At the end of each summer, the Knowlton Film Festival celebrates cinema from near and far by welcoming over thirty guests: filmmakers, artists, and professionals from the world of cinema present their films, host masterclasses, and take part in special events and traveling screenings. Whether in the beautiful Théâtre de Lac-Brome, in the village’s cafés, restaurants, and bars, under the stars or by the lake, the entire town of Knowlton comes alive and gathers to celebrate the art of film.

On Thursday, August 21 in the evening, Set Me Free (Emporte-moi) will be screened with the exceptional presence of Karine Vanasse and Pascale Bussières. Twenty-six years after its release, the two actresses reunite with the director to look back on a landmark film in Quebec cinema and their luminous encounter at the very start of their careers. A must-see event!Earlier that afternoon, Léa Pool will introduce Mommy Is at the Hairdresser’s (Maman est chez le coiffeur), followed by a discussion with the director, guest moderator, and the audience.

Finally, on Saturday, August 23 in the afternoon, Hotel Silence (Hôtel Silence) will be screened in the presence of Sébastien Ricard. Three screenings to discover or rediscover an essential filmmaker — and a rare opportunity to share these moments with those who brought them to life on screen.

Thanks to a partnership with the Vues du Québec Festival in Florac, this year the Knowlton Film Festival opens a window onto the cinema of Occitanie — a territory that brings together the regions of Languedoc, Roussillon, and the Cévennes. The Festival will welcome a delegation of filmmakers, artisans, and cinema professionals from the region.Among the works presented: Les Inconnus de la terre (1961) by Mario Ruspoli — a landmark film of cinéma vérité, shot in the Cévennes, with cinematography by Michel Brault — a few years before Pour la suite du monde (1963).