Follies () is a 2025 Canadian sex comedy film co-written, co-produced and directed by Eric K. Boulianne.Marie-France-Lou Lemay, "Eric K. Boulianne et ses Folichonneries au Festival de Locarno". La Presse, July 8, 2025. The film stars Boulianne and Catherine Chabot as François and Julie, a couple whose 16-year marriage has grown sexually unfulfilling, who therefore decide to embark on an open relationship.Charles-Henri Ramond, "Eric K. Boulianne turns Folichonneries". Films du Québec, December 16, 2024. The cast also includes Sophie Letourneur, Agathe Ledoux, Julie Le Breton, Ève Landry, Florence Blain Mbaye, Étienne Galloy, and Antonin Mousseau-Rivard in supporting roles.
The film, Boulianne's full-length directorial debut, entered production in fall 2024 in Montreal,Marissa Groguhé, "Du sexe, de l’hyperréalisme et des chorégraphies". La Presse, December 16, 2024. and premiered at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on August 10, 2025.Mona Tabbara, "Locarno unveils 2025 line-up including premieres of Radu Jude’s ‘Dracula’, Kamal Aljafari’s ‘With Hasan In Gaza’". Screen Daily, July 8, 2025.
On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Totem Films has acquired the rights for the international sales of the film.
Cast Eric K. Boulianne as François Catherine Chabot as Julie Florence Blain Mbaye as Suzanne Étienne Galloy as Étienne Sarah Chouinard Poirier as Maxine Simone Bellemare-Ledoux as Lili Agathe Ledoux as Louise Antonin Mousseau-Rivard as Antonin Sophie Letourneur as Sophie Ève Landry as Sonia Éric Robidoux as Luc Julie Le Breton as Mrs. Sirois
Release Follies had its world premiere in the 'Filmmakers of the Present Competition' section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on August 10, 2025, vying for the Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present.
The film also had its North American premiere in the Centrepiece section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2025.
It is slated to go into commercial release on January 30, 2026.Charles-Henri Ramond, "Folichonneries en salle le 30 janvier 2026". Films du Québec, September 30, 2025.
Reception The film was named to the Toronto International Film Festival's annual year-end Canada's Top Ten list for 2026.Jamie Casemore, "TIFF unveils 2025 selections for Canada’s Top Ten features, shorts". Playback, January 6, 2025.
Accolades Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Locarno Film FestivalAugust 16, 2025 Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present Follies Director's Guild of Canada 2025 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award Connie Thiessen, "DGC unveils 2025 Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award long list". Broadcast Dialogue, September 18, 2025.Kingston Canadian Film Festival 2026 Best First Feature Jamie Casemore, "Mathieu Denis’ The Cost of Heaven wins Playback Prize at KCFF". Playback, March 2, 2026. Canadian Screen Awards 2026 Best Picture Laurie Pominville, Hany Ouichou, Éric K. Boulianne "Nominees". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, March 25, 2026. Best Director Éric K. Boulianne Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film Catherine Chabot Best Supporting Performance in a Comedy Film Agathe Ledoux Best Original Screenplay Alexandre Auger, Éric K. Boulianne Best Editing Myriam Magassouba John Dunning Best First Feature Award Éric K. Boulianne Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma 2026 Prix Gilles-Carle Charles-Henri Ramond, "(RVQC) Lauréats de l’édition 2026". Films du Québec, April 30, 2026.
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