Canada’s biggest black film festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), is returning with a rich and bold program featuring films from all over the world, a "Black Market", exciting special events, a youth training program, tributes, international guests and much more! Moviegoers will get the chance to watch uncut, quality films. Feature-length, mid-length, shorts, documentaries and narrative films will all be presented, most making their Canadian debut!

This year, the MIBFF enters a new era as it celebrates its 10^th anniversary. With new programming and concepts, this prestigious festival will redefine its movie festival template. Over the course of 6 days, festival-goers will have the chance to see actors and directors from all corners of the globe sharing their passions. And there’s something for everyone!

Some of the highlights include: "Hope," "Half of a Yellow Sun," "Ninah’s Dowry," "Aidependence," "Under the starry Sky" ("Des Étoiles"), "Sewing Hope," "Mother of Georges," "Fire in the Blood," "Mirage," "Victorieux ou Morts mais jamais Prisonniers," "We are the Ones," "The Life and Crime of Doris Payne," "The Abominable Crime," "Bound: Africans vs African-Americans," "Little White Lie," "Crocodile du Bostwanga," "Roger Mila la légende," "Haleema, Aissa," "Freedom Road," "Narvalo," and many more! 

Productions are divided into several categories: drama; art, poetry, and music; comedy; accomplishment or portrait; Haitian films; identity, history, and traditions; immigration and segregation; bullying; and the human condition.

A SYMBOLIC CONTEXT 
2014 is a symbolic year for the MIBFF, commemorating several ground-breaking anniversaries, such as: 210 years of Haitian Independence, 20 years of the Rwandan Genocide; 20 years since Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa, and 5 years since Barack Obama became the First Black American President.

TRIBUTES AND HONORARY AWARDS

SPIKE LEE: Academy Award nominated director and screenwriter Spike Lee will receive the Montreal International Black Film Festival’s inaugural PIONEER AWARD on Wednesday September 24, 2014, 7PM at Imperial Theatre. The MIBFF is thrilled to grant him this prestigious award in recognition of his body of work which revolutionized the role of black talent in Hollywood, tearing away decades of stereotypes and marginalized portrayals to establish a new arena for African-American voices to be heard. The International Premiere of "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" by Spike Lee& Q&A will follow the award ceremony. $25 or $150 (VIP)

RÉGINE CHASSAGNE & DOMINIQUE ANGLADE: Both of Haitian decent, they will receive the Social Impact Award on September 26 at Cinéplex Odeon du Quartier Latin, and will be the first women to ever be honoured in the history of the Festival. Anglade and Chassagne co-founded KANPE Foundation, a model for action in the fight against poverty through sustainability. Focusing on underprivileged rural areas, KANPE helps families meet their needs through support in a variety of areas, leading them to financial independence. The award ceremony will precede the screening of the documentary Victorieux ou Morts, mais jamais Prisonniers, followed by a Q&A with directorMario Delatour.  $20

"YOUTH & DIVERSITY" EVENING
Five young and promising filmmakers from black communities in Montreal were selected from a group of around 35 candidates to each direct a documentary short on the theme "Being Black in Montreal." They attended short workshops at L’inis and were mentored by professionals such as the project’s artistic director Henri Pardo. With this first edition of the program "Youth & Diversity," created in honour of MIBFF’s 10th anniversary, the Fabienne Colas Foundation has gone above and beyond its role as a promoter, investing in training the next generation of audiovisual professionals. The first project "Being Black in Montreal" was made possible by l’Inis, Pimiento and the NFB.Screening of the films and discussion with the filmmakers: September 25, 9PM at Former NFB Cinema. $10

MIBFF BLACK MARKET
MIBFF introduces the 1^st edition Black Market, an industry event featuring renowned figures within the Independent film world. This new annual event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wednesday September 24, 8:30AM-5:00PM and features panelists from Los Angeles, New-York, Ontario, Québec. $95

OPENING FILM
On Tuesday September 23, 7PM at Imperial Theater, Boris Lojkine’s HOPE will open the 10^th MIBFF, a North American Premiere. Hope earned the French director/screenwriter the SACD award at this year’s Cannes Festival’s Semaine de la Critique. This is the first fiction film for Lojkine who is known for his Vietnam-centric documentaries "Ceux qui restent" and "Les âmes errantes." $25

CLOSING FILM
The 10^th edition of The Montreal International Black Film Festival will close with the Quebec Premiere of Biyi Bandele’s "Half of Yellow Sun," on Sunday September 28, 7PM at Grande Bibliothèque. "Half of Yellow Sun" premiered in the Special Presentation section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and will come out in theaters on October 4. $25

JOLLYWOOD : MOVIE DISCUSSION
On Friday September 26, 9PM at Former NFB a discussion with David Belle, Founder of Cine Institute will follow "JOLLYWOOD: Cinema Haiti Optimiste" – a collection of recent work from Ciné Institute, Haiti’s only film school. The program features a range of works from students and graduates including award winning films like Amiral Gaspard’s supernatural "Le bon, le méchant et l’apprenti" ("The Good, The Bad, The Apprentice"), and cutting edge projects like Arcade Fire’s interactive "Just a Reflektor" music video directed by Vincent Morisset and produced with assistance from Ciné Institute graduates. $10

2014 JURY MEMBERS

Narrative Feature films: Frédéric Pierre – president of the jury, actor; Danielle Godin, multidisciplinary artist;Henri Pardo, actor, director.

Documentary Feature Films: Ann Arson – president of the jury, actress, director & producer; Don Jordan, actor, president of the actors union, ACTRA Montreal; Michel Desjardins, CEO and director of training programs for the INIS.

Short and mid-length narrative / documentary / animated Films: Jeanne-Marie Poulain – president of the jury, producer; Sonia Quirion, actress & director; Dwayne Blanchette, director.

TICKETS & PASSES

PASSES 
–    PLATINUM CARD Full Access: VIP package  (See details on website) – $495
–    GOLD CARD: Access to all films + Black Market  (Except Da Sweet Blood of Jesus) – $295
–    PASSEPORT:  Access to: Former NFB + Quartier Latin + Opening & Closing Nights – $195
–    BLACK MARKET PASS: Black Market – Hyatt Regency Hotel Only – $95

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS 
–    Regular ticket – 1 film – 10$
–    Opening or Closing Night – 25$
–    Tribute to: Spike Lee + Film + Q&A – 25$ or VIP package $150
–    Tribute to: Dominique Anglade & Régine Chassagne + Film – $20  
–    «Youth & Diversity» or Jollywood: Evenings – $10

VENUES
–    Imperial Theater: 1432, Rue de Bleury
–    Cinéplex Odéon du Quartier Latin: 350, Rue Émery
–    Former NFB Cinema: 1564, Rue St-Denis
–    Hôtel HYATT Regency: 1255, Rue Jeanne-Mance
–    Grande Bibliothèque: 475, Boulevard De Maisonneuve Est

The 10^th Montreal International Black Film Festival – created by Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global Montreal – will take place from September 23 to 28, 2014.

The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) was created in 2005 by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cinema, art and culture. As Canada’s biggest Black Film Festival, MIBFF’s mission is to stimulate the development of the independent film industry and to foster the creation of films on international black realities. The Festival wants to promote a different kind of cinema: cinema from both here and abroad that doesn’t always make it to the silver screen. We showcase ground-breaking cinema that both moves and shocks us, all while raising awareness. Join us for a fresh look at black cinema from all four corners of the globe!

www.montrealblackfilm.com