Karnaval is set against a backdrop of intolerance and hostility in the gloomy Northern French city of Dunkirk. The story is set during carnival time, when the citizens let themselves loose for six weeks of partying, carousing and having a good time. The film centers on Larbi, an Arab youth, and his confrontation with one of the turning points of his life. After a violent argument with his father, Larbi decides to leave the family's business and go to Marseilles for a fresh start. On his last night in the town he grew up in, he sleeps in the hallway of an apartment building, where he is disturbed by Béa and Christian, a couple having fun at the carnival. Larbi is attracted to Béa and decides to stay a few more days to try his luck. In the free atmosphere of the carnival, Larbi discovers a world that he did not know existed, a world which is about to clash with his conservative outlook, and the three lives are changed forever.
| Directing | Thomas Vincent | Director |
| Production | Mat Troi Day | Production Manager |
| Writing | Maxime Sassier | Writer |
| Production | Pierre-Alain Meier | Co-Producer |
| Production | Alain Rozanés | Producer |
| Production | Pascal Verroust | Producer |
| Sound | Krishna Levy | Original Music Composer |
| Camera | Dominique Bouilleret | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Olivier Gallois | Director of Photography |
| Camera | Colin Houben | Director of Photography |
| Editing | Pauline Dairou | Editor |
| Production | Nathalie Chéron | Casting |
| Art | André Fonsny | Production Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Raphaelle Debattice | Costume Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Anne Fournier | Costume Design |
| Costume & Make-Up | Mabi Anzalone | Makeup Artist |
| Costume & Make-Up | Elizabeth Delesalle | Makeup Artist |
| Costume & Make-Up | Lélia Delval | Makeup Artist |
| Sound | Amaury de Nexon | Sound |
| Sound | Olivier Dô Hùu | Sound Mixer |
| Writing | Thomas Vincent | Writer |