Outspoken Entertainment
Showcasing Diversity and Humanitarians at International Black Film Festival
Every year, Montreal raises the bar for cultural events and festivals. This September it will do so by hosting the 8th annual Montreal International Black Film Festival, complete with special guests.
“This festival is to really honour the achievement and success from different Black communities all around the world,” said Fabienne Colas, founder of the festival. “We definitely have the best crowd, the best audience, the best guests and it just keeps on growing and we want to be able to give it back to them.”
The MIBFF was founded in 2005 by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and its goal is to promote arts and cinema as well as the cultural development of the independent film industry and promote the different Black realities throughout the world.
This year, the festival will be presenting the MIBFF Humanitarian Prize to the legendary Harry Belafonte, famous singer and social activist, on Sept. 19 at Cinema Imperial.
The following day, the screening for the biopic Sing Your Song will be held at Concordia (Room H-110) at 7 p.m. followed by a Q&A with Mr. Belafonte. Directed by Susanne Rostock, it focuses on Harry Belafonte’s life as a famous singer just as much as one of the most endearing fighters for justice and human rights.
Having raised awareness not only with his words but with actions, helping organize 1963’s March on Washington and in 1985 the Grammy Award-winning song “We Are the World” which raised funds for Africa. Belafonte is recognized as one of the strongest voices of his generation alongside Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
“We never thought of having a ‘national treasure’ such as Harry Belafonte when we first founded the Festival,” Fabienne exclaims. “We are so honoured to have achieved something so big and to be able to create this bridge between Harry and newer generations since he always put his life on the line for selfless efforts, and we want to make that available to people.”
Montreal International Black Film Festival September 19 to 30 at Cinema du Parc (3575 Park Avenue) and others / Tickets $10-$25
