MARTIN LUTHER KING III
Eldest Son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. &
Human Rights activist and political leader
TO RECEIVE THE 2015 HUMANITARIAN AWARD
At 11th Annual Montreal International Black Film Festival
Opening Night – Tuesday September 29, 7PM, Imperial Theatre | $25
Tickets on sale now at www.montrealblackfilm.com
Montreal International Black Film Festival – created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation
presented by Global News Montreal – September 29 to October 4, 2015
Montreal, Wednesday September 14, 2015 – Human rights advocate, community activist and political leader Martin Luther King III will receive the 2015 Humanitarian Award at the 11th Montreal International Black Film Festival on Tuesday September 29 at 7PM at Imperial Theatre. This tribute coincides with the 50th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery led by his father Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King III is carrying the family torch and pursuing equality and justice for all people. The MIBFF is thrilled to grant him this prestigious award in recognition of his involvement in significant policy initiatives to maintain the fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, in the US and abroad.
Fabienne Colas, the festival president and founder, will present him with the award on opening night. “It is a tremendous honor and a real privilege for all of us to welcome such an extraordinary activist and leader. Granting him this award is symbolic for us since it commemorates the 50th anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery led by his father.”
The tribute to Martin Luther King III on September 29 will be followed by the Quebec premiere of the opening film, Ben Patterson’s SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT hosted by the film’s producer, Pras Michel, Grammy Award-winner and founder of the Fugees.
MOVIE-TALK: THE POWER OF NON-VIOLENCE
On the following day, Wednesday, September 30, 7PM at D.B. Clarke Theatre (Concordia), a panel discussion on The Power of Non-Violence: An interfaith perspective on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place with guest of honor, Martin Luther King III. Hosted by Laura Gallo, the panel includes: Reverend Darryl Gray, Special assistant to the national president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference – Atlanta; Dr. Victor Goldbloom, President of the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Montreal; Afra Jalabi, Journalist and peace activist; Thupten Jinpa Langri, Writer and English translator to the Dalai Lama.
The Power of Non-Violence panel discussion, organized for the International Day of Peace, will follow the screening of SELMA by director Ava Duvernay. Starring David Oyelowo, Selma tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic struggle to secure voting rights for all people.
“The Montreal International Black Film Festival is more than just a festival. It exposes viewers to international Black realities through cinema and other forms of expression. We want the festival to raise awareness on Black history and to create a place for inspiration, education and development both for the filmmakers and the audience.” – Emile Castonguay, Programming Director and co-founder of the Festival.
Presented by the Peace Grantmakers Network – in collaboration with Consulate general of the United States in Montreal, Concordia University, Global News Montreal, The Suburban, the Fabienne Colas Foundation
These two events with Martin Luther King III are part of the MIBFF Special American Program with the generous support of the Consulate general of the United States in Montreal.
MARTIN LUTHER KING III – BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
As the oldest son of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Luther King III, is carrying the family torch and pursuing equality and justice for all people.
A human rights advocate, community activist and a political leader, King has been actively involved in significant policy initiatives to maintain the fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, at home and abroad. Utilizing the principles of Kingian nonviolence, King quietly exercised negotiation and persuasion to reach a compromise between Georgia legislators and leaders to change the state flag that was an offensive and divisive symbol for many Georgians.
On the 44th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, Martin Luther King III gave a new meaning to the date, addressing youth violence prevention as a public health issue. April 4th Revisited: saving Lives, Building Dreams was an initiative launched in collaboration with the CDC-funded Prevention Institute as a call-to-action to build momentum for non- violence and peaceful communities nationwide.
The 11th Montreal International Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, will be held from September 29 to October 4, 2015 and is brought to you by Global News Montreal.
About the Montreal International Black Film Festival – MIBFF
The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) was created in 2005 by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cinema, art and culture. As Canada’s biggest Black Film Festival, MIBFF’s mission is to stimulate the development of the independent film industry and to foster the creation of films on international black realities. The Festival wants to promote a different kind of cinema: cinema from both here and abroad that doesn’t always make it to the silver screen. We showcase ground-breaking cinema that both moves and shocks us, all while raising awareness. Join us for a fresh look at black cinema from all four corners of the globe! www.montrealblackfilm.com
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For information, interviews and promotional material:
Media Relations Manager: Talar Adam – presse@montrealblackfilm.com – (514) 833-0274
English Press Agent: Danny Payne – danny@montrealblackfilm.com – (514) 621-8657
