A record-breaking edition!
Running three weeks and divided into 8 thematic sections accompanied by 95 pieces of original content including discussions, interviews, podcasts and round tables, the festival stood out by creating a completely reinvented format designed for present circumstances, completed with creative and diverse promotional concepts and companion content. The renewal’s success was confirmed by audience figures that exceeded expectations, with a RECORD number of passes sold !
In this year’s all-online format, the festival presented 109 films from 45 countries. A total of 128 filmmakers, including 67 women directors, showed their work! Designed for accessibility – both geographical (Quebec-wide) and financial (bundled rather than single tickets) – in 2020 the RIDM reached, for the first time, viewers outside Montreal, who purchased 11-25% of thematic section tickets.
Goals achieved
Rejecting the traditional single-film model in favour of thematic groupings, the festival reached two more goals. First, the removal of hierarchical distinctions between feature, short and medium-length films gave each work its due, as confirmed by viewing numbers. Second, the festival chose relevant themes that audiences appreciated.
You are wondering wich thematic sections were the most popular ? It was Seeking Communities, Becoming Oneself and Redefining Intimacy. All three sections explored new ways of thinking about today’s most urgent social and identity questions.
What a joy that most of the original content created for this year’s festival is designed to have long-term value after the festival, the significant body of RIDM 2020 companion materials will remain relevant in 2021. These materials will accompany RIDM Extended, with some films already available and more to come throughout 2021 with La Fabrique culturelle, Festival Scope, Radio-Canada (ICI Tou.tv) and Tënk.
Forum RIDM online !
The 16th edition of Forum RIDM was also a success, with more than 300 accredited participants including 127 industry professionals. In an extended 8-day format, this year’s online edition of Forum RIDM overcame several obstacles to provide practical strategic tools. Through the Forum’s 16 activities – workshops, discussions and numerous organized and informal networking activities – participants had the opportunity to hone their skills and expand their knowledge.
Forum RIDM 2020’s all-online program focused on accessibility and inclusiveness in the industry. With small-group and one-on-one activities, the Création Plurielle series presented funding and writing workshops for women, with the financial support of the Bell Fund. The Funds and Experts round tables brought together people working in every part of the industry. With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and DOC Québec, 20 up-and-coming professionals received personalized guidance to help them make the most of the Forum.
Many grants and support
Presented by the Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC), Forum RIDM’s centrepiece, the One-on-One, welcomed 72 industry representatives from 13 countries and 66 participants for a total of 592 online business meetings. New talent was also a focus this year with four forms of support offered to francophone and anglophone filmmakers through the 7th edition of the Talent Lab, presented by NETFLIX. For the first time, FranC Doc awarded a project development grant to an emerging filmmaker from a remote area. A total of $31,000 in grants and support were awarded at Forum RIDM 2020. A great success !