{"id":8673,"date":"2016-09-08T14:19:20","date_gmt":"2016-09-08T19:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/montrealblackfilm.mysites.io\/?p=8673"},"modified":"2016-09-08T14:19:20","modified_gmt":"2016-09-08T19:19:20","slug":"8673","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montrealblackfilm.com\/en\/8673\/","title":{"rendered":"12th MIBFF: SPIKE LEE IS BACK!"},"content":{"rendered":"

12th<\/sup> MIBFF: SPIKE LEE IS BACK!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Spike Lee, Clement Virgo, Maya Angelou, Sembene, Black Lives Matter Movement\u2026 for an ever more committed festival!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The 12th<\/sup> Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) features a program that 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

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Full program and tickets: <\/strong>www.montrealblackfilm.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The 12th<\/sup> <\/strong>Montreal International Black Film Festival<\/strong> (MIBFF), <\/strong>the brainchild of the Fabienne Colas Foundation, will be held from 28th<\/sup> September to 2nd<\/sup> October 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Montreal, 8th<\/sup> September 2016 <\/strong>\u2013 The Montreal International Black Film Festival team (MIBFF) revealed the program for the 12th<\/sup> edition, which will be held from 28th<\/sup> September to 2nd<\/sup> October 2016<\/strong> and features 40 films<\/strong> from all four corners of the globe, most of which will be shown in the Cin\u00e9ma Imp\u00e9rial, Cin\u00e9ma du Parc, the former ONF cinema, and the Concordia University Theatre Hall. Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation<\/strong>, the biggest black film festival in Canada is back for a 12th<\/sup> edition, which promises to be inspiring and breathtaking \u2013 and the return of the legendary Oscar-winning director and producer SPIKE LEE<\/strong>, who won the MIBFF Precursor Award in 2014, just goes to prove it.<\/p>\n

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SPIKE LEE BACK AT THE MIBFF!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Showing of Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall<\/em> + Q&A with Spike Lee<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday 1st<\/sup> October 2016 \u2013 7:00 p.m. – Theatre Hall Concordia University | $35<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The great Spike Lee<\/strong> is back at the Montreal International Black Film Festival this year to pay tribute to the King of Pop. The documentary Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall<\/em><\/strong> will be a premiere in Canada and a Q&A session will follow: an unmissable opportunity for film-lovers and fans of Spike Lee and Michael Jackson. This \u201cSpecial Evening with Spike Lee\u201d on Saturday 1st<\/sup> October at 7:00 p.m<\/strong>. at the Concordia University Theatre Hall will give fans the chance to spend a whole evening with this film industry icon, who has helped to revolutionize contemporary black cinema. As a pioneer in independent film production and a proud ambassador of African-American culture, Spike Lee has always addressed complex issues, such as identity-based and ethnic conflicts. His work is for the most part politically oriented, provocative, and often controversial.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are delighted and honoured to have Spike Lee<\/strong> back at the Festival, which is a testament to his great support for the MIBFF \u2013 another huge achievement for Montreal. Spike Lee is a pioneer and a source of inspiration and motivation for a whole generation. His commitment to independent cinema, his strength, determination, and activism in achieving social justice really make a difference in a world that, too often, tends to silence us.\u201d – Fabienne Colas<\/strong>, president and founder of the MIBFF.<\/p>\n

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Synopsis \u00a0of Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall:<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n
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This film, directed by Spike Lee, starts with a glimpse into Michael’s evolution from the early days as a member of the Jackson Five to the time Michael decides it is finally time to release his first solo album \u2013 Off The Wall \u2013 featuring his own music and with him having ultimate creative control. Spike then offers an in-depth look at each of the individual tracks on this seminal album, the cultural significance of the album and the impact it continues to have on today’s artists. The individuals who were interviewed for the documentary include some of today’s most artist artists as well as other cultural icons. It is clear from the documentary that the influence of The King of Pop and Off The Wall continue to be felt today. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n

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SPOKESPEOPLE AND HONORARY PRESIDENT <\/strong><\/p>\n

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Author, composer, singer, and actor Manuel Tadros,<\/strong> who has enjoyed a 40-year career in Quebec, and singer Val\u00e9rie Daure,<\/em> <\/strong>who performed magically on the La Voix<\/em> series and dabbles in comedy, are the spokespeople <\/strong>for this 12th<\/sup> edition. Monique J\u00e9r\u00f4me-Forget<\/strong>, former Quebec finance minister and currently serving as special advisor in Osler, president of the Board of Directors of the McCord Museum, and honorary member of the Board of Directors of the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is the festival\u2019s honorary president<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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A PROGRAM ON THE TOPIC: SPEAK UP\/<\/strong> EXPRIME-TOI<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The objective of the Montreal International Black Film Festival has always been to promote diversity and give minorities a voice by opening our eyes to certain realities in the world through the 7th<\/sup> art. \u201cToday, more than ever, we want to challenge the many inconsistencies, inequalities, and injustices that still claim many victims,\u201d explained Mrs. Fabienne Colas, president of the festival. \u201cThe fact remains that not everyone has access to opportunities. We cannot pretend everything is okay. Everyone has a part to play if we want things to change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speak up\u00a0\/\u00a0<\/strong>Exprime-toi<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0is the underlying theme for this new edition. Through the films selected, special events, round tables, and guests of honour, the 2016 program has attempted to showcase a story, a person, or a movement that is not afraid to be heard, has been able to overcome conventions, and has not been afraid to make demands and change the state of affairs. The official poster of the 12th<\/sup> MIBFF, an original work of art by Sandro Fran\u00e7a, is the perfect reflection of this.<\/p>\n

Our absolute favourites are inspiring stories that combine cultural heritage, the struggle against injustice, and inequality with passion, determination, strength, and great feats. Don\u2019t miss<\/strong> Maya Angelou and Still I Rise<\/em>, Le Gang des Antillais, Walk All Night: A Drumbeat Journey, Lambadina, Bois d\u2019\u00c9b\u00e8ne, Agents of Change, Dirt and Deeds in Mississippi, Black, Michael Jackson\u2019s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall <\/em>(with Spike Lee), Southside with You, Dieu Merci, Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement.<\/em><\/p>\n

The program features films \u2013 often international, Canadian, or Quebec premieres \u2013 from all four corners of the world, an MIBFF Black Market<\/strong> space dedicated to the cinema industry, special events, and tributes to international figures. It also includes a Black Fem\u2019Art exhibition that highlights black femininity through the work of ten young female artists from Montreal and the documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement<\/em> <\/strong>by Jesse Williams, which will be followed by a round table with distinguished guests to discuss a movement that affects us all.<\/p>\n

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OPENING FILM: MAYA ANGELOU AND STILL I RISE <\/strong><\/p>\n

By Bob Hercules and\u00a0Rita Coburn Whack<\/strong><\/p>\n

Official selection at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival <\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday 28th<\/sup> September \u2013 <\/strong>7:00 p.m. <\/strong>–\u00a0 Cin\u00e9ma Imp\u00e9rial | $25<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Maya Angelou and Still I Rise\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>will kick off this year\u2019s edition as a premiere in Quebec. The opening of the festival will be dedicated to Maya Angelou, a Pulitzer-nominated writer, poet, and artist who has received a medal from Barack Obama\u2014a symbol of the struggle for civic rights in the United States. The documentary explores how historical, cultural, and artistic events have shaped Dr. Maya Angelou\u2019s journey and how she, in turn, has shaped our view of the world through her tales and activism. There will be a tribute to Canadian director Clement Virgo <\/strong>before the screening.<\/p>\n

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CLEMENT VIRGO WILL RECEIVE THE CAREER EXCELLENCE AWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday 28th<\/sup> September \u2013 <\/strong>7:00 p.m. <\/strong>–\u00a0 Cin\u00e9ma Imp\u00e9rial <\/strong><\/p>\n

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The opening evening will pay tribute to CLEMENT VIRGO<\/strong>, one of the most highly acclaimed directors in Canada. Best known for directing the Canadian mini-series The Book of Negroes <\/em>\u2013 broadcast on CBC \u2013 which has won 11 Canadian Screen Awards, Clement Virgo also directed the entire first season of the OWN network drama Greenleaf <\/em>(2016), for which he is the executive producer alongside Oprah Winfrey<\/strong>. He will receive the 2016 MIBFF Career Excellence Award in recognition of his stunning, prolific career. The tribute will be followed by the film Maya Angelou and Still I Rise<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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CLOSING FILM: BLACK<\/strong><\/p>\n

By <\/strong>Adil El Arbi<\/strong><\/a> and\u00a0<\/strong>Bilall Fallah<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Winner of the Dropbox Discovery Programme Filmmakers Award at TIFF 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday 2nd<\/sup> October <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>7:00 p.m.<\/strong> –\u00a0 <\/strong>Theatre Hall Concordia | $20<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Black<\/em> is an immensely rich film. Love, betrayal, friendship, violence, immigration, and uprooting are just some of the topics that this film, which will round off the 2016 MIBFF, is built around. Two gangs from the suburbs of Brussels, the Black Bronx and the 1080, are engaged in a merciless conflict. Mavela falls in love in Marwan, a rival gang member. The two lovers become entangled in an intense, forbidden, and dangerous passion.<\/p>\n

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THE MIBFF BLACK MARKET<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday 1st<\/sup> October <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>1:00 p.m.<\/strong> –\u00a0 <\/strong>Former ONF cinema | $10<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The MIBFF Black Market<\/strong> is back with a master class\/workshop that you won\u2019t want to miss if you want to succeed in the film industry. Established filmmakers from Canada and abroad will come to share their experiences in film creation, financing, production and distribution, and in the festival circuit.<\/p>\n

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FILM AND DISCUSSION: STAY WOKE: THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday 2nd<\/sup> October \u2013<\/strong> 1:00 p.m.<\/strong> –\u00a0 <\/strong>Former ONF cinema | $10<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This year, we want to place particular emphasis on a movement that affects us all: The Black Lives Matter Movement. For the first time, a round table will be held to discuss this movement after the documentary directed by Laurens Grant, winner of several Emmy Awards, and produced by Jesse Williams Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement<\/em>. Through the experiences of activists and local celebrities, a parallel will be drawn between the situations in the USA and Canada on issues such as racism, racial profiling, diversity, and the representation of visible minorities.<\/p>\n

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EXHIBITION: \u00a0BLACK FEM\u2019ART\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

23rd<\/sup> September \u2013 1st<\/sup> October 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Espace Mushagalusa | Free<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The BLACK FEM\u2019Art exhibition highlights work by 10 young, black women from Montreal during the 12th<\/sup> edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF). The festival wishes to showcase these multitalented young artists to the public and increase their visibility with the aim of promoting artistic diversity in Montreal and supporting these artists in their work. With each artist bearing her own personality, background, and style, visitors will be treated to a delightful panel of \u201cmade in Montreal\u201d creations and forms of expression.<\/p>\n

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JURY MEMBERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Feature-length films, fictions:<\/strong>\u00a0Kristian Hodko, <\/strong>actor and scriptwriter; Marie-\u00c9velyne Lessard, <\/strong>actress; Michael Challenger<\/strong>, actor, dancer, founder of Anu Productions<\/p>\n

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Feature-length films, documentaries: <\/strong>Honey A. Dresher,<\/strong> president of Culture. Diversity. Communications; Carel Pedre<\/strong>, producer, radio, and television host; J\u00e9r\u00f4me Pruneau<\/strong>, doctor of social and cultural anthropology (ethnology), director general of Diversit\u00e9 artistique Montr\u00e9al (DAM)<\/p>\n

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Medium-length and short films: Phyllis Gooden, <\/strong>actress; Caesey Shakes, <\/strong>scriptwriter and director; Jhonattan Ardila, <\/strong>actor and director<\/p>\n

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TICKETS AND PASSES<\/strong><\/p>\n

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PASSES: <\/strong><\/p>\n