As part of the 21st edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), a special and exceptional showcase is dedicated to a remarkable selection of Canadian works ( in-person and/or online) that explore Black realities through a Canadian lens.
MIBFF 2025 OFFICIAL SELECTION (IN PERSON AND ONLINE DURING THE FESTIVAL)
NARRATIVE FEATURE DRAMA — Village Keeper — 2024 — 83’ by Karen Chapman — Quebec Premiere — In Person and Online during the Festival
SHORT DOCUMENTARY — Shades — 2024 — 21’ — lindsey addawoo & Alexis L Wood — Quebec Premiere — In Person and Online during the Festival
NARRATIVE SHORT-DRAMA — Lana — 2024 — 18’ — Laetitia Angba, Julie Redon Lissouba — In Person and Online during the Festival
NARRATIVE SHORT-DRAMA — Prospect — 2025 — 22’ — Pascal Tshilambo — World Premiere — In Person and Online during the Festival
CANADIAN SPOTLIGHT (ONLINE ONLY)
The Canadian Spotlight is a special showcase created by the Montreal International Black Film Festival to highlight outstanding cinematic works that explore Black realities through a Canadian lens. This selection is non-competitive and celebrates essential films whose relevance and impact deserve to be shared with the public.
DOCUMENTARY — Subjects of Desire — 2021 — 101’ by Jennifer Holness — Online Only 24-28 Sept
DOCUMENTARY — Someone Like Me (Une Personne Comme Moi) — 2021 — 80’ by Sean Horlor & Steve J. Adams — Online Only 24-28 Sept
FICTION — Il n’y a pas de faux métier (There are no false undertakings) — 2020 — 108’ by Olivier Godin — Online Only 24-28 Sept
DOCUMENTARY — Rumba Rules, Nouvelles Généalogies (Rumba Rules, New Genealogies) — 2020 — 107’ by David N. Bernatchez et Sammy Baloji — Online Only 24-28 Sept
DOCUMENTARY — Zo Reken — 2021 — 86’ by Emanuel Licha — Online Only 24-28 Sept
EXPERIMENTAL DOCUMENTARY — Cette Maison — 2022 — 73’ by Miryam Charles — Online Only 24-28 Sept
DOCUMENTARY — Kite Zo A: Leave the Bones — 2022 — 70’ by Kaveh Nabatian — Online Only 24-28 Sept
DOCUMENTARY — Stateless — 2023 — 95’ by Michèle Stephenson — Online Only 24-28 Sept
DOCUMENTARY — Dope is Death — 2021 — 81’ by Mia Donovan — Online Only 24-28 Sept
MIBFF IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS (IN-PERSON ONLY)
This community outreach and cultural-mediation initiative, presented by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, gives youth and the general public across various Montreal neighborhoods free access to films made by Black creators or centered on Black communities. Screenings will feature filmmakers in attendance for conversations about the production context and Black experiences.
SHORT DOCUMENTARY — Beyond the Masks — 2024 — 8’ by Anebarou Abdel — In Person Only
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY — Africa: Cradle of Humanity and Modern Civilizations — 2024 — 90’ by Bénita Jacques — In Person Only
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY — Father’s Day — 2025 — 75’ by Ayana O’Shun — In Person Only
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY — Circo — 2024 — 88’ by Lamia Chraibi — In Person Only
SÉRIES OF 5 DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS FOR KIDS — La Quête de Lumie — In Person Only
BEING BLACK IN CANACA SERIES (DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS)
Created By the Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) & Part of Festwave Institute – Presented by NETFLIX in collaboration with The National Bank of Canada. The FCF’s Being Black In Canada Short Film Series showcases films on Black realities directed by emerging Black filmmakers from all over Canada. The program represents Canada’s largest mentorship, training, and creation program to be entirely dedicated to Black filmmakers.
MONTREAL (IN PERSON AND ONLINE DURING FESTIVAL)
Battre le Fer / Pull Up — 2024 — 10.27’ by Bruno Dramatik — In Person and Online during the Festival
Double Combat — 2024 — 9.36’ by Jonathan St-Armand — In Person and Online during the Festival
Mikelande, l’Exil, la Mémoire et le Griot — 2024 — 9.26’ by Ronaldo Myrthil — In Person and Online during the Festival
OTTAWA (IN PERSON AND ONLINE DURING FESTIVAL)
Lemonlime — 2024 — 8.35’ by Muram Idris — In Person and Online during the Festival
Traces Of Home — A Story from Congo — 2024 — 7.39’ by Dorcas / Tabitha Kanane — In Person and Online during the Festival
TORONTO (IN PERSON AND ONLINE DURING FESTIVAL)
My Neighbourg Taybah — 2024 — 7.46’ by Libin Ahmed — In Person and Online during the Festival
Black and Blue — 2024 — 8.04’ by Kehinde Akanbi — In Person and Online during the Festival
West Lodge Redemption — 2024 — 8.03’ by Tasha Gray — In Person and Online during the Festival
Dreaming In The West — 2024 — 8.16’ by Blessing Nwodo — In Person and Online during the Festival
Away From Home — 2024 — 8.07’ by Tofunmi Olowogorioye — In Person and Online during the Festival
VANCOUVER (ONLINE ONLY)
What We Talk About When We Talk About Blackness — 2024 — 10.44’ by Mickey Semera — Online Only
Self-Actualization — 2024 — 9.44’ by Marion Jacobs — Online Only
HALIFAX (ONLINE ONLY)
Under Pressure (Sous Pression) — 2024 — 7.24’ by Andre Anderson — Online Only
Black In School (Noir à l’école) — 2024 — 9.56’ by Habiba Diallo — Online Only
Relentless Hurdles, Resilient Hearts (Obstacles Incessants, Cœurs Résilients) — 2024 — 9’ by Temi — Online Only
RETROSPECTIVE – DANY LAFERRIÈRE
Dany Laferrière, screenwriter, filmmaker, writer and member of the Académie française (French Academy) has also made profound contributions to cinema: several of his works have been adapted for the screen — On the Verge of a Fever (Le goût des jeunes filles) directed by John L’Ecuyer, Heading South (Vers le Sud) directed by Laurent Cantet, How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired (Comment faire l’amour avec un nègre sans se fatiguer) directed by Jacques W. Benoit — and he has inspired numerous documentaries (A Gentle Drifting of a Haitian Child – La dérive douce d’un enfant de Petit-Goâve, directed by Pedro Ruiz). He directed How to Conquer America in One Night (Comment conquérir l’Amérique en une nuit), his first feature film based on an original screenplay. Through his words and images, Dany Laferrière has helped redefine Black narratives, creating a bridge between Haiti, Quebec, and the world.
