SAGUENAY, Quebec – The 30th edition of the Festival REGARD, a cornerstone of North American short film, unveiled its program this Wednesday, February 25th, at the CEM de Chicoutimi. From March 18th to 22nd, the city of Saguenay will once again transform into a vibrant hub for cinematic talent, creativity, and exchange, all centered around the art of the short film. The festival, founded in 1995, anticipates welcoming thousands of visitors eager to experience the diverse world of short-form storytelling.
“Regard is a collective work, and collectively, we continue to believe that cinema can bring us together more than divide us,” said Marie-Michèle Plante, Director General of the Festival REGARD. “For a few days, we will all sit in the same theaters to experience big and small things. It’s been thirty years, and that’s wonderful. Long live cinema, and thank you for being here to experience it with us.”
A Record-Breaking Selection of Films
The selection process for the 2026 official competition was rigorous, with the festival team reviewing nearly 2,600 submissions. From this pool, 182 short films originating from 55 countries were chosen to be showcased. This year’s festival marks a significant shift, with Quebec productions taking center stage. For the first time in its 30-year history, films from Quebec represent over 70% of the selected works, a testament to the province’s thriving filmmaking community.
This strong representation will provide a platform for numerous filmmakers from the Saguenay region, including Anaë Bilodeau, Louis-Pierre Cossette, Jérémy Gagnon, and Thomas Dufour, among others. The festival’s commitment to showcasing local talent is a key element of its identity and mission.
Championing Quebec Cinema on the World Stage
Mélissa Bouchard, the festival’s Director of Programming, expressed her pride in the team’s work. “I’m thrilled – this concretizes the work accomplished over several months, and it was really important to us,” Bouchard stated. “We are a Quebec festival, a regional festival, and this allows creators from here to benefit from a great springboard to then travel and be presented internationally, around the world.”
The festival’s dedication to supporting Quebec filmmakers resonated with Pier-Luc Funk, the festival’s spokesperson, who was unable to participate in previous years due to pandemic-related disruptions. “We don’t have a huge market, and it can be difficult to survive when you want to make films in Quebec,” Funk explained. “So, to see that the passion is still there with many people, that people continue to make short films, find ways to get by, and that Quebec represents more than 50% of the festival’s programming, I believe that’s fantastic. We are people who don’t give up and are willing to fight to the end for what we love.”
Funk, a self-described history enthusiast, shared his perspective on what inspires him most in cinema. “I’m a big fan of history, in all its forms. Whether it’s more classic stories, works of art, paintings, or other things, I like to be surprised. When I watch a film, it’s especially the director’s rhythm and narrative structure that grab me the most.”
A Festival Recognized Internationally
REGARD has established itself as a leading short film festival in North America, attracting approximately 400 industry professionals annually. The festival is recognized by the Academy Awards and FIPRESCI, and typically presents around 200 films from over 50 countries, awarding nearly $120,000 in prizes and scholarships. More information about the festival’s history and impact can be found on its official website.
In a move to broaden accessibility, all public screenings within the Youth section of the festival will be free of charge this year. This initiative underscores REGARD’s commitment to fostering a love of cinema among younger audiences.
The full program details and ticket information are available on the festival’s website: https://festivalregard.com.
Looking ahead, the Festival REGARD will continue to serve as a vital platform for short film creators, both established and emerging, and a cultural highlight for the Saguenay region. The festival’s ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse voices and innovative storytelling promises another compelling edition in 2026.
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