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.

As we look ahead to the 6th edition of the Festival, taking place from August 19 to 24, the FFKFF invites you to explore its OFF program all summer long. On the agenda: indoor and under-the-stars screenings, countryside dinners, and festive evenings in some of the Eastern Townships’ most beautiful settings. With a selection of films curated in collaboration with our regional partners, the Festival steps outside and into the open air — a taste of Knowlton’s big celebration of cinema coming this August!

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.

Come experience silent cinema during an exceptional cine-concert, presented in collaboration with the Sherbrooke Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Composition Department of the University of Sherbrooke. On Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 5 p.m., attend the screening of three short films by Georges Méliès and Segundo de Chomón—emblematic figures of early cinema—accompanied live by young musicians performing original compositions.

Each film will be introduced by a discussion between musicologist and pianist Nicholas Pynes and the student composers, offering insights into the creative process. An immersive experience that will captivate both film and music lovers.

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).