Lac-Mégantic: This Is Not an Accident () is a Canadian documentary television series, directed by Philippe Falardeau and released in 2023.Leo Barraclough, "‘Lac-Megantic: This Is Not an Accident,’ From Oscar Nominee Philippe Falardeau, Debuts Trailer Ahead of Canneseries, Hot Docs Premieres". Variety, March 20, 2023. The series centres on the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster of 2013, profiling both the bureaucratic failures that allowed the disaster to happen and the regulatory inaction that has hampered efforts to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.Charles Rioux, "Lac-Mégantic : ceci n’est pas un accident, le puzzle ultracomplexe de la tragédie". Ici Radio-Canada, May 2, 2023.
The series premiered at the 2023 Canneseries festival,Kelly Townsend, "Bon matin Chuck, Lac-Mégantic docuseries selected at Canneseries". Playback, March 28, 2023. and was screened at the 2023 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival,Barry Hertz, "At Hot Docs 2023, the Lac-Mégantic tragedy is explored from every angle imaginable". The Globe and Mail, April 26, 2023. in advance of its television premiere on May 2, 2023, on Vidéotron's Vrai streaming platform for documentaries.
Reception Critical response Andrew Parker of TheGATE.ca praised the series, writing that Falardeau "masterfully paces everything and finds every possible piece necessary to form a comprehensive picture of grief, corporate malfeasance, and governmental shortcomings that protect corporations more than they do everyday citizens."Andrew Parker, "Hot Docs 2023 Review: Lac-Mégantic – This is Not an Accident". TheGATE.ca, April 27, 2023.
Awards Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2023 Hot Docs Audience Award "‘Someone Lives Here’ takes home top prize at Hot Docs film festival". Toronto Star, May 8, 2023. Gémeaux Awards 2024 Best Direction in a Documentary Series Philippe Falardeau Élise Jetté, "Le Bye Bye 2023 remporte 6 trophées au Gala de l’industrie des prix Gémeaux 2024". Ici Radio-Canada, September 14, 2024. Best Writing in a Documentary Series Philippe Falardeau, Nancy Guerin Best Photography, Documentary or Public Affairs Nicolas Bolduc, Erik Ljung, Tobie Marier Robitaille, Sara Mishara, Alexia Toman, Van Royko, André Turpin Best Editing, Documentary or Public Affairs Elric Robichon Best Research Amélie Nadeau, Nancy Guerin, Catherine Hébert, Laurent K. Blais, Ghislain O’Prêtre
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