On October 29, 2026, the Villeneuve film launched on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, bringing actors and creators together. We were there. Here is the recap.
Thursday, October 29, 2 p.m. On the track that bears his name, the smell of popcorn mixes with the scent of cold asphalt. Forty-four years after the death of Gilles Villeneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau hosted the launch of Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend. And in a first for Quebec, the film world did not just invite its actors: it threw the doors wide open to content creators. One Way was there.
- When: Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 2 p.m.
- Where: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal
- What: the launch of Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend, in theatres November 11
- Who: the film's cast and production team, alongside creators from Twitch, social media and film
- The idea: let guests live the film instead of just watching it, an initiative by creator and entrepreneur Gael Comtois
A simple idea: live the film, don't just watch it
Behind the event is creator and entrepreneur Gael Comtois, with a clear instinct: bring the film world and the creator world together in one place. Not another press screening, not a stiff red carpet: the people who made the film rubbed shoulders with the people who would tell it to their communities. An immersive experience, designed so guests felt like they were living part of the film in real time.
The setting speaks for itself. This is the track where Gilles Villeneuve won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix, in 1978, in front of his home crowd. It is also where several scenes of the film were shot. Hard to find a set with more history.
2 p.m.: popcorn, caps and turntables
From the moment they arrived, guests were welcomed movie-theatre style, paddock edition: little tubs of popcorn (a deliberate nod to the big screen), bites by Beach Day Everyday, Sprite and sparkling water, and a cap featuring the film for everyone. In the background, a live DJ set the pace.
Who was on the starting grid
On the film side, several members of the production team were there, along with members of the cast, starting with Rémi Goulet, who plays Gilles Villeneuve. On the creator side, the grid was just as stacked: Cocotte, Adam Paradisio, Emy Lalune, Remz, Claude Bégin, Samantha Leclerc, Lewis, Sherbatov and many other familiar faces from Twitch, social media and film.
2 to 5 p.m.: a 5 à 7 with a head start
At the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, even happy hour jumps the start: the 5 à 7, Quebec's beloved after-work drinks, kicked off at 2 p.m. and stretched until about 5 p.m. Between chocolate-dipped strawberries and a slice of pizza, guests let the music, the reunions and the new connections carry them.
Meanwhile, a different kind of line was forming: several creators signed up for a lap directly on the circuit. A rare chance to drive where the world's best drivers battle it out every spring.
4 p.m.: the star had four wheels
Around 4 p.m., all eyes turned to a collector's piece: a March Formula Atlantic car, very likely a March 76B, in Gilles Villeneuve's colours: white bodywork, number 69 and the Direct Film logo. The kind of appearance that silences a crowd, just long enough for everyone to grab their phones.
The choice is no accident. In 1976, driving a March 76B for Écurie Canada, Gilles dominated Formula Atlantic and won both the Canadian championship and the American IMSA title. When his sponsor Skiroule went bankrupt mid-season, Direct Film helped keep the car on track. That breakout year opened the door to Formula 1 the following season. In other words, guests were looking at the car from the moment everything changed.
“It's about the human being”
Between two laps and two conversations, one line summed up the spirit of the afternoon better than any trailer.
The afternoon, hour by hour
See you in theatres on November 11
Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend opens across Quebec on November 11, 2026, after a gala screening at Cinemania on November 9. Here is the trailer to get you in the mood.
For the story, the cast and the key dates, read our article Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend, everything to know. Planning a launch of your own? Talk to One Way.
After an afternoon like that, one thing is clear: Gilles Villeneuve never really left the track.
Villeneuve film launch: your questions
Where was the Villeneuve film launched?+
On the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, at Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Who organized the event?+
Creator and entrepreneur Gael Comtois, with the idea of bringing the film world and the creator world together.
What car was on display?+
A March Formula Atlantic car, very likely a March 76B, in the white number 69 Direct Film livery Gilles Villeneuve raced in 1976.
Who plays Gilles Villeneuve in the film?+
Rémi Goulet. Rosalie Bonenfant plays his wife, Joann Villeneuve.
When does the film come out?+
November 11, 2026, in theatres across Quebec.
Sources: Old Racing Cars, Wikipedia (March 76B), Canadian International AutoShow, Sharp Magazine, Instagram @gaelcomtois.
