All tickets are Pay What You Wish (PWYW) and there will be both in-person and virtual options for engaging with the festival, so all patrons can enjoy safely.
Rendezvous with Madness is the first and largest arts and mental health festival in the world. Using art as the entry point to illuminate and investigate the realities and mythologies surrounding mental illness and addiction, Rendezvous With Madness spotlights the human capacity for endurance in the face of great challenges.
This year’s tagline, “Shine ; Together”, reflects Rendezvous’ aim to illuminate the often unseen and marginalized narratives surrounding mental health, addiction and recovery. Through creative expression, we shine light on these experiences with all of their complexities and nuances, helping us to understand and share them in different ways.
The semicolon, a known symbol of suicide prevention, rests in the middle of a simple but powerful phrase. It stands as a symbol of hope during dark and challenging times, reminding us that our stories are not over. We are here, strong together, shining together. There is a light, and the light is us.
FESTIVAL CALENDAR
“Art provides a means of shining light onto challenging situations in our lives, especially for anyone living with mental health and/or addictions. This year’s festival theme, ``Shine ; Together`` brings stories into the light as a clarion call to build a more equitable society where compassion and empathy can shine through the darkness. We hope you'll join us to talk through these creations together and shine together too."
– Workman Arts Executive Artistic Director, Amadeo Ventura
“The ongoing pandemic, multiple addiction crises, not to mention the genocides in Gaza, in Sudan, DRC and Myanmar to name a few, continue to impact communities across so-called Canada. What keeps festivals like Rendezvous With Madness going is our commitment to public dialogues and making space for connection and challenging assumptions."
– Workman Arts Managing Director and Film Programming Committee lead , Scott Miller Berry
EVENTS
SPONSORS, FUNDERS, PARTNERS, & SUPPORTERS
In Sickness & In Health, But Mostly in Sickness, by Sarah Trad, Making Mad exhibition. Photo by Aj Dissanayake.
Q&A for Foxy & Artists' Health Alliance Shorts screening
Psychosis, Ronald Taylor Dance, photo by Colin Medley.