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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Canada\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n Full program and tickets: www.montrealblackfilm.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The 15th Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), <\/strong>created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation<\/strong> and presented by Quebecor<\/strong>, will be held from September 24 to 29, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Montreal, August 29, 2019 <\/strong>\u2013 Canada\u2019s 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. <\/strong>Moviegoers will get the chance to watch 90 uncut, quality films from 25 countries<\/strong>. MIBFF<\/strong> is honoured to open the festival with Harriet Tubman\u2019s long awaited biopic, HARRIET<\/strong>. The film, directed by Kasi Lemmons<\/strong> and starring Tony-winning Broadway<\/strong> actor Cynthia Erivo<\/strong>, will be a Quebec Premiere<\/strong> at the Montreal International Black Film Festival following its world premiere at TIFF<\/strong>.<\/p>\n MIBFF\u2019s 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<\/strong>, C\u00e9sar<\/strong> winning director and the only Black female filmmaker to have directed Marlon Brando<\/strong>; C\u00e9sar<\/strong> winning actor Isaach De Bankol\u00e9<\/strong>; Iconic Quebec filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord<\/strong>; and Haitian-American Hollywood star Jimmy Jean-Louis<\/strong>. As well as Yusef Salaam & Kevin Richardson<\/strong> of the The Central Park Five<\/strong> whose story was told in Ava Duvernay<\/strong>\u2019s Emmy Award nominated Netflix series, When They See Us<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The 15th<\/sup> annual MIBFF promises to entertain but most importantly to inspire through thought-provoking films. The program features a record 90 films, <\/strong>among some of which are World, International, North American, Canadian or Quebec Premieres; the MIBFF Black Market<\/strong> space dedicated to the cinema industry; and presenting the MIBFF Kids Program. <\/strong>One of the highlight events is an initiative from The Fabienne Colas Foundation\u2019s Youth & Diversity Program: Being Black in Canada<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe created this festival in 2005 in order to showcase filmmakers who otherwise wouldn\u2019t be seen or heard in Montreal. By giving a voice to the marginalized and showing films that shatter taboos, our festival\u2019s aim is to promote professional collaboration and foster the development of independent film. Today, our focus is to go beyond \u2018awareness\u2019<\/strong> with concrete \u2018actions\u2019 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.\u201d – Fabienne Colas<\/strong>, President and Founder of the MIBFF.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t want to miss:<\/strong> 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; C\u00e9saire vs Aragon; While I Breathe, I Hope; No promised Land; Rumba in the Jungle; Dilili \u00e0 Paris, Restless and many more!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n OPENING FILM: HARRIET<\/strong><\/p>\n + TRIBUTE TO EUZHAN PALCY & JEAN-CLAUDE LORD<\/strong><\/p>\n Presented by Quebecor<\/em><\/p>\n By Kasi Lemmons<\/strong><\/p>\n Tuesday, September 24, 7PM | Imperial Theatre | $25 | Quebec Premiere <\/strong><\/p>\n Kasi Lemmons\u2019 HARRIET<\/strong> tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman<\/strong>\u2019s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America\u2019s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.<\/p>\n Harriet<\/strong> will be screening at MIBFF following its World Premiere at TIFF<\/strong>. This long awaited biopic will hit theatres across Canada on November 1<\/strong> (distributed by Universal Pictures Canada<\/strong>).<\/p>\n The MIBFF\u2019s Opening Film screening will be preceded by a tribute to French Caribbean trailblazer and Cesar-winning Filmmaker Euzhan Palcy<\/strong>, and Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois legendary filmmaker Jean-Claude<\/strong> Lord, <\/strong>who will both receive the The Montreal Intl Black Film Festival\u2019s 2019 Pioneer Award.<\/strong> Palcy is the first woman and the second person to receive the MIBFF\u2019s Pioneer Award after Spike Lee<\/strong>.<\/p>\n MOVIE-TALK WITH EUZHAN PALCY<\/strong><\/p>\n RETROSPECTIVE OF HER FILMS: SUGAR CANE ALLEY + A DRY WHITE SEASON + Q&A<\/strong><\/p>\n Co-Presented by TV5<\/em><\/p>\n Monday, September 23, 5:30PM & 8PM | Cin\u00e9math\u00e8que qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise | $20 per film<\/strong><\/p>\n 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. <\/strong>When she directed Sugar Cane Alley (Rue Cases N\u00e8gres)<\/strong> in 1983, Euzhan Palcy<\/strong> 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<\/strong> (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 Sim\u00e9on<\/strong>.<\/p>\n BEING BLACK IN CANADA<\/strong><\/p>\n From the Fabienne Colas Foundation\u2019s Diversity Program<\/strong><\/p>\n Wednesday, September 25, 7PM-11PM <\/strong>| <\/strong>Cin\u00e9ma du Parc <\/strong>| <\/strong>$20<\/strong><\/p>\n Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Being Black in Canada<\/strong>, an initiative from The Fabienne Colas Foundation\u2019s Youth & Diversity Program<\/strong>, supported 15 Canadians, 18 to 30 years old, from black communities in Montreal, Toronto <\/strong>and Halifax<\/strong> 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.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH YUSEF SALAAM & KEVIN RICHARDSON<\/strong><\/p>\n OF THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE <\/strong><\/p>\n & SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n Featured in Ava Duvernay<\/strong>\u2019s Netflix Emmy-Nominated Series, When They See Us<\/strong><\/p>\n Thursday, September 26, 7PM <\/strong>| <\/strong>Imperial Cinema<\/strong> | $30 (GA) – $75 (VIP)<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a privilege to pay tribute to and welcome for an intimate talk, motivational speaker Kevin Richardson and Yusef Salaam<\/strong> (for a second time at the Festival) who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2014 and received the President\u2019s Life Time Achievement Award in 2016 from President Barack Obama<\/strong>.<\/p>\n On April 19, 1989, a young woman in the prime of her life was brutally raped and left for dead in New York City\u2019s 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<\/strong> became known collectively as \u201cThe Central Park Five.<\/strong>\u201d 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 <\/strong>for its grievous injustice against them. <\/strong>Their story is featured in Ava Duvernay\u2019s Emmy<\/strong>-nominated Netflix Series When They See Us.<\/strong><\/p>\n Moderated by Fabienne Colas<\/strong>, Actress, Filmmaker, Activist, MIBFF President & Founder.<\/p>\n AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION WITH ISAACH DE BANKOL\u00c9<\/strong><\/p>\n & CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n Presented by Quebecor and Global News<\/em><\/p>\n Saturday, September 28, 7PM <\/strong>| <\/strong>Imperial Theatre<\/strong> | $30 (GA) – $75 (VIP)<\/strong><\/p>\n The legendary Isaach De Bankole\u0301<\/strong> in Montre\u0301al! Screening of his career\u2019s highlights, followed by the presentation of the 2019 MIBFF Career Achievement Award<\/strong>! Then, we\u2019ll 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 Ce\u0301sar<\/strong> award winning (Black Mic Mac<\/strong>) actor from Ivory Coast, who is also a recipient of French Legion d\u2019Honneur<\/strong>! He was featured in Black Panther, Shaft<\/strong> (alongside Samuel L. Jackson), Snakeater, Miami Vice, Casino Royale, How To Make Love To A Negro Without Getting Tired<\/strong>, adapted from Dany Laferrie\u0300re<\/strong>\u2019s first novel.<\/p>\n Moderated by Fabienne Colas<\/strong>, Actress, Filmmaker, MIBFF President & Founder<\/p>\n MOVIE TALK: FROM HAITI TO HOLLYWOOD WITH JIMMY JEAN-LOUIS<\/strong><\/p>\n & CAREER ACHEIVEMENT AWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n Co-Presented by TV5 and Festival Haiti en Folie<\/em><\/p>\n Friday, September 27, 9PM <\/strong>| <\/strong>Cin\u00e9ma du Mus\u00e9e <\/strong>| <\/strong>$20<\/strong><\/p>\n An intimate evening with the successful Haitian-American actor in Hollywood: Jimmy Jean-Louis<\/strong>! Screening of the film DESRANCES<\/strong> by Appoline Traor\u00e9, followed by an intimate talk about his career paths and secrets of success. Moderated by Fabienne Colas<\/strong>, Actress, Filmmaker, MIBFF President & Founder<\/p>\n Haitian-born actor Jimmy Jean-Louis<\/strong> grew up in the slums of P\u00e9tion-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<\/strong>” (Bruce Willis), “Phat Girlz<\/strong>” (Mo\u2019Nique), NBC Hit show \u201cHeroes\u201d, CW show “Arrow<\/strong>“, CBS “Extant<\/strong>” with Oscar winner Halle Berry produced by Steven Spielberg. More recently, he was part of the cast of “Joy<\/strong>” with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro directed by David O Russell and a regular on the TV show “CLAWS<\/strong>” for TNT. His most important role to date is playing the title character in \u201cToussaint Louverture<\/strong>” 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<\/strong>” to benefit humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti, after the earthquake of 2010.<\/p>\n THE MIBFF BLACK MARKET<\/strong><\/p>\n Co-presented by T\u00e9l\u00e9film Canada, Conseil des Arts du Canada, Conseil des Arts et des Lettre du Qu\u00e9bec <\/em><\/p>\n September 27, 28 & 29 <\/strong>| Grande Biblioth\u00e8que and Cin\u00e9ma du Mus\u00e9e<\/strong><\/p>\n Black Market Pass $79 <\/strong>or Individual Ticket $20<\/strong><\/p>\n If you want to succeed in the film industry, the MIBFF Black Market returns with master classes, conferences and workshops that you won\u2019t 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<\/a><\/p>\n MIBFF KIDS PROGRAM<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday, September 29, 10AM till 3PM | Cinema du Parc<\/strong><\/p>\n The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) is thrilled to be presenting the MIBFF Kids Program!<\/strong> MIBFF Kids Progra<\/strong>m 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.<\/p>\n Free Program<\/strong><\/p>\n As part of Les Journ\u00e9es de la Culture \u2013 in collaboration with Cinema du Parc & NFB<\/em><\/p>\n Paid Program<\/strong><\/p>\n $12<\/em><\/strong> Adult | $6<\/strong> Kids (12 years and under) – Proof of age may be requested on site. <\/em><\/p>\n AN INTIMATE DISCUSSION WITH JEAN-CLAUDE LORD<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday, September 29, 3PM <\/strong>| Grande Biblioth\u00e8que | $20<\/strong><\/p>\n The legendary filmmaker Jean-Claude Lord<\/strong> 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<\/strong> (starring William Shatner<\/strong> and Michael Ironside<\/strong>) 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<\/strong> (1986); and for casting a black actress, Linda Malo<\/strong>, as the lead character in the crime and investigation TV series Jasmine<\/strong> (1996), it was historic in Quebec \u2013 at a time when \u00abdiversity\u00bb and \u00abinclusion\u00bb were not very fashionable words. Lord will also be receiving the MIBFF 2019 Pioneer Award <\/strong>alongside Euzhan Palcy on Opening Night.<\/p>\n CLOSING FILM – ELLEN: THE ELLEN PAKKIES STORY<\/strong><\/p>\n & AWARD CEREMONY<\/strong><\/p>\n Presented by the Fabienne Colas Foundation<\/em><\/p>\n By Daryne Joshua<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday, September 29, 7PM <\/strong>| <\/strong>Cin\u00e9ma du Mus\u00e9e <\/strong>| <\/strong>$20 |<\/strong> Quebec Premiere<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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