Gala – Au Contraire Film Festival

FUNDRAISING GALA

OCTOBER 26, 2026

FUNDRAISING GALA

Join us for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and artistic exploration at the 14th annual edition of the ACFF!

DATE

Monday, October 26, 2026 - 6PM

ENJOY

Buffet dînatoire with wine film screening - 7:30 PM Post-screening refreshments

VENUE

Hilton Garden Inn Midtown

ADDRESS

6939 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, Que.

DRESS CODE

Relaxed Chic

GETTING THERE

Complimentary Parking
Namur Metro

2026 WINNERS

In a rapidly evolving digital and cyber society—shaped in part by the rise of artificial intelligence—the need for empathy, reflection, and human connection has never been more essential.

The Au Contraire Film Festival on mental health raises funds to support UP House and to destigmatise long term mental health conditions.

This year’s theme Connection, Compassion, honours the reality and resilience of those living with mental health challenges and looks to strengthen connection and community—here and across the globe. In a rapidly evolving digital and cyber society—shaped in part by the rise of artificial intelligence—the need for empathy, reflection, and human connection has never been more essential.

Paradis Urbain is the founding organisation of UP House, a community and organization in Montreal that aims to eliminate social isolation and rebuild the confidence, purpose, and community of adults living with mental health challenges.

We are 900 members strong, and yearly we have over 250 active members! UP House is part of an international network of over 380 Clubhouses in 32 countries that are based on a successful evidence-based model of psychosocial rehabilitation.

PATRONS & FRIENDS

PATRONS

$1,000

FRIENDS

$500

A NOTE FROM CYBIL GERACIMO

Curator & Program Director

The Au Contraire Film Festival engages its audience through compelling films that inspire conversation and change to help dispel the stigma of mental health challenges, to honour the reality and resilience of those affected by these challenges, and to promote stronger connection, compassion, and community, here and across the globe.

By showcasing films whose stories reflect a part of the universal human experience, the shade and nuance of our own story is echoed. This, in turn, fosters deeper connection and compassion.

A new era of possibility is opening with advances in AI, ushering in unprecedented therapeutic and conversational models that will impact our lives in unexpected ways.

Come celebrate with us the power of film, to reflect, transcend, hope, and heal!

La Coupe Lumière, made of lacquered film strips and crafted by internationally known Quebecker Colin Schleeh, is an annual award of appreciation from the hundreds of organizations within the Montreal mental health continuum. It recognizes the valuable contribution made by an individual to ultimately alleviate the suffering of those that live with Long term mental health conditions, through programs, policies, facilities and innovation.

MORTON MINC

The 2026 nominee for the eighth annual Coupe Lumiere is Morton Minc, a recipient of the Order of Montreal and the Order of Canada.
As chief judge of the Municipal Court of Montréal, Judge Minc played a leading role in improving access to the justice system for the marginalized in society. He diverted thousands of people to a separate social justice court, not only to identify an individual’s problem, but also to assist, decriminalize their record when possible, and help them find their way back into society. His tireless efforts created a model that has been replicated in Canada and elsewhere.