AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 19, 2026
Rendezvous with Madness Festival Celebrates Its 34th Year in Toronto
The Rendezvous with Madness festival, presented by Workman Arts, returns to Toronto for its 34th edition from October 22 to November 1. The event focuses on mental health and addiction issues through film, art, workshops, and discussions. This year's theme is "Complexities of Care," examining who provides and receives care, and how elements such as race, gender, class, and disability influence these experiences.
Film Programs and Visual Arts Exhibition
The 2026 Rendezvous with Madness festival will feature 12 film programs alongside a visual arts exhibition, workshops, panels, and performances. Events are scheduled at notable venues including the CAMH Arrell Family Auditorium, Small World Centre, and Workman Arts OFFSITE. The festival aims to highlight voices of artists with lived experience in mental health and addiction, both from Canada and internationally.
Theme: Exploring Complexities of Care
Julian Diego, artistic director at Workman Arts and lead for the festival, describes the theme as an exploration of how people perceive care and the types of care they believe should be provided. According to Diego, the festival seeks to prompt reflection on the ways care operates in society, offering a platform for discussion and understanding around mental health and addiction.
Ticketing: Tiered Pricing for Accessibility
Festival tickets are available through a tiered pricing model: $29.53 (community supporter), $15 (regular), and $13.67 (arts worker), all prices including fees and taxes. Organizers encourage attendees to pay the price best matching their circumstances, with higher-priced tickets supporting the continued availability of reduced rates for those who need them. Proceeds benefit Workman Arts, a Toronto-based arts organization focused on promoting greater understanding of mental health and addiction and reducing associated stigma.
Community Conversations and Access Supports
In addition to the main events, the Community Conversations exhibition will run from October 24 through November 8, extending past the festival's official dates. Workman Arts ensures programming is accessible by offering supports such as active listeners and self-care resources for attendees who may require them during the festival.
About Workman Arts and Festival History
Founded in 1987 by psychiatric nurse Lisa Brown, Workman Arts began as a theatre group at the Queen Street Mental Health Centre, now known as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). Brown was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2014 for her contributions to arts and mental health advocacy. Today, Workman Arts includes over 500 artists and presents initiatives such as the Rendezvous with Madness festival and the Being Scene juried art exhibition. The organization was shortlisted for the Premier’s Arts Award in 2019.
Festival Details and Schedule
The full festival schedule and ticketing information can be found on the Workman Arts website. The Rendezvous with Madness film festival continues to provide a unique space for dialogue, artistic expression, and community engagement around mental health and addiction.
Source: nowtoronto.com.
