Kino Montréal

What Kino Montréal does

Kino Montréal is a Québec-registered non-profit community organization that operates the originating cell of the international Kino movement. Founded in 1999 (with the flagship Kino Kabaret format created in 2001), it runs a community-driven short film ecosystem built on mutual aid rather than selection: emerging filmmakers, technicians, artisans, and actors join by becoming members or registering in the free Bottin de Kino MTL directory, then collaborate through monthly screening events (Projections mensuelles), peer mentorship tracks under Kino Mentorat (Distribution and Finance), and the annual 72-hour Kino Kabaret filmmaking marathon which draws 100+ participants per bloc across two production blocs at Théâtre Plaza.

The organization's activities and products are organized around four recurring programs — Kino Kabaret, Projections mensuelles, Kino Mentorat, and the Bottin de Kino MTL directory — all coordinated by a small core team of four full-time staff (Directrice générale Christel Marchand, Directeur artistique Charles Parisé, Coordonnatrice Anne-Marie Garand, Chargée de projet du Kabaret Juliette S Turcot) with governance from an eight-member Board of Directors. The underlying technology stack is intentionally light: a Yapla-based self-service portal powers membership sign-up, billing, ticketing, and the Bottin directory, while content distribution relies on physical venues (Théâtre Plaza for Kabaret screenings, Ausgang Plaza for pitch/networking nights) and a partnership with Funambules Médias for outdoor Cinéma sous les étoiles screenings at Parc Molson.

Kino Montréal monetizes through a hybrid non-profit model: annual full memberships at $70 CAD (Bottin directory listing is free), sliding-scale Kabaret projection tickets ($5 Accessible / $15 Regular / $25 Solidarity, with members admitted free), individual and recurring donations (tax-receipted), and in-kind partner value from an eight-vendor equipment discount ecosystem offering 30-60% off camera, grip, costume, and music licensing. It operates exclusively in Québec, Canada, and is uninvested by external capital.

Name

Kino Montréal

Legal name

Kino Montréal

Website

https://kinomontreal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kino Montréal is a Québec non-profit (founded 1999, 4 FT staff) that runs a community-driven short-film ecosystem for emerging filmmakers, technicians, and actors, anchored by the annual 72-hour Kino Kabaret marathon, monthly screenings, Kino Mentorat, and the Bottin de Kino MTL directory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees provide revenue and grant access to member benefits including free entry to screenings, profile in the Bottin directory, equipment rental discounts, liability insurance for productions, and access to mentorship programs. Bottin-only membership is free; full member status costs $70 CAD annually.
2. Event ticket sales: Kabaret projection events charge admission with tiered pricing: Regular $15, Solidarity $25, Accessible $5. This sliding-scale model provides revenue while maintaining accessibility.
3. Donations: Individual and organizational donations are solicited, with monthly recurring donation options available. Tax receipts are issued for donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kino Montréal is a non-profit community organization that supports independent short film production in Quebec through a flagship 72-hour filmmaking marathon (Kino Kabaret), monthly public screenings (Projections mensuelles), a mentorship program (Kino Mentorat), and a free online directory (Bottin de Kino MTL) connecting filmmakers, technicians, and performers. Its offerings are gated by an annual membership (CAD $70) that unlocks free screening entry, equipment rental discounts, liability insurance, and workspace access.

Product overview

Kino Montréal is a non-profit organization that operates as a community-driven short film ecosystem rather than a single product. The core offering consists of Kino Kabaret (a 72-hour filmmaking marathon), Kino Mentorat (mentorship program), and monthly screening events. These programs are supported by the Bottin de Kino MTL directory service, which facilitates collaboration among filmmakers, technicians, and actors. The organization operates a membership program that provides benefits including insurance coverage, equipment rental discounts, and access to workspace.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kino Kabaret A 72-hour filmmaking marathon and innovation laboratory where over 100 filmmakers, artisans, technicians, and actors gather to produce short films within extremely tight production deadlines (max 6 minutes per film). Open to all who wish to participate, with public screenings at Théâtre Plaza. The flagship event of the international Kino movement.
• Projections mensuelles Monthly public screening events where short films are presented to the community. Serve as networking opportunities for filmmakers, technicians, and actors to meet, discuss projects, and encourage each other. Free entry for members; tickets on a sliding scale for the general public.
• Kino Mentorat A mentorship program offered to Kino members, pairing emerging filmmakers with experienced mentors. Distribution track and Finance track are available, providing guidance on getting films seen and managing film finances.
• Bottin de Kino MTL A free online directory listing filmmakers, technicians, artisans, and actors with their professional information to facilitate crew formation and collaboration within the Kino Montréal community. Members can display their profiles and availability for productions.
• Membre Kino Montréal (annual membership) Annual membership program (CAD $70, valid July 16 to July 15) providing free entry to all monthly screenings, Bottin directory listing visibility, equipment rental discounts (Royal Photo 30%, MultiService Luna 20%, BAM Music 20%), liability and equipment insurance for productions, access to Kino workspace, eligibility to submit films as event openers, and access to Kino Mentorat Distribution and Finance tracks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ participants per Kabaret event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Royal PhotocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Equipment rental partner offering 50% discount on equipment rental during Kino Kabaret for filmmakers, and 30% discount for regular members. Located at Royal Photo for equipment pickup.
• MTL GrandécoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Equipment rental partner offering 50% and above discount on camera equipment and 60% and above on electro/grip equipment during Kino Kabaret. Larger discounts available on less in-demand equipment.
• SLA LocationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Equipment rental partner offering 40% and above on camera equipment and 50% and above on electro/grip equipment during Kino Kabaret.
• CinegroundminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Equipment rental partner for Kino Kabaret participants with negotiated rates.
• MultiService LunacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Equipment rental partner offering 20% discount on control room equipment for regular members and Kabaret participants.
• Grand CostumierminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Costume rental partner offering 10% discount to Kino Kabaret participants.
• Espace CostumeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Costume rental partner offering 10% discount to Kino Kabaret participants.
• BAM MusiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Music bank partner offering 20% discount to regular members and Kabaret participants for music licensing and equipment.
• Funambules MédiascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner organization for Cinema sous les étoiles outdoor screening series. Kino Montréal provides short film competition programming for these events held at Parc Molson.
• Ausgang PlazaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Kino Kabaret networking and pitch event on August 16, 2026. Located at 6524 Rue Saint-Hubert, Montréal.
• Théâtre PlazacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Kino Kabaret film projection events (Bloc #1 and Bloc #2 screenings). Located at 6505 Rue Saint-Hubert, Montréal.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Film Independent: Large Los Angeles-based nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers through mentoring, labs, and a flagship festival. Comparable as a broader incumbent with the same core mission of nurturing independent filmmakers beyond mainstream industry channels.
• Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP): Long-running U.S. nonprofit community for independent filmmakers providing labs, fiscal sponsorship, and year-round programming. Comparable mission of supporting emerging creators through community-driven resources and mentorship.
• Canadian Film Centre: Toronto-based national film and media training organization providing mentorship and programs for emerging creators. Comparable as a larger Canadian talent-development institution serving a similar audience of emerging filmmakers.

Direct peers

• Liaison Film (Regroupement des cinéastes indépendants): Montréal-based organization representing independent filmmakers with shared resources and community programming. Comparable as a fellow Montréal organization supporting independent production outside the studio system.
• Kino New York: New York chapter of the international Kino movement, running Kabaret-style filmmaking challenges and open participation screening events. Direct peer: sister Kino cell with near-identical programming model.
• Kino Berlin (Kinomatik): Berlin-based Kino cell that runs a similar 72-hour filmmaking marathon and mutual-aid short film community. Direct peer: same Kino movement, same volunteer-driven production format, only differing in geography.
• Funambules Médias: Montréal nonprofit that partners with Kino Montréal on the Cinema sous les étoiles outdoor screening series. Comparable as a fellow community-focused film nonprofit organizing free public short-film programming.
• Main Film: Montréal-based film cooperative supporting independent production through equipment access, training, and co-production services. Comparable as a Montréal-rooted film community organization serving emerging creators with shared production resources.
• Kino London: UK Kino cell operating monthly screenings and short-form collaborative film events under the same international Kino umbrella. Direct peer: same movement, same Kabaret-inspired programming for emerging filmmakers.

Regional players

• Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma: Annual Québec film festival with curation ties to Kino Montréal's artistic director. Comparable as a regional film programming organization that showcases emerging and independent Quebec filmmakers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCOmzBmPMNNqmAhODMaDAR-Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/kinomontreal
• Instagraminstagram.com/kino.montreal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kinomontreal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kino Montréal