{"id":57127,"date":"2026-01-08T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lepetitseptieme.ca\/?p=57127"},"modified":"2026-01-07T16:29:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T21:29:43","slug":"pleins-ecrans-2026-programming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lepetitseptieme.ca\/en\/2026\/01\/08\/pleins-ecrans-2026-programming\/","title":{"rendered":"Pleins \u00c9crans 2026 | Programming"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s) short film festival has just unveiled the full programming for its 10th edition, taking place from January 21 to 31, 2026. This anniversary edition will feature 39 films, 36 of which will be available for free online across Canada. The festival will also host a series of public events at the Cin\u00e9math\u00e8que qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise, Cin\u00e9ma Public, Salle Jean-Claude Lauzon (UQAM), Ausgang Plaza, and Turbo Ha\u00fcs. For the first time, the festival is moving away from Meta platforms, focusing instead on an increased theatrical presence with an expanded range of festive and community-driven activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this spirit, Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s) welcomes actress Anne-\u00c9lisabeth Boss\u00e9 as the spokesperson for the 2026 edition. She will participate in several festival events, including the screenplay reading, and will share her cinematic favorites in the first episode of a new podcast series giving a voice to filmmakers. Broadcast daily through a partnership with Les Copains du Son and the Caisse de la Culture Desjardins, this series, hosted by Alex Mendel, will also be filmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"AFFICHE<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Canadian cinephiles will be able to discover four works per day, available for 24 hours on the festival’s website. Selected by a committee consisting of Catherine Brunet (actress), Lex Garcia (screenwriter), and Marc-Antoine Lemire (filmmaker), under the direction of Ariane Roy-Poirier, General and Artistic Director of Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s), the 32 Quebec films in official competition are organized around four themes that define this year’s program. This selection highlights the best of short films, featuring works that are comforting, surprising, intense, and adorable\u2014designed to captivate all audiences, whatever their mood!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To kick off the festivities, Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s) will present the comforting Mes murs-m\u00e9moires<\/em> by Axel Robin, the surprising Chez Ghislaine<\/em> by Franie-\u00c9l\u00e9onore Bernier, the intense Mercenaire<\/em> by Pier-Philippe Chevigny, and the adorable Perfectly a Strangeness<\/em> by Alison McAlpine during a grand opening night. This event will take place on Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 PM at the Cin\u00e9math\u00e8que qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise, in the presence of the filmmakers and crews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMFORTING <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Films that make you want to embrace life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hypersensible\"
Hypersensible<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Presented at the opening, the beautiful and gentle Mes murs-m\u00e9moires<\/em> by Axel Robin (January 22) will set the tone for an anniversary edition arriving at a time of year when comfort and vitality are most welcome. Seven other tonic and deeply human works will be presented under this theme: Embo\u00eeter leurs pas<\/em> by Manuel Piron (January 23), Ilnikueu<\/em> by the Puakuteu Women’s Committee (January 24), Anyway, j’pisse assis<\/em> by Zak Slattery (January 25), Hypersensible<\/em> by Martine Frossard (January 27), Orbites<\/em> by Sarah Seen\u00e9 (January 28), Le Patenteux<\/em> by Maude Petel-L\u00e9gar\u00e9 (January 29), and Le Punk de Natashquan<\/em> by Nicolas Lachapelle (January 30).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SURPRISING <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Films that defy expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Gender-Reveal\"
Gender Reveal<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This year, viewers will discover films that astonish with their audacity and inventiveness, such as Chez Ghislaine<\/em> by Franie-\u00c9l\u00e9onore Bernier (January 22), Salem sur la route<\/em> by \u00c9tienne Galloy (January 23), Des gens vivent ici<\/em> by Gabrielle C\u00f4t\u00e9 (January 24), The Bingo Sisters<\/em> by Andrew Przybytkowski (January 25), Platanero<\/em> by Juan Frank Hernandez (January 27), Gender Reveal<\/em> by Mo Matton (January 28\u2014which was presented last year), Hello, My Name is Beaver<\/em> by Trevor Blumas (January 29), and 0004NGEL<\/em> by Eli Jean Tahchi (January 30). These works promise to surprise with their originality while offering a fresh perspective on Quebec short films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTENSE <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Films that provoke strong emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strikingly intense short films of this edition will include Mercenaire<\/em> by Pier-Philippe Chevigny (January 22), A Dying Tree<\/em> by Vincent Ren\u00e9-Lortie (January 23), Who Loves the Sun<\/em> by Arshia Shakiba (January 24), Despu\u00e9s del silencio<\/em> by Matilde-Luna Perotti (January 25), Uasheshkun<\/em> by Normand Junior Thirnish-Pilot (January 27), Le vrai Jo<\/em> by Zackary Bourdeau-Pouplier (January 28), Rituels sous un ciel \u00e9carlate<\/em> by Dominique Chila and Samer Najari (January 29), and Zo\u00e9<\/em> by R\u00e9mi St-Michel (January 30). These films stand out for their narrative power and their ability to move audiences through memorable characters and stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADORABLE <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Films that know how to charm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programming also includes short films that charm with their humor, tenderness, and freshness. Among them, Perfectly a Strangeness<\/em> by Alison McAlpine (January 22)\u2014still in the race for the Oscars\u00ae in the Best Documentary Short Film category\u2014Cher Zoscar<\/em> by Sarah Toussaint-L\u00e9veill\u00e9 (January 23), Bo\u00eete \u00e0 savon<\/em> by Jimmy G. Pettigrew (January 24), Cr\u00e8me \u00e0 glace<\/em> by Rachel Samson (January 25), Les faux sapins<\/em> by Justine Martin (January 27), Angle mort<\/em> by Charlie Gu\u00e8vremont (January 28), Himalia<\/em> by Juliette Lossky and Clara Milo (January 29), and La petite anc\u00eatre<\/em> by Alexa Tremblay-Francoeur (January 30) showcase situations full of charm that bring a smile and touch the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TEA TIME <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, January 24 at 2:00 PM at Vid\u00e9ographe (4550 Garnier St, Montreal), the first Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s) professional event will take place to demystify short film distribution. Tea Time offers a friendly format where filmmakers can discuss and ask questions directly to industry professionals, while getting to know the members of the Regroupement des distributeurs ind\u00e9pendants de films du Qu\u00e9bec (RDIFQ). The panel will feature experts from Welcome Aboard, Travelling, and Vid\u00e9ographe. Free, registration required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE SCREENING THAT HITS HARD… AGAIN! <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
SDR<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Following the immense success of La projection qui fesse<\/em> initiated last year to present wild works at risk of censorship by Meta, Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s) is bringing back this event with four equally bold films. The shorts 0004NGEL<\/em> by Eli Jean Tahchi, BOA<\/em> by Alexandre Dostie, Nuit blonde<\/em> by Gabrielle Demers, and SDR<\/em> by Alexa-Jeanne Dub\u00e9 will be shown on Saturday, January 24 at 9:00 PM at the Cin\u00e9math\u00e8que qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise. Free, by reservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FREE ENTRY TO TWO FLAGSHIP EVENTS <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two flagship events return this year: the Commented Screening of the short film Platanero<\/em>, a film that has traveled the world since its selection at the Sundance Film Festival. Join us on Sunday, January 25 at 7:00 PM at Cin\u00e9ma Public for a meeting with filmmaker Juan Frank Hernandez and the cast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another free activity for festival-goers: a Masterclass with filmmakers Matthew Rankin and Sophie Deraspe. The event will take place on Monday, January 26 at 7:00 PM at Salle Jean-Claude Lauzon (UQAM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CARTE BLANCHE FOR VISIONS DU R\u00c9EL <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This year, the Swiss festival Visions du R\u00e9el offers a “carte blanche” celebrating innovative forms of documentary cinema with a selection of four award-winning short films. On Monday, January 26, audiences from around the world can discover Souvenirs d’une journ\u00e9e parfaite<\/em> by Davina Maria, Contraindre<\/em> by fleuryfontaine, Crushed<\/em> by Camille Vigny, and Apol\u00e9on<\/em> by Amir Youssef from the comfort of their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SCREENPLAY READING <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Driven by public enthusiasm, the Screenplay Reading returns this year in a new setting. Orchestrated by director Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Leblanc (Vil et Mis\u00e9rable<\/em>), the evening will notably feature spokesperson Anne-\u00c9lisabeth Boss\u00e9, accompanied by a troupe of talented actors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Vil
Vil et Mis\u00e9rable<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The event will be held on January 29 at 7:00 PM at Ausgang Plaza, featuring readings of scripts from five short films. Tickets available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A PUNK CLOSING NIGHT <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday, January 31, after nine days of discovering the 32 Quebec shorts in competition, the public will be invited to vote for their favorite film among those that received the most interactions (likes, shares, comments). The top five films will be rebroadcast for the Ultimate Vote day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting at 7:00 PM, festival-goers are invited to Turbo Ha\u00fcs (2040 St-Denis St, Montreal) for an evening inspired by the closing film Le Punk de Natashquan<\/em>. The awards ceremony will be followed by a discussion with the audience and a special performance by the rock band PRINCESSES. Tickets available online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A collection of all films from the 10th edition will be available from February 1 to 28, 2026, on the Cin\u00e9-Club Plein(s) \u00c9cran(s) for $15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For full details on the 2026 programming, visit pleinsecrans.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trailer <\/i> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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