentic and sincere content-form alliance, its poetic narrative which serves the story, its intimate and human tone, and a film which succeeds in its risky bet. »

Étienne Galloy, member of the short film jury, director and screenwriter.

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MENTION – JAZZ INFERNAL, Wil Niava

“For the amazing cinematography, for the rhythm and tightness of editing, for the creation of a unique world. »

Steve MacQueen, member of the short film jury, general director of VTIFF.

REGIONAL AWARD – WE WITHOUT YOU, Clara Prévost

“For a moving story, with a mastery of acting direction, and the finesse of the proposal. »

Christine Doyon, member of the short film jury, director and screenwriter.

PUBLIC AWARD – PICHENOTTE, Antoine Boulanger

Jury – Short film: Rémi Fréchette (president), director and screenwriter; Christine Doyon, producer, screenwriter and director; Rachel Graton, actress, author and director; Étienne Galloy, director and screenwriter; Steve MacQueen, executive director of the Vermont International Film Festival (VTIFF).

Best Feature Film :
The Last Supper — Directed by Maryse Legagneur

“The Jury has decided to award the Best Fiction Feature Film Prize to a work that is essential to the memory of the Haitian people. A successful debut feature that encourages the liberation of speech while celebrating Haiti’s culinary traditions. Congratulations to Maryse Legagneur on her first feature film, The Last Supper.”

— Jury: Guillaume Sapin (President), Charles Binamé, Raymond St-Jean, Rebecca Jean, Élise Labbé

Best Feature Documentary:
Mr. Nobody Against Putin directed by David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin.

“At a time when spaces for critical voices are shrinking, this film reminds us of one of documentary cinema’s great strengths: giving voice to those whom others seek to silence.

By shedding light on the mechanisms of propaganda within an opaque system, and by following a protagonist who turns his camera into a tool of dissent within a school — a space that should remain free — the film reveals the power of the State over its people.

For the courage of its protagonist, and for its ability to wield the camera with humor, irony, and humanity, the documentary feature jury of the 2025 Knowlton Film Festival is proud to honor Mr. Nobody Against Putin.“

– Jury :  Denys Desjardins (president),  Dr Zoe Constantinides , Dr Gregory Brophy, Anik Salas et  Isabelle Phaneuf-Cyr

Lyne Lapointe: L’art et la matière — Directed by Carmen Garcia & Germán Gutiérrez

First Jury Prize:

My memory walls, directed by Axel Robin

“We had a real crush on a film with a distinct voice, where the quality of the bond woven with the protagonist truly shines. The aesthetics serve an emotionally powerful message, and the film forms a harmonious whole. Our jury proudly awards the Grand Prize to Mes Murs-Mémoires by Axel Robin.”

Second Jury Prize :

Le Punk de Natashquan, directed by Nicolas Lachapelle

“For its intriguing and humorous investigative film about an unresolved case, skillfully revisiting an urban legend through the memories and gossip of a community as endearing as the mysterious missing punk himself, the award goes to: Le Punk de Natashquan.”

Best regional film :

Marqueur de temps, directed by Marie-Lou Béland

“For its moving and sensitive perspective on a reality still largely unknown to the general public, the jury awards Marqueur de temps, a beautiful film made with great humanity.”

— Jury: Mike Perreault (President), Mélanie Clériot, Édith Jorisch, Colin Nixon, and Alex Pronovost

Special Mention

I Am 18 (the War), directed by Romane Pilote-Lamontagne

Audience Award :
Tout ce qui gronde, directed by Ève St-Louis

Best Feature Film :
Les Rayons Gamma by Henry Bernadet (director) and Isabelle Brouillette (co-writer)

“For the subtlety of his writing, which finely blends humor and emotion while avoiding any melodramatic deviations; for the remarkable performances of a cast made up entirely of young non-professional actors; for the sensitivity of the humanist view this filmmaker takes of an under-represented community; and for the obvious tenderness he has managed to evoke in us towards all his characters, the jury awards the Best Film prize to Henry Bernadet for Les Rayons gamma.”

Special mention:
David Öllerer – aka Voodoo Jürgens for his role in Rickerl by Adrian Goiginger

“David Öllerer alias Voodoo Jürgens is perfectly named. In RICKERL he casts a spell on audiences in his role as a 40 something ne’er-do-well singer-songwriter struggling to jumpstart his music career and be a loving father to his six-year-old son. Öllerer is magical as a charming Viennese troubadour whose songs are full of heart, but who can’t quite stop from self-sabotaging. Cinematic history is full of movies about rock ’n’ roll dreams dashed or realized. But this story feels more grounded, thanks to Öllerer’s performance. He captures the essence of his lovable rogue character in wry and unsentimental fashion. Erich “Rickerl” Bohacek is often aggravating, but he is also determined to be a better father than the self-centered man who raised him. And that may just be enough. A musician in real life, his acting debut is a revelation and for this the Knowlton Film Festival jury awards David Öllerer with a special mention. “ – Claudia Puig

*Jury members: Claudia Puig (Director of Programming, Santa Barbara International Film Festival), Charles Parisé (Programmer), Kevin T. Landry (Director), Pier-Philippe Chevigny (Director) and Barbara Shrier (Producer).

Best Feature Documentary:
Joan Baez, I am a noise by Miri Navasky, Maeve O’Boyle & Karen O’Connor

“For presenting us, with all her strengths and frailties, this essential artist of the twentieth century. For sharing her epic and essential struggles. For harmoniously integrating the social, cultural and artistic movements of the counterculture of all those years, we award the 2024 Documentary Grand Prize to Miri Navasky, Maeve O’Boyle and Karen O’Connor for their film JOAN BAEZ I AM A NOISE.

Special mention 1:
After Work by Erik Gandini

Special Mention 2:
Any Other Way: Jackie Shane by Michael Mabbott & Lucah Rosenberg-Lee

*Jury members: Pierre-Philippe Côté, (general manager BEAM) (president), Éric Michel ( producer), Carrie Haber (producer), Yves Langlois (director), Katerine Giguère, (director)

La fonte des glaces by François Péloquin (director) and Sarah Lévesque (screenwriter)

First Jury Prize:
Un trou dans la poitrine by Alexandra Myotte and Jean-Sébastien Hamel

Second Jury Prize :
Madeleine by Raquel Sancinetti

Best regional film :
Someone’s trying to get in by Colin Nixon

Audience Award :
Madeleine by Raquel Sancinetti

*Jury members: Ariane Roy-Poirier (general manager of the Festival Plein Écran), (president), Joe Cultrera (founder of the Salem Film Festival), Thomas Corriveau (director), Isabelle Brouillette (actress, screenwriter and producer), Sarah Lévesque (screenwriter).