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HARRIET TUBMAN’S BIOPIC, HARRIET,HARRIET TUBMAN’S BIOPIC, HARRIET,OPENS THE 15TH MONTREAL INTL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL + 90 FILMS FROM 25 COUNTRIES

MIBFF celebrates a milestone year welcoming and paying tribute to: Euzhan Palcy, Isaach De Bankolé, Jimmy Jean-Louis,The Central Park Five’s Yusef Salaam & Kevin Richardson and Jean-Claude Lord
Canada’s biggest black film festival returns for a breathtaking 15th year that promises to inspire through a strong, diverse, and bold programming which highlights the tales and events that have challenged conventions, left a distinctive mark on our times, and changed how we see the world.
Full program and tickets: www.montrealblackfilm.com

The 15th Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Quebecor, will be held from September 24 to 29, 2019 Montreal, August 29, 2019 – Canada’s biggest black film festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), has unveiled the programming for its 15th year, which will be held from September 24 to 29, 2019. Moviegoers will get the chance to watch 90 uncut, quality films from 25 countries. MIBFF is honoured to open the festival with Harriet Tubman’s long awaited biopic, HARRIET. The film, directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Tony-winning Broadway actor Cynthia Erivo, will be a Quebec Premiere at the Montreal International Black Film Festival following its world premiere at TIFF.

MIBFF’s mission remains, as always, to give minorities a voice on and off screen and to shine the spotlight on diversity within the industry by presenting a rich and bold program. This year the festival will pay tribute to Euzhan Palcy, César winning director and the only Black female filmmaker to have directed Marlon Brando; César winning actor Isaach De Bankolé; Iconic Quebec filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord; and Haitian-American Hollywood star Jimmy Jean-Louis. As well as Yusef Salaam & Kevin Richardson of the The Central Park Five whose story was told in Ava Duvernay’s Emmy Award nominated Netflix series, When They See Us.

The 15th annual MIBFF promises to entertain but most importantly to inspire through thought-provoking films. The program features a record 90 films, among some of which are World, International, North American, Canadian or Quebec Premieres; the MIBFF Black Market space dedicated to the cinema industry; and presenting the MIBFF Kids Program. One of the highlight events is an initiative from The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth & Diversity Program: Being Black in Canada. Fifteen emerging Canadian directors (18-30 years old), from black communities of Montreal, Toronto and Halifax, will screen their first short documentary films – produced through the program – as World Premieres.

 

“We created this festival in 2005 in order to showcase filmmakers who otherwise wouldn’t be seen or heard in Montreal. By giving a voice to the marginalized and showing films that shatter taboos, our festival’s aim is to promote professional collaboration and foster the development of independent film. Today, our focus is to go beyond ‘awareness’ with concrete ‘actions’ to foster the inclusion of diversity off and on camera! The MIBFF is more than ever looking to the future by empowering the next generation of black filmmakers.” – Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the MIBFF.

Our absolute favorites are inspiring stories that combine cultural heritage, the struggle against injustice, and inequality with passion, determination, strength, and great feats. You don’t want to miss: Harriet, Princess of the Row; Ellen: The Ellen Pakkies Story; Jim Button and The Engine Driver; Unarmed Man; Subira; Wheels; Mabata Bata; Rwanda; The Tokoloshe; Césaire vs Aragon; While I Breathe, I Hope; No promised Land; Rumba in the Jungle; Dilili à Paris, Restless and many more!

OPENING FILM: HARRIET

+ TRIBUTE TO EUZHAN PALCY & JEAN-CLAUDE LORD

Presented by Quebecor

By Kasi Lemmons

Tuesday, September 24, 7PM | Imperial Theatre | $25 | Quebec Premiere

Kasi Lemmons’ HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.
Harriet will be screening at MIBFF following its World Premiere at TIFF. This long awaited biopic will hit theatres across Canada on November 1 (distributed by Universal Pictures Canada).
The MIBFF’s Opening Film screening will be preceded by a tribute to French Caribbean trailblazer and Cesar-winning Filmmaker Euzhan Palcy, and Québécois legendary filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord, who will both receive the The Montreal Intl Black Film Festival’s 2019 Pioneer Award. Palcy is the first woman and the second person to receive the MIBFF’s Pioneer Award after Spike Lee.

MOVIE-TALK WITH EUZHAN PALCY

RETROSPECTIVE OF HER FILMS: SUGAR CANE ALLEY + A DRY WHITE SEASON + Q&A

Co-Presented by TV5

Monday, September 23, 5:30PM & 8PM | Cinémathèque québécoise | $20 per film

Specials presentation of her two historic films, intimate discussions and anecdotes with a pioneer woman filmmaker who has marked the history of cinema: Euzhan Palcy. When she directed Sugar Cane Alley (Rue Cases Nègres) in 1983, Euzhan Palcy put the French Caribbean on the cinematography map, winning The Silver Lion, Best Actress Award at the Venice International Film Festival and a Cesar (French Oscar), breaking the directorial glass ceiling in French cinema. She continued her journey as a film trailblazer in 1989 with A Dry White Season (also starring Marlon Brando, Susan Sarandon, Donald Sutherland), a bracing drama made at the height of apartheid and in so doing became the first black female director produced by a Hollywood studio, MGM/ UA. Among her other films is the colorful musical fantasy Siméon.

BEING BLACK IN CANADA

From the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Diversity Program

Wednesday, September 25, 7PM-11PM | Cinéma du Parc | $20

Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Being Black in Canada, an initiative from The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Youth & Diversity Program, supported 15 Canadians, 18 to 30 years old, from black communities in Montreal, Toronto and Halifax in the creation of 15 short documentary films (8 to 10 minutes). The filmmakers received professional coaching for each stage of the audiovisual production process then made a short documentary film under the tutelage of industry professionals. A unique project that ensures inspiring emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds.

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH YUSEF SALAAM & KEVIN RICHARDSON OF THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE

& SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD

Featured in Ava Duvernay’s Netflix Emmy-Nominated Series, When They See Us

Thursday, September 26, 7PM | Imperial Cinema | $30 (GA) – $75 (VIP)

It’s a privilege to pay tribute to and welcome for an intimate talk, motivational speaker Kevin Richardson and Yusef Salaam (for a second time at the Festival) who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2014 and received the President’s Life Time Achievement Award in 2016 from President Barack Obama.
On April 19, 1989, a young woman in the prime of her life was brutally raped and left for dead in New York City’s Central Park. Five boys were tried and convicted of the crime in a frenzied case that rocked the city. Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise became known collectively as “The Central Park Five.” Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after spending between seven (7) and thirteen (13) years of their lives behind bars. The unidentified DNA in the Central Park Jogger Case, unlinked to any of the five, had finally met its owner, a convicted murderer and serial rapist who confessed. The convictions of the boys, now men, were overturned and they were exonerated. In 2014, they received a multi-million-dollar settlement from the city of New York for its grievous injustice against them. Their story is featured in Ava Duvernay’s Emmy-nominated Netflix Series When They See Us.
Moderated by Fabienne Colas, Actress, Filmmaker, Activist, MIBFF President & Founder.

AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION WITH ISAACH DE BANKOLÉ

& CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Presented by Quebecor and Global NewsSaturday, September 28, 7PM | Imperial Theatre | $30 (GA) – $75 (VIP)

The legendary Isaach De Bankolé in Montréal! Screening of his career’s highlights, followed by the presentation of the 2019 MIBFF Career Achievement Award! Then, we’ll dive into an intimate conversation, where he will discuss his life, his path full of pitfalls, will share his views on the state of diversity and inclusion on screen and his advice to actors who want to go to Hollywood and more. A privileged moment with the César award winning (Black Mic Mac) actor from Ivory Coast, who is also a recipient of French Legion d’Honneur! He was featured in Black Panther, Shaft (alongside Samuel L. Jackson), Snakeater, Miami Vice, Casino Royale, How To Make Love To A Negro Without Getting Tired, adapted from Dany Laferrière’s first novel.
Moderated by Fabienne Colas, Actress, Filmmaker, MIBFF President & Founder

MOVIE TALK: FROM HAITI TO HOLLYWOOD WITH JIMMY JEAN-LOUIS& CAREER ACHEIVEMENT AWARD

Co-Presented by TV5 and Festival Haiti en Folie

Friday, September 27, 9PM | Cinéma du Musée | $20

An intimate evening with the successful Haitian-American actor in Hollywood: Jimmy Jean-Louis! Screening of the film DESRANCES by Appoline Traoré, followed by an intimate talk about his career paths and secrets of success. Moderated by Fabienne Colas, Actress, Filmmaker, MIBFF President & Founder
Haitian-born actor Jimmy Jean-Louis grew up in the slums of Pétion-Ville until age 12, to become a Hollywood celebrity. Earlier in his career, Jimmy worked as a dancer and a model in France, Spain, Italy, South Africa and England. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998 to pursue acting. His credits include “Tears of the sun” (Bruce Willis), “Phat Girlz” (Mo’Nique), NBC Hit show “Heroes”, CW show “Arrow”, CBS “Extant” with Oscar winner Halle Berry produced by Steven Spielberg. More recently, he was part of the cast of “Joy” with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro directed by David O Russell and a regular on the TV show “CLAWS” for TNT. His most important role to date is playing the title character in “Toussaint Louverture” and won BEST ACTOR at the Pan African Film Festival. He has taken part in a series of campaigns for Haitian aid. He was an invited singer on the Quincy Jones project “We Are The World 25” to benefit humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti, after the earthquake of 2010.

 

THE MIBFF BLACK MARKET

Co-presented by Téléfilm Canada, Conseil des Arts du Canada, Conseil des Arts et des Lettre du Québec

September 27, 28 & 29 | Grande Bibliothèque and Cinéma du Musée

Black Market Pass $79 or Individual Ticket $20

If you want to succeed in the film industry, the MIBFF Black Market returns with master classes, conferences and workshops that you won’t want to miss. Established Canadian and International filmmakers will share their knowledge and experiences of film creation, financing, production, distribution, the festival circuit, how to take the leap to Hollywood and more. Over three days, aspiring filmmakers will get to rub elbows with industry leaders at various panels, workshops and discussions. For full descriptions, bios of panelists and tickets: www.MontrealBlackFilm.com

MIBFF KIDS PROGRAM

Sunday, September 29, 10AM till 3PM | Cinema du Parc

The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) is thrilled to be presenting the MIBFF Kids Program! MIBFF Kids Program wants to inspire and empower children through the discovery of filmmaking, animation, story-telling and more. The Festival wants to offer kids a cool environment where they can learn, be creative and express themselves in a fun way while being exposed to black history and black stories.

Free Program

As part of Les Journées de la Culture – in collaboration with Cinema du Parc & NFB

⦁ Dilili à Paris by Michel Ocelot, (France, Belgium, Germany)

⦁ Âme Noire by and followed by a Discussion with Martine Chartrand

⦁ Macpherson by and followed by a Discussion with Martine Chartrand

Paid Program$12 Adult | $6 Kids (12 years and under) – Proof of age may be requested on site.

⦁ Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver by Dennis Gansel (Germany)⦁ Wash Day by Jaida Salmon (Canada)⦁ Substance by Jamaal Bradley (USA)

AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION WITH JEAN-CLAUDE LORD

Sunday, September 29, 3PM | Grande Bibliothèque | $20
The legendary filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord will sit for an intimate talk on diversity on screen in Quebec and will be sharing his journey with the audience. He is best known for Les colombes, La grenouille et la baleine, Lance et Compte, Visiting Hours (starring William Shatner and Michael Ironside) and many others. However, for us at the Montreal Intl Black Film Festival, he is mostly known for being a big supporter of diversity; for casting black actors in lead roles in Lance et compte (1986); and for casting a black actress, Linda Malo, as the lead character in the crime and investigation TV series Jasmine (1996), it was historic in Quebec – at a time when «diversity» and «inclusion» were not very fashionable words. Lord will also be receiving the MIBFF 2019 Pioneer Award alongside Euzhan Palcy on Opening Night.

CLOSING FILM – ELLEN: THE ELLEN PAKKIES STORY& AWARD CEREMONY

Presented by the Fabienne Colas Foundation

By Daryne JoshuaSunday, September 29, 7PM | Cinéma du Musée | $20 | Quebec Premiere

Based on true events, Ellen tells of the troubled relationship between a mother and her drug-addicted son – a relationship that will eventually drive her to the edge and lead to his murder. In 2007, the death of 20 year old Abie Pakkies created a stir in South Africa and the world. The most disturbing part of the case was that the murderer was his mother, Ellen. The powerful film Ellen was South Africa’s choice for the 2019 Golden Globes.

 

SPOKESPEOPLE

Author, composer, singer, and actor Manuel Tadros, Congo born French-Québécois comedian Eddy King and actress Marie-Evelyne Lessard are spokespeople for this 15th edition.

JURY MEMBERS

Narrative features: Danny Blanco Hall, Rosana Roth, Jean Jean, Sarah Spring, Tommy GroszmanFeature documentaries: Don Jordan, Vanessa Tatjana Beerli, Pedro RuizMid-Length and short films: Phyllis Gooden, Josa Maule, Stefan Verna

TICKETS & PASSES*

⦁ VIP Card Total Access: VIP Package – See details on website: $299

⦁ Passport Card :Access to all films at Cinéma du Parc + Cinémathèque Québécoise: $149

⦁ MIBFF Black Market Pass: $79
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS*:15% discount on regular individual film tickets: 25 year-old or under and 65 year-olds and older

Regular film ticket – $12 | Opening evening – $25 | Closing evening – $20 | MIBFF Kids Program $6 (12 years and under) – $12 (adult) | Black Market $20 (each)

For Individual prices of Intimate Talk with Special Guests, please visit www.montrealblackfilm.comFees: All prices are subject to services charges and taxes

VENUES

Cinéma Impérial: 1432, rue de Bleury, Montréal (Métro Place-des-Arts)

Cinéma du Parc: 3575, av. du Parc, Montréal (Métro Place des Arts)

Cinémathèque Québecoise: 335 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Est (Métro Berri UQAM)

Cinéma du Musée: 1379-A Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, (Métro Peel ou Guy-Concordia)

Grande Bibliothèque: 475 Boul. de Maisonneuve E, Montréal (Métro Berri-UQAM)

Cinémas Guzzo: Divers lieux / several locations. Details: www.MontrealBlackFilm.com

The 15th Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Quebecor, will be held from September 24 to 29, 2019.

About the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF)Created in 2005 by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) is currently the largest Canadian film festival entirely dedicated to black realities from all four corners of the world. It aims to offer the public the most spectacular productions in black cinema and debate the great cultural, social, and socio-economic issues facing society. The MIBFF goal is to promote the development of the independent film industry and showcase more films depicting black realities around the world. The festival seeks to prioritize local and international films that do not necessarily come under the spotlight, a new cinema that moves its audience and raises awareness – and a few eyebrows. In so doing, the MIBFF addresses issues and showcases art that makes you think and smile, provokes, bewilders, and shocks you – a new, fresh look at black cinema from all parts of the globe! www.montrealblackfilm.com  – 30 –

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To learn more, please visit: www.montrealblackfilm.com
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For Media Inquiries:Alex Nitsiou, Publicist | alex@raisondetremedia.ca | 514.443.3731Talar Adam, Press Relations Coordinator | press@MontrealBlackFilm.com | 514.833.0274