The Pichenotte

The Pichenotte
FrenchLa Pichenotte
Directed byAntoine Boulanger
Written byAntoine Boulanger
Produced byAntoine Boulanger
StarringHugo Giroux
Carmen Sylvestre
Michel Courtemanche
CinematographyT. Anthony Gharzouzi
Edited byJames Kelly
Music byPhilipe Poulin
Production
company
Whisky-Romeo
Release date
  • April 22, 2026 (2026-04-22) (Sherbrooke)
Running time
28 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageFrench

The Pichenotte (French: La Pichenotte) is a Canadian short black comedy film, directed by Antoine Boulanger and released in 2026. The film stars Hugo Giroux as Stéphane, a grim reaper whose mission is confounded when he meets Huguette (Carmen Sylvestre), an elderly woman who is ready and willing, yet persistently unable, to die.

The cast also includes Michel Courtemanche and Roger Ouellette in supporting roles.

Made as Boulanger's student project while studying film at Concordia University, the film was inspired in part by his father, who has struggled with his mental health and undertaken more than one suicide attempt. Its title derives from Stéphane making his decisions about life or death with the flick of a finger, as in the game of pichenotte.

It was shot in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in 2024.

The film premiered in April 2026 at the Sherbrooke World Film Festival, and was later screened in the Fantastic Weekends of Quebec Cinema program at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival.

Awards

Award Date of ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Sherbrooke World Film Festival 2026 Prix Pierre-Javaux Antoine Boulanger Won
Audience Choice Won
Student Academy Awards Narrative Films Competition silver

References