This Monday, January 12 at 9 PM, France 4 will air the documentary "Once Upon a Time... The Triumph of Fantasy", a 90-minute film that traces the history of fantasy through literature, cinema, series, role-playing games, video games, and music.
Designed as a grand immersive journey, the film shows how fantasy has evolved from a marginal genre to a global phenomenon, reflecting our fears, dreams, and struggles.
Trolls & Legends, a natural setting for fantasy
Among the many locations filmed, Trolls & Legends holds a prominent place.
Several sequences of the documentary were filmed at the festival, at the heart of the fantasy market, concerts, the BD & literature hub, and the aisles filled with cosplayers, artisans, and enthusiasts.
It showcases what makes the festival's DNA: the meeting between creators and audiences, the diversity of universes (music, comics, novels, games, visual arts), and this unique atmosphere where fantasy leaves the pages and screens to become a lived experience.
When the documentary seeks to illustrate what it means to "live fantasy in the real world," the cameras turn to Trolls & Legends. It is a strong sign of the festival's place in the landscape of the imaginary.
Familiar guests... and a well-known face
Many speakers in the documentary are among the authors, artists, and actors of the imaginary that Trolls & Legends has welcomed over the years.
Whether they are writers, illustrators, musicians, or fantasy specialists, many have already signed, performed, or interacted with the audience in Mons. The documentary thus extends, on screen, encounters that have already taken place at the festival.
We are also proud to announce that Pascal Leroy, coordinator of Trolls & Legends, is among those interviewed.
He can be seen throughout the documentary, discussing his experience of the festival, his relationship with fantasy, and the role of festivals in this universe.
Trolls & Legends, a reference festival for fantasy
By combining numerous images filmed at Trolls & Legends, the presence of many guests who have already passed through the festival, and the intervention of our coordinator, "Once upon a time... the triumph of Fantasy" clearly acknowledges the status of Trolls & Legends as a reference festival when it comes to discussing fantasy in the French-speaking world.
The documentary reminds us that fantasy is not limited to great sagas and blockbusters: it also thrives thanks to festivals, communities, and encounters that animate it throughout the year. Trolls & Legends appears as one of these essential places.
Where and when to watch the documentary?
- First TV broadcast:
on January 12, 2026, starting at 9:00 PM, on France 4. - Already available for streaming:
on the France.tv platform (unfortunately not available for Belgians), at this address:
Watch "Once upon a time... the triumph of Fantasy" on France.tv
Whether you are a regular at the festival or just discovering our universe, this documentary is an ideal opportunity to dive back into the history of fantasy, recognize familiar faces and places, measure the journey the genre has taken... and by Trolls & Legends.
The documentary streaming