The Just For Laughs Film Festival is the premiere film event of the Montreal International Just For Laughs Comedy Festival which attracts over 2 million visitors and over 1,000 industry members each summer. This film extravaganza showcases the world’s largest selection of comedy shorts, Hollywood and International film premieres, and a series of star-studded special events.
For the past 12 years, the Just For Laughs Film Festival has presented a prestigious selection of international, independent, and Hollywood comedies, and has welcomed an impressive list of celebrities including William H. Macy, Jay Baruchel, Rose Byrne, Ivan Reitman, Jason Reitman, Edgar Wright, Marlon Wayans, Rob Corddry, Denis Leary, Laurence Fishburne, Chris Rock, Eric Idle, Brandy, Amy Sedaris, Andrea Martin, and the Kids in the Hall. Among the star-studded highlights was a sold-out special advance screening of Pineapple Express at the Imperial theatre presented by the cast and crew which included Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen, and Danny McBride; the North American premiere of Mr. Bean’s Holiday presented by Rowan Atkinson at a sold out Imperial Theatre; The Rocker, Space Chimps; Hairspray; Clerks II; Wedding Crashers; American Splendor; Austin Powers in Goldmember; Osmosis Jones; and more. In 2001, audiences were treated to a special sneak preview showing of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with a special guest appearance by the movie’s star-Nia Vardalos. In addition to its English programming, the Just For Laughs Film Event has also featured numerous Canadian and North American premieres from Quebec and France including Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis, the most successful French language film ever with Box Office sales of over $200 million, presented by French star and director Dany Boon; Ma Tante Aline with the entire cast in attendance; 3 Amis presented by director Michel Boujenah, Taxi 4 presented by the movie’s star-Bernard Farcy; Mon Meilleur Ami presented by popular French director Patrice Leconte; Camping presented by the film’s star-Franck Dubosc; OSS 117: Le Caire Nid d’Espions presented by the film’s star-Jean Dujardin; Québec-Montréal; Horloge Biologique by Ricardo Trogi; and La Grande Seduction by Jean-François Pouliot.
