18th MIBFF OPENS WITH MATT WALDECK’S ‘LOVELY JACKSON’ IN INTL PREMIERE + 95 FILMS FROM 25 COUNTRIES! – Initiative

FILMS STARRING: Colin Kaepernick, Souleymane Cissé, Gérard Depardieu, Keith David, Danny Glover, Louis Gossett Jr, Jennifer Holness, Ibrahim Koma, Maxim Khalil, Sidney Poitier, Chantel Riley, Dadju Karidja, Touré Brandon, Victor Dixon, Naturi Naughton , Thomas Sadoski, Orlando Jones, Kenneth Choi, William Fichtner, Kelly McCreary, Lázaro Ramos, Thomás Aquino, Rickey Jackson, Rosa Parks and many more!
Always innovative, the MIBFF returns more impactful than ever with novelty to its daring programming, inspiring the next generation of Afro-descendant artists in cinema and beyond!
The 18th Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, presented by Desjardins from September 20 to 25, 2022

The largest black film festival in Canada, the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), is back with a more impactful and diverse 18th edition, from September 20 to 25, 2022. The MIBFF is enthusiastic about the idea to reconnect with the film community and festival-goers in person and online for the first time in over two years, with more venues, programs and activities than ever before! #FIFBM22 will present 12 world premieres, 10 international premieres, 25 Canadian premieres and 9 Quebec premieres.

The opening night will take place on Tuesday September 20 at 7pm at the Imperial Cinema with the international premiere of the film LOVELY JACKSON by Matt Waldeck (USA), a question and answer session will follow with the director and Rickey Jackson. The film is exonerated prisoner Rickey Jackson’s daring first-hand account of the psychology of survival and the spiritual strength needed to withstand 39 years of wrongful incarceration for a murder he did not commit.

The #FIFBM22 will end at the Cinéma du Musée with the Canadian premiere of the film TROPIQUES DE LA VIOLENCE by Manuel Schapira (France). Afraid of being deported after the sudden death of his mother, 13-year-old Moses joins the slums where dozens of children live alone, completely abandoned by society.

“The MIBFF returns with a breathtaking 18th edition that inspires, shocks, makes you think, moves, entertains, and that will leave no one indifferent. We commend creators who take risks by making non-commercial choices; allowing them to spread stories and realities that otherwise would not reach you. What a privilege to be able to continue to show exceptional works which do not always benefit from the lighting of the projectors; share unknown realities; demystify taboos; promote professional meetings; to bring about systemic change in the industry and help advance independent filmmaking – while celebrating diversity on screen. – Fabienne Colas, founding president of the Black Film Festivals of Montreal, Toronto and Halifax.

As an important platform that amplifies the voice of Black people, the MIBFF is proud to host the launch of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Festwave Institute, a program to train, support and strengthen the next generation of Black Canadian professionals in the cinema and television. In addition, our first pop-up market (POP-UP MARKET) titled “Spotlight on Other Black Art Forms” will feature original, artistic and cultural works by talented local Black artists.

The programming for this 18th edition addresses important topics such as history, social issues, racism, politics, the status of women, art, romance and LGBTQ issues. The festival’s rich selection of 95 films comes from 25 countries, including Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Congo, France, Senegal, Serbia, United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Lithuania, etc.

One of this year’s must-see events is the world premiere of director Kirk E. Kelleykahn’s documentary film A Star Without a Star Juanita. Other must-see films at the festival include: How (Not) to Build a School in Haiti; The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks; A starless star Juanita; Marian Anderson: The World in Her Hands; Kaepernick and America; Black As UR; Massi; Lovely Jackson; A Daughter’s Tribute…Souleymane Cissé (Cannes official selection); As Verdades; Color Blind; They Can’t So I Must; pattern; Omar Blondin Diop; The Society of Amputees; Robust ; Kankan; IMA; Tropic of Violence and more!

The Saturday evening with red carpet will present the Quebec premiere of the film Kaepernick and America directed by Ross Hockrow and Tommy Walker and the world premiere of A Star Without a Star Juanita by Kirk E. Kelleykahn.

New this year, festival-goers will be able to experience the opening night like a VIP! A $100 pass will give you access to the red carpet, the ceremony, the opening film screening, the VIP cocktail reception and the first choice of seat. Other tickets include ALL ACCESS PASSES online at $99 and in person at $119; and individual tickets ranging from $12 to $25 are also available on the festival website. Documentary films are presented by the Canada Media Fund.

OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS

LAUNCH OF THE FESTWAVE INSTITUTE | September 23, 7pm| Quebec Cinematheque

Private event, places are limited. RSVP via MontrealBlackFilm.com

The Festwave Institute was created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, and supported by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), to train, support and empower the next generation of black Canadian film and television professionals at all stages of their careers – and to change the Canadian film and television industry from coast to coast!

SPOTLIGHT ON OTHER BLACK ART FORMS – POP-UP MARKET | September 24, 11am-4pm | Quebec Cinematheque

The ephemeral market (Pop-Up Market) aims to present talented black artists and highlight their original, artistic and cultural works. Other forms of black arts can include painting, hairdressing, fashion, decoration, jewelry, accessories and traditional adornments.

THE MIBFF BLACK MARKET | September 24 – 25 | Montreal, arts interculturels (MAY) & Online FREE

The MIBFF Black Market, an initiative of the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is entirely dedicated to industry professionals. During this series, the workings of the film industry will be the subject of discussions and exchanges while aiming to compare ideas and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge. This year, the Black Market is part of the “Forum MIBFF Action!” Beyond awareness! “.

In-person bilingual panel

Networking: The Rules for Approaching People in the Entertainment Industry
Online English Panels

Representation in the Media
The Winning Formula to get your project off the ground!
Being Black in Canada – Montreal: Young Gifted and Black in Today’s Society
Panels in French online

The under-representation of black actors in francophone theater in Quebec
Being Black in Canada – Montreal: Young Black Montreal Filmmakers in Action
FIFBM21 – as a reminder – The filmmaker’s guide – What every new filmmaker needs to know to make a film.
BEING BLACK IN CANADA PROGRAM OF THE FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION

September 21 | Park Cinema | 6pm – 11pm | Tickets on the Festival website

Presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, with the support of Telefilm Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts (as well as SODEC, CALQ, CAM in Montreal).

35 Canadian short films from the 2021 cohort will be presented at #FIFBM22! The CFF’s Being Black in Canada program is a professional training program that last year supported 35 Black Canadian filmmakers aged 18 to 30 from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Halifax in the creation of short documentaries. ENAC is an essential step on the road to representation and racial equity, on screen and behind the camera. This one-of-a-kind project will continue to inspire emerging artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and will change the face of the Canadian film industry.

MIBFF IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS

Presented by Desjardins – FREE

This initiative allows young people to have free access to films created by members of black communities. The screenings will be followed by a 60-minute discussion with the directors.

Sept. 21, 7:30pm: Maison de la culture Côtes-des-Neiges: Dear Jackie by Henri Pardo
Sept. 22, 7pm: Maison culturelle de Montréal-Nord: Being Black in Montreal 2021, Francophone cohort
Sept. 24, 11am & 1pm: Maison d’Haïti: Sunny’s Quest: Broadcast of video capsules for children followed by discussion with the directors and production team.
JURY MEMBERS

Fiction feature films: Anik Matern, John Nyce, Gavin Seal

Documentary feature films: Jacinthe Brisebois, Ana Alice de Morais, Josa Maule

Short and medium-length films: Deidre J. Marwa, Laquerre-Trantawy, Sandra Mathieu

PREMISES

Imperial Cinema: 1430 rue de Bleury, Montreal

Cinémathèque québécoise: 335, boul. by Maisonneuve E., Montreal

Cinema Beaubien: 2396 Rue Beaubien E, Montreal

Park Cinema: 3575, av. du Parc, Montreal

Montreal North Cultural and Community House: 12004 Boul Rolland, Montreal North

Maison de la culture Côtes des neiges: 5290 Ch. de la Côte-des-Neiges, Montreal

New – Quartier Latin Cinema: 350 Rue Émery, Montreal

New – Cinema du Musée: 1379-A, rue Sherbrooke O., Montreal

New – Montreal, intercultural arts (MAI): 3680, rue Jeanne-Mance, suite 103. Montreal

New – House of Haiti: 3245 BC. Emile-Journault, Montreal

The 18th Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is presented by Desjardins from September 20 to 25, 2022

18th MIBFF OPENS WITH MATT WALDECK’S ‘LOVELY JACKSON’ IN INTL PREMIERE + 95 FILMS FROM 25 COUNTRIES! – Initiative