The World Film Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Canada, and its reputation is firmly established worldwide. Montreal ranks among such prestigious festivals as Cannes, Berlin and Venice. It is the only competitive film festival in North America recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations.

The Montreal World Film Festival has grown over the past twenty years into the largest publicly attended film festival in the western world. In 1996, close to 350,000 viewers attended 617 screenings of 400 films representing 63 countries. At least 3,500 professionals and 600 journalists from around the world gathered in Montreal to take part in this internationally acclaimed event.

The Montreal World Film Festival is held every summer in downtown Montreal on St. Catherine Street, from Phillips Square to Place des Arts. During the twelve days, part of St-Catherine Street is closed to traffic, to accommodate the thousands of cinema-buffs.

The screenings are presented in renowned cinemas all within walking distance.

The Festival's headquarters are located at the Meridien Hotel, across the street from Place des Arts. This is particularly convenient for the Festival's guests staying at the hotel, as everything is within walking distance.

Over the years, the World Film Festival has attracted a virtual "Who's Who" of the international film scene. Among those in attendance the past few years were: Robert Altman, Carole Bouquet, Michael Caine, Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon, G�rard Depardieu, Clint Eastwood, Marco Ferreri, Jane Fonda, Anthony Hopkins, Ben Kingsley, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Lynch, Steve Martin, Marcello Mastroniani, Miou-Miou, Roger Moore, Jeanne Moreau, Christopher Reeve, Oliver Stone, Bertrand Tavernier, Liv Ullmann...