Workman Arts’ 33rd edition of the Rendezvous With Madness (RWM) Festival, the largest and longest-running arts festival in the world dedicated to the intersection of mental health and artistic expression, returns to Toronto, Canada this week.
RWM Festival LineUp
RWM presents 11 feature films and 2 short programs alongside live performance programming and a music showcase and night market. As always, films are complemented by thought-provoking post-screening Q&As and curated panel discussions.
This year’s theme is Disrupt the Focus; a statement that questions which narratives are emphasized, and which are silenced.
The festival opens with a screening of the Winner of the Hot Docs Emerging Filmmaker Award, #SKODEN.
From director Damien Eagle Bear, #SKODEN tells the story of Pernell Bad Arm, the Blackfoot man behind the infamous “Skoden” meme that spread across the internet in 2010, emerging as a symbol of Indigenous resilience to some while underscoring negative stereotype to others. Damien Eagle Bear’s heartfelt and compassionate documentary humanizes the man behind the image and serves as an anecdote to a bigger issue, the harsh reality of street life for many Indigenous people in Canada.
RWM’s CENTREPIECE PROGRAM presents a screening of the newest film from acclaimed Toronto documentarian Alan Zweig, LOVE, HAROLD.
A departure from Zweig classics like Vinyl, I, Curmudgeon, and Hurt, in LOVE, HAROLD Zweig faces the loss of a close friend to suicide. In an attempt to process the experience, he seeks out others who have grappled with the suicide of a loved one, engaging with his subjects as only Zweig can – reflecting with disarming candour on the grief and resilience of those left standing. Opening a door onto one of the most challenging and isolating of human experiences, LOVE, HAROLD is a gesture of radical empathy from one of Canada’s most distinctive cinematic voices.
Themes of loss of personal agency and dignity, contrasted by portrayals of the awesome resilience of the human spirit weave through the festival in acclaimed and award-winning films from across the globe. Documentary WRITING HAWA (2024) from Afghani director Najiba Noori, winner of a FIPRESCI Award at IDFA 2025, tells a story of three generations of Hazara women from the same family in their struggle to emancipate themselves from patriarchal traditions.
THE SECRET OF ME (2025) is a critically acclaimed documentary from UK director Grace Hughes-Hallet about the deeply complex subject of intersex gender presentation and the aftermath of highly invasion interventions and secrecy afflicting the community.
SHUFFLE (2025) from US director Benjamin Flaherty follows three individuals trying to survive in a system of insurance fueled rehab fraud. And the award-winning Canadian experimental filmmaker Denis Cote’s PAUL(2025), chronicles the story of a 300 pound man’s unconventional path towards personal improvement, finding solace in taking on the role of a simp, a man who excessively dotes on someone who doesn’t reciprocate their affections.
In addition to short films screening with feature films, two short film programs are again offered in 2025. Rendezvous’ IF YOU ASK ME short film line-up returns for its ninth year, showcasing emerging young filmmakers from across the country with mental health and/or addiction experiences. And POETIC PROCLAMATIONS is an anthology of short films by Workman Arts members.
The festival ends on November 2nd with a special screening in partnership with the Intercultural Iranian Canadian Resource Centre of the powerful 2019 film from Hamed Tehrani, DIAPASON, following middle-aged single mother Rana as her entire life is turned upside down in moment and she must navigate unbearable tragedy.
VISUAL ART EXHIBITION
Lingering Echoes
Curated by Nicole Marchesseau and Fatma Hendawy
October 23 to November 30, 2025 | 1 – 6 PM, Thursdays to Sundays
This year’s annual visual art exhibit Lingering Echoes, curated by Nicole Marchesseau and Fatma Hendawy, introduces speculation into how different sonic elements might exist together or work in conversation with each other within a contained space. The exhibit will open to the public alongside the festival programming, open to the public through to November 30th at 32 Lisgar Street, Toronto.
Festival Film Programming Committee Lead Scott Miller Berry
The 2025 Rendezvous With Madness Festival runs from October 23 to November 2 at the CAMH Auditorium, CAMH OFFSITE and the historic Tranzac Club.
All tickets to screenings and performances are Pay What You Wish at the door starting one hour before the event.
Some of the films will be available to stream virtually starting November 3, across Ontario, Canada. All festival details are available at workmanarts.com.
