The Montreal International Documentary Meetings (RIDM) are proud to announce the opening and closing films of their 29th edition, which will take place from November 19 to 29, 2026. This year, the RIDM is investing in new screening rooms in order to bring together their activities in the heart of the Latin Quarter.
Opening film – KEEP A MOUNTAIN by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić Selected to open the festival, the film To Hold a Mountain by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić plunges into the heart of the mountains of Montenegro, where the agricultural tradition of a mother and her daughter is threatened by a NATO project. Winner of the Grand Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, the feature film was recognized at the prestigious CPH:DOX, Cinéma du Réel, Visions du Réel, Hot Docs, Dok.fest München and MakeDox.
“Guarding a Mountain is the trace of our seven-year journey and the friendship that was forged with the community of shepherds of the mountain of Sinjajevina, in Montenegro. It has been an extraordinary adventure to share moments of life with Gara and Nada — an adventure that has profoundly marked our lives. We hoped that this film could in turn offer new experiences to its viewers. It is a work of love that questions love as a possible political tool. In this spirit, we are delighted and honored to open the RIDM, one of the most beautiful documentary festivals in the world. » – Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, filmmakers
Produced by Wake Up Films, Ardor Films, Les Films de l’œil sauvage and CVINGER FILM, Garder une montagne will be screened as its Quebec premiere, to open the festival, on Thursday, November 19 at the Salle Pierre-Mercure of the Center Pierre-Péladeau (300, Boul. de Maisonneuve E). A second session will take place during the festival.
Closing film – BA’S BOOK by Ashley Da-Lê DuongIn closing, the RIDM will present Ba’s Book, a film in which Ashley Da-Lê Duong and her family examine the impacts as well as the intergenerational legacy of the Vietnam War, by reconstructing certain scenes from a book written by the filmmaker’s father. The documentary will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and its international premiere at the London Film Festival before meeting audiences here.
“The entire team is honored that Ba’s Book was chosen as the RIDM closing film — it’s like coming home! RIDM has been a deeply nourishing force for my work over the years, notably through Doc Lab Montreal, the Rough Cut Pitch and the Docs-In-Progress – Canadian Showcase at Cannes Docs. We can’t wait to present our ambitious, offbeat and deeply touching film to our friends, family and community here in Montreal. » – Ashley Da-Lê Duong, directorProduced by Intuitive Pictures, Ba’s Book will have its Quebec premiere, closing the festival, on Saturday, November 28 at the Maison Théâtre (245, Rue Ontario E).
The RIDMs settle in the heart of the Latin Quarter For their 29th edition, the RIDMs are bringing together their activities in the Latin Quarter. A valuable ally and headquarters of the festival, the Cinémathèque québécoise will host most of the programming spanning ten days of festivities. The opening film will be presented a few steps away, in the Salle Pierre-Mercure of the Center Pierre-Péladeau. Located just a five-minute walk away, the RIDM will also take over the Maison Théâtre for the first time. Transformed into a real cinema hall, it will offer screenings every evening from November 21. For one evening, the festival will also stop at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationaux du Québec (BAnQ). The Cinéma du Parc and the Cinéma du Musée, long-time partners of the RIDM, will complete this new configuration of screening locations.
About the RIDMSeeking to discover the most stimulating and diverse visions of documentary cinema, the Rencontres nationaux du documentary de Montréal (RIDM) offers a daring program that brings together the works of established filmmakers and those of new talents, while focusing on the encounter between artists and the public.
The 29th edition of the RIDM will take place from November 19 to 29, 2026.