RIDM 2026 features five NFB documentaries by Montreal filmmakers

PRESS RELEASE
28/10/2026

The world premiere of Steve Patry’s A Breath at a Time, an unfiltered look at men with a history of violence who are trying to change, leads a powerful NFB line-up at RIDM

October 28, 2026 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) returns to the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM), running November 19 to 29, with five documentaries by Montreal filmmakers. Led by the world premiere of Steve Patry’s A Breath at a Time, the lineup also features the Quebec debuts of Matthew Rankin’s Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney, Aziz Zoromba’s LOUF, Karl Lemieux’s Platforms and Christine Chevarie-Lessard’s O Fear, O Night.

Beyond the screenings, the NFB’s strong presence at RIDM 2026 also includes discussions and special events.

WORLD PREMIERE

A Breath at a Time by Steve Patry (82 min) | Magnus Isacsson Competition
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/a-breath-at-a-time

Is it possible to unlearn violent behaviour? A Breath at a Timefollows men with a history of violence who’ve decided to seek help at a social services centre. During several sessions, they learn to express their emotions and be accountable for their actions. The documentary offers an unfiltered look at the patient work of the intervention team as they guide the men in the difficult task of re-thinking traditional models of masculinity.
Steve Patry makes socially impactful documentary films that give voice to marginalized or underrepresented groups. His first film, From Prisons to Prisons (2014), earned a special mention at RIDM and a Jutra nomination for best feature documentary. He followed that with the acclaimed NFB production Waseskun(2016) as well as celebrated independent documentaries.
SCREENINGS: 24, 5:30 p.m., Maison Théâtre, followed by a panel with the filmmaker and experts | Nov. 26, 3:30 p.m., Cinémathèque québécoise, with Steve Patry in attendance.

Quebec premieres

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney by Matthew Rankin (99 min) | National Feature Competition
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/ladies-and-gentlemen-brian-mulroney

In 1976, Brian Mulroney launched a charm offensive the likes of which Canada had never seen, dismantling the political establishment one dad joke at a time. Winner of the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, this psychedelic doomscroll through the mind of a master politician charts the flamboyant rise of Canada’s 18th prime minister.

RIDM 2026 marks the return of Montreal-based, Winnipeg-born filmmaker Matthew Rankin, who served on the festival jury in 2021. Rankin’s body of work includes the features The Twentieth Century and Universal Language and the NFB experimental animated short The Tesla World Light. His films have been presented at major festivals, including TIFF, Sundance, SXSW, Annecy, the Berlinale, Cannes Critics’ Week and the Directors’ Fortnight, as well as on the Criterion Channel.
SCREENINGS: 21 & 25, 8:15 p.m., Maison Théâtre (Matthew Rankin in attendance at screenings).
MASTERCLASS: The Archaeology of a Narrative: The Creative Material of the Archives in Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney, a masterclass with Rankin, archival producer Marika Lapointe and NFB producer Pierre-Mathieu Fortin, Nov. 24, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Cinémathèque québécoise.

LOUF by Aziz Zoromba (109 min) | Magnus Isacsson Competition
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/louf

Zoromba follows acclaimed chef Fadi Kattan and Canadian co-venturer Nicole Mankinen as they race to open a Palestinian restaurant in Toronto. While their dream takes shape, escalating attacks devastate Gaza and the West Bank.
Aziz Zoromba is a Canadian-Egyptian filmmaker from Montreal. He is best known for his 2022 film Simo, which won the IMDbPro Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film at the Toronto International Film Festival and Best Live Action Short Drama at the Canadian Screen Awards.
SCREENINGS: Nov. 23, 5:30 p.m., Maison Théâtre | Nov. 28, 1:45 p.m., Cinémathèque québécoise.
SPECIAL EVENT: Post-screening celebration with Palestinian food and music, a DJ set from Laylit, and an opportunity to meet filmmakers and special guests behind the film, Nov. 23, 8 p.m., Cinémathèque québécoise (director Aziz Zoromba and members of the film crew in attendance at all events).

Platforms by Karl Lemieux (20 min 46 s) | National Short and Medium-length Competition Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/platforms

Out in the North Sea, off the shores of Scotland, workers are busy taking apart decommissioned oil and gas platforms, piece by piece. Working with Swedish soundscape artist BJ Nilsen, Karl Lemieux has assembled images shot on 16-mm film, sounds and textures into a poetic documentary portrait of a gigantic worksite on the high seas.

Karl Lemieux (Quiet Zone, Shambles) is a filmmaker and performer known for his live collaborations with post-rock group Godspeed You! Black Emperor. His experimental documentaries explore natural and industrial materials and the ruins of the Anthropocene.
SCREENINGS: Nov. 22, 5:45 p.m., Cinémathèque québécoise | Nov. 24, 8:30 p.m., Cinéma du Parc.
INSTALLATION: Platforms will be presented as an immersive exhibition at Galerie OBORO, Opening Night on Nov. 20, 5 p.m. (Karl Lemieux in attendance at all events).

O Fear, O Night by Christine Chevarie-Lessard (70 min) | Panorama
Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/o-fear-o-night

At a time when everyone is talking about anxiety, Christine Chevarie-Lessard tries to understand the ever-present fear inside her. In a story that blends introspection, emotion and humour, fear is shown to be at times dangerous, at times transformative, but always powerful and universal.

Christine Chevarie-Lessard’s first feature-length documentary, A Delicate Balance, premiered at RIDM in 2018, winning the Women Inmate Jury Award at the festival and earning a Gémeaux nomination. She’s also directed the short films Linda Rabin: Everything Is Moving,The Vigil and Quand tout est possible, as well as several documentaries for television or radio.
SCREENINGS: 26, 8:30 p.m., Maison Théâtre | Nov. 29, 11:15 a.m., Cinémathèque québécoise (Christine Chevarie-Lessard in attendance at screenings).

NFB at Forum RIDM

The NFB is once again taking part in Forum RIDM activities this year:

Nathalie Cloutier, Executive Producer, and Johanna Lessard, Director of Marketing, will be participating in Expert Round Tables on November 24
Isabelle Couture, a producer with the French Documentary Unit, and Robert Vroom, a producer with the Eastern Documentary Unit, will take part in the One-on-One Pitches on November 25, where they’ll be meeting with French- and English-speaking creators and producers;
On November 21 and 22, the Forum RIDM’s Doc Lab will take place at the NFB. The NFB will award $5,000 in development support to one national project selected during the final pitch sessions;
The NFB will open its doors on Friday, November 20, 10:30 a.m. at the NFB Space. Join NFB teams as they welcome RIDM-accredited guests and industry professionals for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Balmoral facilities and an opportunity to learn more about working with and collaborating with the NFB. To reserve your spot: documentairefrancophone@onf.ca

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LOUF press screening: Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. at the Cinémathèque québécoise

Media Relations

Jennifer Mair
NFB Publicist
C.: 416-436-0105
j.mair@nfb.ca | @NFB_Jennifer

Magalie Boutin
Director, Communications, Public and Cultural Relations, NFB
C.: 514-233-8646
m.boutin@nfb.ca | @NFB_Magalie

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RIDM 2026 features five NFB documentaries by Montreal filmmakers