Leadership Transition and New Organisational Structure
As it approaches its 15th edition, the Montreal Comic Arts Festival announces a major strategic shift. This change of guard will be marked by the departure of Executive Director Mélanie La Roche, the adoption of a co-directorship model, and the appointment of Virginie Mont-Reynaud as Artistic Director.
Leadership That Supported the Growth of MCAF
After leading the organisation since 2022, Mélanie La Roche will step down at the end of the next edition of the Festival, which will take place from 15 to 17 May 2026. This departure, the result of personal reflection and a desire to take on new challenges, brings to close a chapter of major successes for the FBDM.
It is with great emotion that I announce my departure from the Montreal Comic Art Festival. Since my first edition in 2022, I have been warmly welcomed by comic book artists, publishers and the comic book community. MCAF has allowed me to grow professionally and personally, as well as to take on new challenges. I leave with the feeling that I have given my all to support the Festival at an important time in its growth.
I have had the immense pleasure of working alongside Virginie Mont-Reynaud, without whom it would have been impossible to present the latest editions, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished. I would like to thank the Board of Directors, our volunteers and our partners for their support and trust over the years. Our paths will continue to cross.
The Festival is doing well, reaching more and more people, and I am turning the page with confidence that it will continue to promote comic books.
– Mélanie La Roche, Excutive Director
Mélanie La Roche joined MCAF in March 2022 for the return of the in-person Festival and its arrival on Saint-Denis Street. She succeeded Johanne Desrochers in June 2022.
Under her leadership, the Festival doubled its independent revenue and subsidies, while consolidating its presence on Saint-Denis Street. She is credited with creating the Bédélys Youth Québec award and taking a courageous stand in favour of human art in the face of generative artificial intelligence.
With the Festival’s move to St-Denis Street, Mélanie’s contribution was undeniable at a key moment in the organization’s growth. The challenges were great, and she rose to them with flying colours. Her work laid a solid foundation for the continuation of this adventure.
– Luc Bossé, Chair of the Board of Directors
The 15th edition of the Montreal Comic Arts Festival, which will take place from 15 to 17 May 2026, will be Mélanie La Roche’s last as Executive Director.
A natural evolution
Building on this momentum, the Board of Directors is taking advantage of this strategic moment to evolve the organisation’s governance. Starting in June 2026, MCAF will adopt a joint general management, dividing responsibilities between an artistic director and an administrative director.
This structure will enable the organisation to respond with agility to the growing challenges of an event of this scale, while ensuring a healthy balance between creative vision and organisational rigour.
Virginie Mont-Reynaud appointed Co-Executive Director and Artistic Director
It is with immense pride that the Board of Directors announces the appointment of Virginie Mont-Reynaud to this new co-director position, effective June 2026. A pillar of the team for 10 years and director of programming since 2022, Virginie has had a profound impact on the Festival’s identity.
Virginie has developed the programming in recent years and has also left her mark on the values adopted by MCAF. Virginie created the programming committee in 2021, keen to better represent the diversity of today’s comics and offer an even richer programme. She has encouraged the adoption of inclusive writing and the promotion of self-publishing. Her sensitivity and efforts have made it possible to present gender-balanced programming since 2024 and to give greater visibility to artists whose voices are still under-represented by publishing houses. Her leadership has also been essential in developing prestigious international partnerships, such as the focus on swiss comics.
Virginie’s appointment as Co-executive Director and Artistic Director seemed therefore a natural choice and will take effect after the 15th edition.
With 10 years of experience as part of the festival team, Virginie has in-depth knowledge of our organisation and its projects. We consider ourselves fortunate to be able to count on her to continue the work already begun. Her appointment as Co-executive Director and Artistic Director underscores the Board of Directors’ confidence in her and the importance of her contribution to MCAF.
– Luc Bossé, Chair of the Board of Directors
Call for Applications: Administrative Director Wanted!
To complete this new leadership team, MCAF is opening a position today for co-executive director and administrative director. The successful candidate will work alongside Virginie Mont-Reynaud to oversee the financial, strategic and operational management of the organisation.
The Board of Directors, staff and volunteers would like to extend their warmest thanks to Mélanie La Roche for her tremendous work and invite the entire community to come celebrate this historic 15th edition next May.
