Montreal International Black Film Festival opens 20th gala at the Olympia

The Montreal International Black Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year with an opening gala at the Olympia featuring legendary director Spike Lee. But that’s just the start.

The festival is showcasing 100 films from 30 countries across various Montreal venues until September 29th — with a pop-up market and free workshops and discussions about the most crucial cinematic issues.

The closing film Village Next to Paradise and the Canadian film Sway are among the most awaited films of this 20th edition, said the chief programmer Jean-François Méan.

“Village Next to Paradise is the first Somali film to go to Cannes and it’s really a masterpiece. So, that’s one people I think are looking forward to,” said Méan.

“Sway was very, a big hit in Toronto. So, we’re hoping it’s going to be the same thing here.”

For the fifth year, The Fabienne Colas Foundation is offering free access to films by Black creators in four neighbourhoods, for local youth and the public.

Films being showcased aim to inspire festival goers.

Additionally, it aims to highlight Haitian films and series, honouring the legacy created 20 years ago when the festival started as the Haitian Film Festival.

“Montreal wouldn’t be what it is without the black communities here in this city and The Haitian community is a very large community,” says the head coordinator of the Festival, Andrea Este. “What they’ve what they’ve done here, you know as immigrants coming to this country is phenomenal. They deserve all the praise, all the black communities do all.”

“Kidnapping Inc. is a Haitian film in Creole, which is also a Quebec co-production. A very exciting, funny film about a kidnapping that goes wrong. That’s one to watch as well,” added Méan.

Some films highlighted at the festival include Le dernier repas (The Last Meal), Salem, Rouge, Luther: Never Too Much, Moses: 13 Steps, Sway, Madame Luna, Igualada, Fight Like a Girl, Kidnapping, and many more.

Festival screenings will take place at Olymia, Concordia Theater, Quartier Latin, Cinema du Parc et du Musée.

Tickets for the festival can be found online by clicking here.