Montreal hosts 21st edition of International Black Film Festival, showcasing 70 films from around the world
Posted September 24, 2025 10:28 pm.
Last Updated September 24, 2025 10:52 pm.
Montreal’s International Black Film Festival kicks off its 21st edition on Wednesday at Théâtre Outremont, presenting 70 films from 20 countries including 40 Canadian productions with this year’s theme exploring the art of adaption from novel to screen.
“I think it’s very necessary for our stories to be out there, I mean being a minority in the industry in general and overlooking our stories and there’s so many of them,” said Josa Maule, owner and casting director of Montreal School of Performing Arts.
“The Montreal Black Film Festival is about film, but it’s also about discussions, workshops, masterclasses, it’s about networking pitches for people in the film industry to meet and then to network, but also for the general audience to come and dive into great amazing black films that they would never have seen otherwise,” said Fabienne Colas, president and founder of Montreal International Black Film Festival.
The festival is also paying tribute to author Dany Laferrière, marking 40 years since the release of his landmark novel How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired.
“A book is completely different from a film,” said Laferrière. “You shouldn’t compare them, or you’ll be disappointed. A book is a form of art we create first for ourselves, hoping others will enjoy it. Cinema, on the other hand, is entirely for others — we don’t make films just for ourselves.”
“We’re so blessed to have him as the honorary president,” said Colas. “He’s going to receive tonight the lifetime achievement award of the Montreal Black Film Festival 2025.
The evening continued with the Quebec premiere of ‘Hedda’ by Nia Dacosta.
“Nia Dacosta, the director, adapted it into a film and Brad Pitt is one of the executive producers,” said Colas. “And we’re very happy. It’s called Hedda. And the great Tessa Thompson is playing in the film. So we’re just thrilled.”
“We need to support our own,” said Josa Maule, owner and casting director of Montreal School of Performing Arts. “We need to support Montreal. We need to support Montreal events. And we need to support Montreal Canadian filmmakers. We have to.”
