{"id":32698,"date":"2026-08-21T16:28:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T20:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montrealblackfilm.com\/?p=32698"},"modified":"2026-08-21T16:28:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T20:28:16","slug":"22nd-mibff-to-open-with-the-eyes-of-ghana-by-oscar-winning-canadian-director-ben-proudfoot-executive-producers-michelle-barack-obama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montrealblackfilm.com\/en\/22nd-mibff-to-open-with-the-eyes-of-ghana-by-oscar-winning-canadian-director-ben-proudfoot-executive-producers-michelle-barack-obama\/","title":{"rendered":"22nd MIBFF: To Open with THE EYES OF GHANA by Oscar-Winning Canadian Director BEN PROUDFOOT \u2013 Executive Producers MICHELLE & BARACK OBAMA"},"content":{"rendered":"

22nd MIBFF: To Open with THE EYES OF GHANA<\/em> by Oscar-Winning Canadian Director BEN PROUDFOOT – Executive Producers MICHELLE & BARACK OBAMA<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Montreal International Black Film Festival Unveils its 22nd Edition: 70 FILMS FROM 21 COUNTRIES + Tribute to Quebec Producer ÉRIC IDRISS-KANAGO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

September 23 – 27, 2026<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

www.MontrealBlackFilm.com<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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The 22nd annual Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) – #MIBFF26 <\/span><\/em><\/strong>– <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

is back in the spotlight. This professional, bold, eclectic, and inclusive program celebrates the diversity, power, and impact of the stories that shape our times and renew our perspective on the world.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Montreal, August 24, 2026 <\/strong>– <\/strong>The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is back for its 22nd edition, September 23–27, 2026, with a lineup of 70 films from 21 countries<\/strong>, including 1 North American premiere, 8 Canadian premieres, 35 Quebec premieres, 2 Montreal premieres, and 3 world premieres.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more than 22 years, the MIBFF has been committed to amplifying Black voices on screen and providing a vital platform for filmmakers whose works raise awareness, foster dialogue, and inspire social change. As Canada’s largest Black film festival and the only bilingual (French-English) festival of its kind in North America, the MIBFF continues to highlight a new generation of cinema that moves audiences, challenges perspectives, and celebrates the diversity of Black experiences around the world.<\/p>\n

“Each edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival is an affirmation: our stories matter, our voices matter, and our cinema has a place at the heart of the cultural landscape. In 2026, as the world undergoes profound transformations, MIBFF remains an essential space for bringing stories to light that challenge, unite, and move things forward. We want to continue giving a platform to filmmakers who dare to tell stories differently, shedding light on realities that are too often overlooked, building bridges between cultures and generations, and opening new pathways for the next generation. Cinema does more than reflect the world: it can help transform it. That is why we will continue, with boldness and conviction, to celebrate the richness of Black voices from here and around the world, to champion free, independent, and diverse cinema, and to make MIBFF a place where stories become memories, where encounters become opportunities, and where dreams become reality. Wishing everyone a wonderful festival!” — Fabienne Colas<\/strong>, Founder and President of MIBFF<\/p>\n

OPENING NIGHT GALA: FILM & TRIBUTE<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The Red Carpet Opening Night will take place at Théâtre Outremont at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23<\/strong>, featuring the Quebec premiere of The Eyes of Ghana,<\/strong> directed by Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot<\/strong> and executive produced by Michelle and Barack Obama<\/strong>. Producer Nana Adwoa Frimpong<\/strong> will be in attendance for a Q&A session following the screening. <\/span>Tickets: $35<\/strong>, available on the festival website<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Directed by Ben Proudfoot, a two-time Oscar winner, The Eyes of Ghana<\/strong> is a powerful feature-length documentary that follows Chris Hesse, a 93-year-old filmmaker and former personal director of photography for Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. As his blindness progresses and his time grows short, Hesse embarks on an extraordinary mission: to save and repatriate a hidden archive of more than 1,000 films<\/strong> chronicling the birth of African independence in the 1950s and 1960s.<\/p>\n

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The screening of The Eyes of Ghana<\/strong> will be preceded by a tribute to award-winning Quebec producer Éric Idriss-Kanago<\/strong>, who will be presented with the MIBFF Avant-Garde Award<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“Receiving the Avant-Garde Award from the Montreal International Black Film Festival is a tremendous honour. For me, creating and producing is, above all, about believing in distinctive voices, taking risks, and providing the space needed for stories that deserve to exist. For more than twenty years, I have sought to support stories that explore identity, memory, dreams, and our relationship with the world. Through Yzanakio, I wanted to build a creative space where imaginations can be free, bold, and deeply human. Being an Honorary Guest of MIBFF is an opportunity to celebrate those who dare to create differently. A special thanks to everyone I've met who has helped me pursue this vision. The Avant-Garde Award reminds me that cinema moves forward when we are willing to step off the beaten path, trust new voices, and imagine the world differently.” — Éric Idriss-Kanago, <\/strong>Producer and Founder of Yzanakio<\/p>\n

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CLOSING NIGHT: FILM & AWARD CEREMONY<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The #MIBFF26<\/strong> will close with the Quebec premiere of DIYA<\/strong>, directed by Achille Ronaimou. The screening will take place on Sunday, September 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Cinéma du Musée<\/strong>. Tickets: $25<\/strong>, available on the festival website<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Through a deeply human and intimate narrative, DIYA<\/strong> explores the themes of resilience, identity, and personal transformation, offering a powerful reflection on contemporary realities and the complexity of human relationships.<\/p>\n

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The closing film will be presented following the MIBFF<\/strong> Awards Ceremony.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2026 PROGRAM INCLUDE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

FILMS NOT TO BE MISSED<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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