Team

Permanent Team

The heart of the festival is a small, passionate, and driven team. Here they are, introducing themselves through three key questions.

Pauline Laurent

Co-Executive Director and Director of Administration

Besides reading comics (of course), what are your passions?
I mostly enjoy reading different kinds of books, but I also like playing video games, especially ones with puzzles. I often go to concerts or the movies. Otherwise, in my free time, I also try out new arts and crafts techniques.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Putting my analytical and logical mind to work for my passion for comics. And experiencing the Festival in May makes me realize just how much all the hard work throughout the year is worth it.

A discovery that left a lasting impression on you in the past year?
The Night Eaters trilogy by Marjorie M. Liu and Sana Takeda—even though I haven’t read the final book yet, I can’t wait! It’s gory, intriguing, and funny, yet the artwork is gentle. A story about family, unspoken truths, and immigration with a dash of the supernatural—it’s exactly my kind of thing.

Virginie Mont-Reynaud

Co-Executive Director and Artistic Director

Besides reading comics (of course), what are your passions?
Reading books without pictures—yes, I know, sacrilege! I’m a huge fan of all kinds of science fiction, whether it’s in comics, novels, or on screen. And when I feel like socializing, I love playing board games with my friends.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love discovering new things. Even though I sadly don’t have time to read everything, my work allows me to explore everything comics have to offer, and it’s truly magical!

A discovery that left a lasting impression on you in the past year?
Patrick Horvath’s comic book Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees took me by surprise. With its pastel colours and a drawing style more reminiscent of a children’s book than a comic book, the work contrasts sharply with its bloody subject matter. I’m not usually a fan of horror comics, but this one was intriguing enough to get me hooked. For a first long-form work, it’s very successful, and the contrast between the visuals and the story makes it a real gem!

Jennifer Plouznikoff

Programming Manager

Besides reading comics (of course), what are your passions?
I could travel endlessly (but where would I put my library?)

What do you enjoy most about your work?
My team, and meeting the artists and exhibitors! It’s such a joy to welcome people from all over, and the connections made at the festival are especially inspiring. It’s my little ideal world!

A discovery that left a lasting impression on you in the past year?
I had never read Florence Dupré la Tour before! It was only this year that I discovered the two volumes of Pucelle, which have gone straight into my list of favourites. I love how she tackles themes that are very close to my heart (feminism and class struggle, to name but a few) in joyfully chaotic stories, using deceptively naive drawings. It’s pure delight!

Programming Committee

This year sees the creation of a Programming Committee whose mandate to develop and prepare a unique, diverse and interesting programing slate for the Festival that reflects the broader cultural moment. All the people chosen have been involved with the Festival for several years and are important individuals in the Montreal comics community.