The Knowlton Film Festival is above all a warm and welcoming gathering place for the public and cinema artisans — directors, screenwriters, actors — invited to present their work and engage with festival-goers.

Discussions, masterclasses, and Q&A sessions hosted by national and international guests punctuate the screenings and offer both creators and audiences the opportunity for meaningful exchange.

Each year, the Festival shines a spotlight on a renowned filmmaker from the region, invited to present three of their films and offer a personal perspective on their work.

Short and Feature Film Competition (Claire Léger Awards)

Since 2022, the Festival has introduced a competitive section dedicated to short films. A selection of around fifteen films competes for the Claire Léger Awards, with a total prize value of $3,500.

Since 2023, two additional cash prizes of $2,000 have been awarded — one for fiction, one for documentary — presented by juries composed of industry professionals from here and abroad.

All films in competition are screened at the Théâtre de Lac-Brome, a 161-seat venue fully equipped for digital projection.

A Window onto Independent and Auteur Cinema from Here and Abroad

While dedicating most of its screenings to the year’s Quebec and Canadian productions, the Festival also opens its programming to a selection of international films — in Canadian or Quebec premieres, or rarely shown in the country.

This international focus is also reflected in the Festival’s desire to promote local works beyond borders.

For the past three editions, international programmers have stayed in Knowlton and been invited to discover Quebec and Canadian films presented at the Festival.

After welcoming Orly Yadin, director of the Vermont International Film Festival, and participating in the Santa Barbara Film Festival, Joe Cultrera, founder of the Salem Film Festival, this year the Festival will welcome Guillaume Sapin, director of Vues du Québec in Florac (Occitanie), as part of a cultural exchange project with the Eastern Townships region.

A Summer Festival Outdoors and at the Heart of its Community

Held at the end of summer, in the enchanting setting of Lac-Brome — one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec — the Festival invites cinephiles to experience cinema differently, through its itinerant and friendly programming: outdoor screenings on the grass and under the stars, but also in cafés, art galleries, bars, parks, and on the region’s beaches.

Special events — live music evenings, summer “off” screenings — also animate the region throughout the summer.

Committed to promoting cinema within its community, the Knowlton Film Festival also develops an educational component in collaboration with the Lac-Brome day camp and the Sutton Art School, producing events and films in partnership with local artistic groups, including the Knowlton Players Theatre troupe and the Sherbrooke Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Driven by a passionate community and committed cultural and business partners, the Knowlton Film Festival continues to grow and expand its influence throughout the region… and a little beyond!