In November 2025 Montreal will once again host image+nation, Canada’s longest-running festival devoted to queer and two‑spirit cinema. This event has been a fixture of the city since the late 1980s, evolving from a small series of screenings into an eleven‑day celebration that brings together filmmakers and audiences from around the world. Over the past decades it has been a launching pad for new voices and a safe space for established directors to share deeply personal work. The festival’s bilingual name – image+nation – nods to its roots in English and French Montreal and hints at the imaginative, boundary‑crossing spirit that runs through its programming.
What sets image+nation apart is its commitment to celebrating every facet of lgbtq+Q2S+ life. Year after year the programmers curate a wide range of feature films, documentaries and shorts that reflect the diversity of queer experiences. In recent editions audiences have encountered intimate coming‑of‑age stories, bold experimental pieces and moving portraits of activism and resilience. The organizers are careful to include works by Indigenous storytellers and artists of colour, ensuring the festival remains a platform for under‑represented voices. Outside the cinema, there are panels, workshops and artist talks where directors discuss their craft and local community leaders unpack the issues raised on screen. This combination of screenings and dialogue creates an atmosphere that feels more like a gathering of friends than a standard film festival, and many attendees return year after year.
The 2025 edition will take place from 20 to 30 November. Montreal in late autumn can be brisk, but the festival venues – a mix of historic theatres and modern performance spaces – provide warmth and conviviality. Fans who can’t make it to the city will still be able to take part; since 2020 the organizers have offered an online program that runs alongside the in‑person screenings. This hybrid model, born out of necessity, has become a permanent feature because it allows people across Canada and abroad to access the program. In 2024 the online component even extended beyond the festival dates, letting viewers catch up on shorts and documentaries they missed.
For filmmakers, image+nation is more than just a showcase. According to Catalan Films, which lists international festivals, it is considered a premier launchpad for new work, offering queer filmmakers a unique opportunity to connect with local creators, programmers and producers in Montreal’s vibrant cultural scene. Submissions for the 2025 edition opened in spring and run through September, with separate deadlines for short films and feature‑length projects. Selected films compete for jury and audience prizes that come with modest cash awards and, more importantly, visibility in a network of other lgbtq+Q2S+ festivals around the world. Past winners have gone on to screen at larger festivals and secure distribution deals; emerging directors often say that having their work premiere at image+nation gave them the confidence to pursue bigger projects.
The festival’s roots are activist as much as artistic. In the late 1980s and early 1990s image+nation screened many films dealing with resistance and liberation during the HIV/AIDS crisis. Programming Director Katharine Setzer and Executive Director Charlie Boudreau have made a point of honouring that history while embracing new forms of storytelling. Recent editions have included VR experiences and interactive installations alongside traditional screenings. Education has also become central; the I+N Explore mentoring program matches emerging filmmakers with established mentors and offers workshops on screenwriting, budgeting and pitching. Younger audiences can attend dedicated youth screenings that foster dialogue about identity and representation in media.
Visitors often note that image+nation has a community feel that differs from larger commercial festivals. It’s not uncommon to see directors chatting with audience members in the lobby after a screening or volunteers recommending their favourite cafés in the Gay Village. Montreal itself plays a starring role; venues are scattered across neighbourhoods like the Plateau, Mile End and downtown, inviting attendees to explore the city between films. The festival collaborates with local restaurants and bars to host post‑screening socials and late‑night parties, turning the event into a city‑wide celebration of queer culture. For travellers who want a quieter experience, daytime screenings followed by strolls along the city’s historic streets provide a perfect balance.
The 2025 program will be announced in the autumn, but based on previous years audiences can expect a mix of world premieres, Canadian debuts and festival favourites. Documentaries exploring contemporary queer issues will sit alongside restored classics and daring experimental works. Special spotlights often focus on a particular region or theme; past editions have highlighted trans filmmakers, queer horror and Indigenous storytelling. Whatever the focus, the guiding principle is always to reflect the authenticity and multiplicity of queer voices.
If you’re planning to attend, keep an eye on the official image+nation website for schedule updates and ticket information. Festival passes typically go on sale a few weeks before the program announcement, and individual tickets are affordable, making the festival accessible to students and community members. Even if you can’t be there in person, the online selection offers a taste of Montreal’s queer cinema scene. Whether you’re a seasoned festival‑goer or someone looking for an introduction to lgbtq+Q2S+ film, image+nation 2025 promises to deliver an engaging, thought‑provoking and welcoming experience that honours the past while looking toward the future.
