20th MIBFF: SPIKE LEE IS BACK AT THE MONTREAL INTL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL + 100 FILMS FROM 30 COUNTRIES!
The 20th annual Montreal Intl Black Film Festival – #MIBFF24 – is back with bold, diverse, innovative and impactful programming highlighting the tales and events that have challenged conventions, left a distinctive mark on our times, and changed how we see the world.
FILMS STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Patti Labelle, Marcus Miller, Frederic Pierre, Gessica Généus, Mireille Metellus, Marie-Evelyne Lessard, Jean Jean, Emmanuel Kabongo, Fayolle Jean, Catherine Souffront, Mishael Morgan, Lovell Adams-Gray, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Malaika Uwamahoro, Francia Marquez, Richard Marx, Roberta Flack, Lisa Fischer, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Lonnie Bunch, Mike Shine, Karsten Warholm, Andre Philips, Michael Johnson, Daley Thompson, Nick Cave, Jack Cave, Bob Faust and more!
The Full Program, All Access Passes & Individual Tickets at MontrealBlackFilm.com
The 20th Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF), will be held from September 25 to 29, 2024
Montreal, September 6, 2024 – The Montreal International Black Film Festival has unveiled the programming for its 20th year, which will be held from September 25 – 29, 2024. 100 films from 30 countries to inspire you to see the world differently and take action! MIBFF is thrilled to welcome back Spike Lee for the 4th time; this time as the Honorary President and for an intimate conversation where festivalgoers get to hear the Academy Award-winning director discuss his journey as a filmmaker/producer as well as his views on today’s political and socio-economic environment.
Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, Canada’s largest Black Film Festival, the MIBFF returns for a breathtaking 20th year that promises to entertain but most importantly to inspire through thought-provoking films. The Festival, which started out as a Haitian Film Festival 20 years ago, is proud to highlight several powerful and inspiring Haitian films & series this year. 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.
Besides Spike Lee’s intimate talk, the program features 100 films among which 6 World premieres, 5 International premieres, 10 North American premieres, 13 Canadian premieres and 39 Quebec premieres; the MIBFF Black Market space dedicated to the cinema industry; the very popular FCF’s Being Black in Canada short film series; the impactful MIBFF in the Neighborhoods and the Pop-Up Market. Among the countries represented: Canada, Italy, Colombia, USA, Qatar, Haiti, Sierra Leone, France, Kenya, French Guiana, Martinique, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Somalia, Cameroon, Switzerland, Senegal, Ecuador, Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, Mexico, Democratic Republic of Congo, Curacao, and the Netherlands.
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: Le dernier repas (The Last Meal), Salem, Rouge, Luther: Never Too Much, Moses: 13 Steps, Sway, Madame Luna, Igualada, Fight Like a Girl, Kidnapping and many more!
OPENING NIGHT GALA WITH SPIKE LEE – HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE 20TH MIBFF
Presented by the Fabienne Colas Foundation & the Foundation for Black Communities
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 – L’Olympia
6 p.m.: Cocktail + VIP Meet & Greet | 7:30 p.m.: Conference
$31 & $48 (Gen. Admission) | $148 (VIP)
Spike Lee like you’ve never heard him before in Montreal! Coinciding with 35 years since the release of Do the Right Thing and celebrating his 45-year career, the MIBFF Black-Market Series is honored to present an Intimate Conversation with Spike Lee at its Opening Night Gala. A privileged moment with the legendary director of Do the Right Thing, She’s Gotta Have It, Malcolm X and Blackkklansman. Regular & VIP Tickets are available on the Festival’s website.
An intimate conference where Academy Award Winner Spike Lee will discuss his journey as a filmmaker, writer, actor and producer; his take and advice on filmmaking; how he sees the future of Black films and diversity off/on screen; his political views on what will be a historic U.S. election with potentially the first Black Woman President: Kamala Harris; as well as his view on today’s social-economic issues. Hosted by the Festival’s founder Fabienne Colas, the conversation will follow a video retrospective of Spike Lee’s career showcasing his outstanding contribution to the film industry and his consistent pursuit of redefining the role of Black talent off and on screen.
“20 years in the life of a Black Film Festival feels like 100 years!!! Welcoming the iconic Spike Lee for the 4th time at the Montreal Intl Black Film Festival and as the Honorary President of the 20th edition this year is a true privilege and quite a coup for the Festival and for Montréal! We hope to inspire the next generation of filmmakers to push the envelope and raise their voices for everything they believe in! And what a privilege to be able to continue to showcase exceptional work that doesn’t always make it to the silver screen. By giving a voice to the marginalized and showing films that shatter taboos, our festival’s aim is to promote professional collaboration, foster systemic changes in the industry and the development of independent films – while celebrating diversity off & on screen. – Enjoy your Festival! – Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the MIBFF
This 20th edition program covers important topics such as family, history, traditions, murder/mystery, mental health, social issues, racism and discrimination, climate change, politics and resistance, women’s issues/empowerment, sports, music/dance/art, romance, LGBTQ+, Black representation, comedy, migration/displacement, science fiction/Afrofuturism, identity.
The MIBFF All Access Passes and individual tickets are on sale now on the Festival’s website.
CLOSING FILM – THE VILLAGE NEXT TO PARADISE
By Mo Harawe – Official Selection of Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard
Presented by Brian Bronfman Family Foundation & Peace Days (Peace Network for Social Harmony)
Sunday, September 29, 2024 – 5 p.m. | Concordia University Theatre | $20
The festival will close with the Quebec premiere of The Village Next to Paradise (Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard). In a windy Somali village, a newly assembled family must navigate between their different aspirations and the complex world surrounding them. Love, trust and resilience will power them through their life paths.
SPOTLIGHT ON HAITIAN REALITIES
September 26 – 28, 2024 | Various venues
Throughout the festival, the 20th annual Montreal Intl Black Film Festival is proud to showcase Haitian realities through some powerful films and series, among them:
- Le Dernier Repas, Maryse Legagneur (Special event)
- Kidnapping, Bruno Mourral (Special event)
- Lakay Nou, created by Frédéric Pierre (Special event)
- Les âmes bossales, François Perlier
- Someone’s Trying to Get In, Colin Nixon
- Kanaval (retrospective), Henri Pardo
- Cette maison (retrospective), Myriam Charles
- Mémoire Métissée (retrospective), Catherine Adams
MOVIE DISCUSSION – LAKAY NOU
Created by Frederic Pierre
In collaboration with Radio-Canada
Friday, September 27, 2024 – 7 p.m. | Cinema Quartier Latin | $12
The festival will pay homage to the historic and game-changing TV series Lakay Nou – the first TV Series with a predominantly Black cast on Quebec Television (Nominated for 6 Gémeaux Awards). This special event will present the first episode of the series, followed by an intimate conversation with the cast. Season 2 of Lakay Nou will be released in 2025.
THE MIBFF BLACK MARKET
Presented by Festwave Institute – Funded by the Foundation for Black Communities, Canadian Heritage, SODEC, Telefilm Canada
Saturday, September 28, 2024 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Afromusée & Facebook | Free Admission
The MIBFF Industry Series brings together renowned local and international professionals, to share cutting-edge ideas and real-world experience on critical filmmaking issues. Through in-person and online discussions, the series fosters collaborations, cross-border artistic exchanges, and promotes entrepreneurship in filmmaking. It offers professionals and aspiring filmmakers opportunities for networking, career development, and gaining valuable tools, especially in the context of limited diversity in Quebec’s film industry. Beyond Industry-focused panels, the MIBFF also hosts community panel discussions addressing societal issues impacting Black communities, fostering capacity building, understanding, awareness, and networking.
Opening Night Gala
An Intimate Evening with Spike Lee (preceded by a retrospective video)
In-Person English and French Panels & Workshops
- Simulating A Dubbing Session – Presented by Festwave Institute (French only)
- 20 Years of Advocating for Black Voices in the Film Industry – The Evolution of Black Cinema: Past, Present, and Future
- Breaking Barriers: Representation and Diversity in Casting
- Afrofuturism and Black Speculative Fiction in Black Cinema
Online
- How to Create a Pitch Deck that Will Sell
- The Cinema of a Forgotten Giant: Oscar Micheaux, Vaudeville, Theater and the New York Entertainment Scene. (French & English)
FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts (as well as SODEC and Montreal Arts Council for the Montreal cohorts)
Thursday, September 26, 2024 – 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. | Cinéma du Parc | $12
Approximately 30 Canadian short films from the 2023 cohort will be presented at #MIBFF24! The FCF’s Being Black in Canada Program (BBIC) is a professional training program that supported 27 Black Canadian Filmmakers from 18 to 30 years old last year from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver in the creation of documentary short films. BBIC is a vital step on the road towards representation and racial equity, on-screen and behind the camera. This unique project ensures to continue inspiring emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and will change the face of the Canadian Film Industry.
MIBFF IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS
Presented by the Fabienne Colas Foundation & Canadian Heritage
September 26 – 29, 2024 | Free Admission
This initiative allows the youth and the general audience to have free access to films created by members of the Black communities. The screenings will be followed by a 60-minute discussion with filmmakers.
- 26 – 6:30 p.m.: Maison de la culture de Côtes-des-Neiges, Movie-talk: Mémoires métissées by Katherine Adams and Je suis la France by Sarah El Attar
- 27 – 3:00 p.m.: Cinéma public, Cette Maison by Miryam Charles
- 28 – 6:30 p.m.: Maison d’Haiti, Kanaval by Henri Pardo
- 29 – 11:30 a.m.: Afromusée, Family event: La quête de Lumie. TV series starring afro-Canadian Children followed by a discussion with the production team
- 29 – 1:30 p.m.: Afromusée, Movie-talk: Inspiré par Mandela by Guy Masagalusha + guided tour of the museum
SPOTLIGHT ON OTHER BLACK ART FORMS – POP-UP MARKET
Saturday, September 28, 2024 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Afromusée | Free Admission
The Pop-up Market aims to feature talented Black Artists and highlight their original, artistic, and cultural works. Other Black Art Forms include painting, hairdressing, fashion, decoration, jewelry, accessories, and traditional adornments.
JURY MEMBERS
Narrative Features: Gavin Seal, Reda Lahmouid, Bogdan Anifrani-Fedach
Documentary Features: Phylis Gooden, Paul Rothé, Jean-Claude Bustros
Medium Length and Short Films: Josa Maule, Sandra Mathieu, Élie Michaud-Alexis
TICKETS & PASSES*
VIP+ All Access In-Person Pass (LIMITED QUANTITY) 249$
In-Person All Access Pass 119$
Online All Access Pass 79$
Closing Film 20$
Regular Film Ticket 12$
Opening Night Gala with Spike Lee $31 & $48 (REG) or $148 (VIP) – See website for details.
*Fees: Prices subject to service charges and taxes
VENUES
L’Olympia: 1004 Sainte-Catherine Street E.
Cinéma du Parc: 3575 du Parc Avenue
Cinéma du Musée: 1379-A Sherbrooke Street W.
Concordia Theatre (Concordia University Sgwu Alumni Auditorium): 1455 de Maisonneuve Street W.
Quartier Latin: 350 Émery Street
Cinéma Public: 505 Jean-Talon Street E.
Maison d’Haïti : 3245 Émile-Journault Ave
Afromusée : 533 Ontario Street E.
Maison de la culture de Côte-des-Neiges : 5290 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
The 20th annual Montreal International Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, will be held from September 25 to 29, 2024
www.MontrealBlackFilm.com
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About the Montreal International Black Film Festival
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. MIBFF’s 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!
About the Fabienne Colas Foundation
The Fabienne Colas Foundation is Canada’s largest Black cultural organization. Created in 2005, the FCF is a not-for-profit artistic organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in Cinema, Art, and Culture in Canada and abroad. Along with Zaza production, the Fabienne Colas Foundation is also the creator of Festwave Institute and 12 Festivals, including the highly successful Montreal Black Film Festival, the hugely popular Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival as well as several other successful Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. These initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 10,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festival goers. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black filmmakers.
Source: Montreal International Black Film Festival #MIBFF24
Media Contact: Véronique Fecteau, 514-893-0772 – veronique@festwave.com
