The 21st annual Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) – #MIBFF25 – is back with trailblazing, diverse, innovative, and impactful programming, highlighting the stories and events that have challenged conventions, left a distinctive mark on our times, and shaped our perspective of the world.
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Montreal, September 3, 2025 – Under the honorary presidency of Dany Laferrière, screenwriter, filmmaker, acclaimed author, and member of the Académie française, the 21st Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) will showcase 70 films from 20 countries, including close to 40 Canadian titles, alongside a rich lineup of industry events. Laferrière succeeds Spike Lee, who served as honorary president of the Festival’s 20th edition in 2024.
This year’s official selection spans an impressive range of genres and formats: fiction, documentaries, shorts, experimental works, comedies, and dramas. This year’s program spotlights the theme of adapting “books and plays for the screen”, exploring the transformation of literature and theatre into film, and celebrating the rich dialogue between literature and cinema. Through tributes, screenings, panels, and masterclasses, the Festival will examine how literary works evolve into powerful collective experiences.
The 21st MIBFF will also pay tribute to Dany Laferrière in celebration of his four-decade career. The honor coincides with three landmark anniversaries: 40 years since the release of his groundbreaking debut novel How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired (1985), which shook the literary world before reaching the big screen with Isaach de Bankolé and Maka Kotto in the lead roles; 10 years since his induction speech at the Académie française (2015); and 21 years since the release of his first feature-length original screenplay, How to Conquer America in One Night (2004). In recognition of his exceptional contribution to literature, cinema, and society, Laferrière will receive the 2025 MIBFF Lifetime Achievement Award.
Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the MIBFF is Canada’s largest Black Film Festival and the only bilingual (French/English) festival of its kind in North America. For the past 21 years, it has remained dedicated to amplifying Black voices on screen, offering a vital platform for filmmakers whose stories raise awareness, foster dialogue, and spark social change.
“This year, the 21st Montreal Intl Black Film Festival presents a vibrant program, a strong commitment to inclusion, and a wide range of works and perspectives. Honoring Dany Laferrière at this 21st MIBFF means celebrating literature transformed into cinema, and cinema that breathes new life into words. The MIBFF is more relevant than ever in today’s world. Through the selected films, we offer not only a mirror in which our communities can see themselves, but also a window onto realities too often left unseen. Cinema is a tool for dialogue, healing, and transformation: it allows us to share our stories, preserve them in our collective memory, and pass on a powerful cultural legacy. By amplifying the voices of Black filmmakers from here and around the world, we are helping to shape a fairer, more inclusive, and more diverse future.” – Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the MIBFF
OPENING NIGHT GALA: FILM & TRIBUTE
The Red Carpet Opening Night will take place at Théâtre Outremont at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24, with a first-time screening of HEDDA in Quebec, directed by Nia DaCosta, executive produced by Brad Pitt (United States). Tickets: $25, available on the festival website.
Acclaimed for Candyman and celebrated as the first Black woman to direct a Marvel film (The Marvels), Nia DaCosta delivers a daring, contemporary reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play. HEDDA (Tessa Thompson) is caught between the haunting ache of a lost love and the stifling silence of her present life. Over the course of one electrifying night, long-suppressed desires and hidden tensions explode, propelling Hedda and those around her into a whirlwind of manipulation, passion, and betrayal.
Following the screening of Hedda, a special tribute will be paid to Dany Laferrière.
CLOSING NIGHT: FILM & AWARD CEREMONY
The #MIBFF25 will close with the Quebec premiere of Yambo Ouologuem, LA BLESSURE, directed by Kalidou Sy (Senegal). The red-carpet screening will take place on September 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Cinéma du Musée, with the filmmaker in attendance. Following the screening, the director will take part in a Q&A session with the audience. https://www.montrealblackfilm.com, available on the festival’s website.
When Le devoir de violence was first published, Yambo Ouologuem was still an unknown author. Tackling the subject of slavery before colonization, the novel won the Prix Renaudot in 1968. As the first African laureate, Ouologuem experienced a meteoric rise… but just three years later, he was accused of plagiarism. This marked the beginning of his downfall. Retreating to his native village in Mali, he faded from public life. Through the voices of scholars and his family, the film seeks to unravel the enigma of Yambo Ouologuem. His tragic story embodies the complex relationship between France and its former colonies.
The closing film will be presented following the Awards Ceremony.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2025 PROGRAM INCLUDE
FILMS NOT TO BE MISSED
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Hedda – Nia DaCosta (USA)
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Snake – Meg Rickards (South Africa)
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A Melhor Mãe do Mundo (La meilleure maman du monde) – Anna Muylaert (Brazil)
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Village Keeper – Karen Chapman (sélection canadienne) (Canada)
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Katanga, la danse des scorpions – Dani Kouyaté (Burkina Faso)
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Frantz Fanon – Abdenour Zahzah (Algeria, France)
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Amakki (Ta maman) – Célia Boussebaa (Ethiopia)
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Of Mud and Blood – Jean-Gabriel Leynaud (D.R. Congo, France, Germany)
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We Want the Funk – Stanley Nelson & Nicole London (United States)
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Yambo Ouologuem, La blessure – Kalidou Sy (France, Senegal)
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Being Black in Canada Series – Collective directors (Canada)
CANADA IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The MIBFF celebrates Canadian cinema by shining a spotlight on Village Keeper by Karen Chapman, winner of the John Dunning Award for Best First Feature at the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards, an achievement that embodies the power of new voices and the universal resonance of local stories. This commitment to showcasing the richness of national creativity extends through the “Canadian Spotlight”, a special program created by the MIBFF to feature landmark works that explore Black experiences through a Canadian perspective. Presented outside of competition in Montreal as well as at the five other Black Film Festivals across Canada (Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver), this section represents a unique initiative: a cross-country tour bringing essential, impactful films to audiences nationwide.
FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.
September 25, 7PM | Cinéma du Parc | $12
Close to 30 Canadian short films from the 2024 cohort will be featured at #MIMFF25! The Being Black in Canada program is a professional training initiative that supported 27 Black Canadian filmmakers aged 18 to 30, last year, from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver, in creating short documentaries.
This program is a key step toward stronger representation and greater racial equity, both on screen and behind the camera. A unique project, which continues to inspire the next generation of culturally diverse talent, helping to transform Canada’s film industry landscape.
NOT TO BE MISSED WITH DANY LAFERRIÈRE
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Opening Night & Lifetime Achievement Award to Dany Laferrière
September 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m. | Théâtre Outremont | $25
(The tribute will follow the opening film)
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Master Class: “I Am a Camera: From Novel to Screen” with Dany Laferrière
September 26, 2025, 7:00 p.m. | Cinéma du Musée | $25
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Film Retrospective on the Work of Dany Laferrière – Online
September 24 – 28, 2025 | Link available on the website | All-access passes $79
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Book Signing & Sale of All Dany Laferrière’s Works
At the MIBFF POP-UP MARKET “Shining a Light on Other Forms of Black Arts”
September 27, 2025, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Théâtre Colas (3990 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal) | Free admission
THE MIBFF BLACK MARKET
Presented by The Festwave Institute and SODEC
September 25 au 27 | Afromusée, Cinéma Du Musée & Facebook | Free (registration only)
The MIBFF Black Market is entirely dedicated to industry professionals. Conferences, exchanges, and workshops will provide opportunities to address the realities of the film industry, confront ideas, and encourage the sharing of knowledge.
PANELS & WORKSHOPS
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September 25, 4PM | THE PITCH – Emerging Black Screenwriters Pitch Session (French only)
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September 27, 11AM | SPOTLIGHT STORIES: Jephté Bastien discusses his new film The Draft, in a special Q&A
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September 27, 1PM | WHAT IS THE INDUSTRY LOOKING FOR? A conversation with producers and industry insiders on the current trends, skills, and opportunities shaping the future of film and television.
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September 27, 3PM | WILL AI MAKE THE PROFESSION OF VOICE ACTOR DISAPPEAR? An interactive roundtable featuring industry leaders and AI experts.
Cinéma Du Musée
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September 26, 7PM | MASTER CLASS: “I Am a Camera: From Novel to Screen” with Dany Laferrière”
Online Panel
This online discussion will allow you to meet some of the Filmmakers of this edition.
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11 AM | Meet the MIBFF Filmmakers (ENG)
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2 PM | Rencontrez les cinéastes du FIFBM (FR)
MIBFF IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS
Presented by the Fabienne Colas Foundation
September 25-28, 2025 | Free Admission
As part of the 6th edition of the MIBFF dans les Quartiers, several free screenings will take place in Montreal in partnership with various cultural institutions. This initiative provides the youth and the general audience with free access to films created by members of the Black community. The screenings will be followed by a 60-minute discussion with the filmmakers.
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September 25 – 6:30 PM | In partnership with Maison de la culture Côte-des-Neiges | Au-delà des masques (Anebarou Abdel) and L’Afrique berceau de l’humanité et des civilisations modernes (Bénita Jacques), followed by a discussion moderated by Yvette Mbogo.
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September 26 – 7:00 PM | In partnership with the Centre des Arts of Maison d’Haïti | Father’s Day (Ayana O’Shun), addressing the phenomenon of absent fathers in Black communities, followed by a discussion with Lara Tippenhauer led by Sabine Daniel.
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September 27 – 1:00 PM | Cinéma Public | Circo (Lamia Chraibi), an immersion in the journey of a young Brazilian artist in search of self, followed by a discussion led by Diane Gistal.
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September 28 – 11:00 AM | Family Screening | Afromusée | La Quête de Lumie, a selection of 5 mini-documentary series showcasing Afro-descendant children from Canada. Followed by a panel with some of the young participants and the production team, moderated by Nolie Imprevert.
SPOTLIGHT ON OTHER BLACK ARTFORMS – POP UP MARKET
September 27, 11am – 6pm | Theatre Colas
Join us for a special edition of the MIBFF Pop-Up Market – hosted at the newly acquired Théâtre Colas! Be among the first to step through the doors of this iconic venue before renovations begin, and experience it in all the power of its raw, inspiring charm. This exclusive market will showcase the talent of Black artisans and entrepreneurs from Montreal: handcrafted creations, original works, fashion, accessories, interior décor, and much more.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover fresh, creative talent while getting a sneak peek at the future home of dynamic cultural programming. Including a special Book signing by Dany Laferrière from 3 – 5 pm
THEMES AND KEY NUMBERS
Major Themes For 2025 include: Family, history and traditions, murder and mystery, mental health, social issues, racism and discrimination, political resistance, female empowerment, sports, music/dance/art, romance, migration and displacement, identity, LGBTQ+, Afrofuturism, and science fiction.
2025 Programming in Numbers:
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70 films
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20 countries represented
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40 films CANADA ON SCREEN (including 9 online as part of the Canadian Spotlight)
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3 world premieres
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2 international premieres
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1 North American premiere
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12 Canadian premieres
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26 Quebec premieres
2025 JURY
Narrative Features
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Gavin Seal (Screenwriter and director, Intersectional Films)
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Karl R. Hearne (Director and screenwriter, The G)
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Miryam Charles (Director and producer, Cette maison)
Documentary Features
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Marie-Hélène Cousineau (Filmmaker)
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Jean-Hervé Désiré (Screenwriter, director, and multidisciplinary artist)
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Diana Goudroufe (Filmmaker)
Medium Length & Short Films (Narrative, Documentary and Animation)
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Phyllis Gooden (Film, television, theatre and voice actor)
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Samuel Suffren (Film Director)
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Jean-Bastien Niyigaruye (Filmmaker and screenwriter)
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
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Dates: September 24 to 28, 2025
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Main venues: Théâtre Outremont, Cinéma du Musée, Cinéma du Parc, Afromusée, Maison d’Haïti, Cinéma Public, Maison de la culture Côte-des-Neiges and the Colas Theatre
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Complete program and tickets: www.MontrealBlackFilm.com
All Access Passes and individual tickets are available now.
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 around the world. It aims to offer the public the most spectacular productions in Black cinema and opportunities to debate the great cultural, social, and socio-economic issues facing society. The goal of the MIBFF 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 are not necessarily in the spotlight, a new cinema that moves its audience and raises awareness – and a few eyebrows. In doing so, 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!
SOURCE:
Montreal International Black Film Festival
MEDIA CONTACT
Marilyne Levesque – Marelle Communications
mlevesque@marellecommunications.com | 514-884-6351
