{"id":4715,"date":"2026-09-03T01:03:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T05:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/23-au-27-septembre-2026-the-eyes-of-ghana-les-yeux-du-ghana-en-ouverture-du-22e-festival-international-du-film-black-de-montreal\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T01:03:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T05:03:09","slug":"23-au-27-septembre-2026-the-eyes-of-ghana-les-yeux-du-ghana-en-ouverture-du-22e-festival-international-du-film-black-de-montreal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/23-au-27-septembre-2026-the-eyes-of-ghana-les-yeux-du-ghana-en-ouverture-du-22e-festival-international-du-film-black-de-montreal\/","title":{"rendered":"September 23 to 27, 2026. The Eyes Of Ghana opens the 22nd Montreal International Black Film Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/?attachment_id=90370\"><img post-id=\"90369\" fifulocal-featured=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-90370 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MARQUIS-MIBFF26-_-1056-x-528-1.jpg\" alt=\"23 au 27 septembre 2026. The Eyes Of Ghana (Les Yeux Du Ghana) en ouverture du 22e Festival International du Film Black de Montr\u00e9al\" title=\"23 au 27 septembre 2026. The Eyes Of Ghana (Les Yeux Du Ghana) en ouverture du 22e Festival International du Film Black de Montr\u00e9al\" width=\"800px\" height=\"400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MARQUIS-MIBFF26-_-1056-x-528-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MARQUIS-MIBFF26-_-1056-x-528-1-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>2nd MIFBM: Will open with THE EYES OF GHANA by Oscar-winning Canadian director BEN PROUDFOOT \u2013 executive producers MICHELLE and BARACK OBAMAThe Montreal International Black Film Festival unveils its 22nd edition: 70 FILMS FROM 21 COUNTRIES + Tribute to Quebec producer \u00c9RIC IDRISS-KANAGO23 to September 27, 2026<\/p>\n<p>The 22nd edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival (FIFBM) \u2013 #FIFBM26 \u2013 takes center stage. This professional, daring, eclectic and unifying program celebrates the diversity, strength and scope of the stories that shape our time and renew our view of the world.<\/p>\n<p>The Montreal International Black Film Festival (FIFBM), established by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is back for its 22nd edition, from September 23 to 27, 2026, with a program of 70 films from 21 countries, including 1 North American premiere, 8 Canadian premieres, 35 Quebec premieres, 2 Montreal premieres and 3 world premieres. For more than 22 years, the FIFBM is committed to amplifying Black voices on screen and providing an essential platform for filmmakers whose works raise awareness, fuel dialogue, and inspire social change. The largest black film festival in Canada and the only bilingual (French-English) festival of its kind in North America, the MIFBM continues to highlight a new generation of cinema that moves, challenges perspectives and celebrates the diversity of black realities around the world.<\/p><div id=\"linit-2370604666\" class=\"linit-dans-le-contenu linit-entity-placement\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8992136571741975\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px;\" \ndata-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8992136571741975\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"6185130430\"><\/ins> \n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cEach edition of the Montreal International Black Film Festival is an affirmation: our stories matter, our voices matter and our cinema has its place at the heart of the cultural landscape. In 2026, while the world is going through profound transformations, the MIFBM remains an essential space to highlight stories that shake up, that bring people together and that move things forward. We want to continue to give a platform to filmmakers who dare to tell their stories differently, to reveal realities that are too often invisible, to create bridges between cultures and generations, and to open new paths for the next generation. Cinema does not just reflect the world: it can help transform it. This is why we will continue, with audacity and conviction, to celebrate the richness of black voices from here and elsewhere, to defend free, independent and plural cinema, and to make the MIFBM a place where stories become memory, where encounters become possibilities and where dreams become reality. Happy festival to all! \u00bb \u2014 Fabienne Colas, president and founder of the MIFBM<\/p>\n<p>OPENING NIGHT: FILM AND TRIBUTEThe red carpet opening night will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Outremont Theater, with the Quebec premiere of The Eyes of Ghana, directed by Oscar-winning Canadian filmmaker Ben Proudfoot and produced by executive producers Michelle and Barack Obama. Producer Nana Adwoa Frimpong will be present for a Q&#038;A session which will take place after the viewing. Tickets: $35 on the festival website.<\/p>\n<p>Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Ben Proudfoot, The Eyes of Ghana is a powerful feature-length documentary that follows Chris Hesse, a 93-year-old filmmaker and former personal cinematographer to Ghana&rsquo;s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. As blindness progresses and time is running out, Hesse undertakes an exceptional mission: to save and repatriate a hidden archive of more than 1,000 films retracing the birth of African independence in the 1950s and 1960s.<\/p>\n<p>The screening of The Eyes of Ghana will be preceded by a tribute to award-winning Quebec producer \u00c9ric Idriss-Kanago, who will be presented with the MIFBM Avant-Garde Prize. \u201cReceiving the Avant-Garde Prize from the Montreal International Black Film Festival is a huge honor. For me, creating and producing is above all believing in unique voices, taking risks and giving the necessary space to stories that deserve to exist. For more than twenty years, I have sought to accompany stories that explore identity, memory, dreams and our relationship to the world. Through Yzanakio, I wanted to build a creative space where imaginations can be free, bold and deeply human. Being a guest of honor at the MIFBM is an opportunity to celebrate those who dare to create differently. Special mention to all my meetings which made it possible to pursue this vision. The Avant-Garde Prize reminds me that cinema advances when we agree to leave the established paths, to trust new voices and to imagine the world differently. \u00bb \u2014 \u00c9ric Idriss-Kanago, producer and founder of Yzanakio<\/p>\n<p>CLOSING EVENING: FILM AND AWARDS CEREMONYThe #FIFBM26 will close on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 5 p.m. at the Cin\u00e9ma du Mus\u00e9e with the Quebec premiere of DIYA, directed by Achille Ronaimou. Tickets: $25 on the festival website.<\/p>\n<p>Through a deeply human and intimate story, DIYA explores themes of resilience, identity and personal transformation, offering a powerful reflection on contemporary realities and the complexity of human relationships.<\/p>\n<p>The screening of the closing film will be preceded by the MIFBM awards ceremony.<\/p>\n<p>PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS SOME FILMS NOT TO BE MISSED* Rumba Royale \u2013 Hamed Mobasser \u2013 Yohane Dean Lengol (Democratic Republic of Congo)* Seahorse \u2013 Aisha Evelyna (Canada \u2013 Ontario)* El D\u00eda de la Tormenta (The Day of the Storm) \u2013 Alexander Viola (Dominican Republic)* Se Eu Fosse Vivo\u2026 Vivia (If I Were Alive) \u2013 Andr\u00e9 Novais Oliveira (Brazil)* Pasa Faho \u2013 Kalu Oji (Australia)* Mata \u2013 Rachel Lang (France, Belgium)* Soley Twopikal Ak De Je Li \u2013 Elisee Junior St Preux (Haiti)* Brothers in Blood: Black in Vietnam \u2013 Joseph Puleo (USA)* M\u00e9tisses \u2013 Five Women Against a State Crime \u2013 Quentin Noirfalisse and Jean-Charles Mbotti Malolo (Belgium, France)* Biker Heart \u2013 Will Prosper (Canada \u2013 Quebec)* Source \u2013 Lynda Amghar and Jeff Malo (Canada \u2013 Quebec)* Espwa Haiti: Against All Odds (Espwa Haiti: Against All Odds) \u2013 Isabelle Depelteau and No\u00e9mie Ferron (Canada \u2013 Quebec)<\/p>\n<p>CANADA IN THE HONORPresented out of competition in Montreal, as well as in the five other Black Film Festivals in Canada (Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver), this section represents a unique initiative: a pan-Canadian tour allowing essential and striking works to reach audiences across the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Canada in the spotlight 2026 selection includes:* Nocturnal profiling (The Night Watches Us) \u2013 Stefan Verna* Jireh Gospel, a choir family (Jireh Gospel: Hearts in Chorus) \u2013 Wylem Decaille* MABOUNGOU: Hors-centres (Maboungou: Being in the World) \u2013 Marlene Millar and Philip Szporer (Qu\u00e9bec)* Coaching While Black \u2013 Alex Eskandarkhah (Ontario)* 1001 Crowns for My Head \u2013 Habibata Ouarme* Father\u2019s Day \u2013 Ayana O\u2019Shun* True North \u2013 Mich\u00e8le Stephenson* Cypher \u2013 Mariam Barry and Eva Anandi Brownstein* Her Ordinary World \u2013 Samuel Dayomi* Wave Rider \u2013 Dustin Chok* The World Is Ours \u2013 Nadia Louis-Desmarchais* SNAP Parts 1 and 2: Snap \u2013 Archie\u2019s Story \u2013 George Stamos* SNAP Parts 1 and 2: Snap \u2013 Zab\u2019s Story \u2013 George Stamos* Mixed Memories \u2013 Katherine Adams<\/p>\n<p>BEING BLACK IN CANADA \u2013 FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATIONPresented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank and with the support of Telefilm Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. September 24, 7 p.m. | Cinema du Parc | $12<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 30 Canadian short films produced by the 2025 cohort will be presented during #FIFBM26! The \u201cBeing Black in Canada\u201d program is a professional training initiative. Last year, he supported 27 black Canadian filmmakers aged 18 to 30, from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver, in the creation of short documentaries. This program is a critical step toward increased representation and greater racial equity, both in front of and behind the camera. A unique project of its kind, it continues to inspire the next generation by promoting the emergence of talents from cultural diversity. By supporting tomorrow&rsquo;s filmmakers and creating opportunities to tell authentic stories, the program is helping to sustainably transform the Canadian cinema landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Please note that beyond the films from Montreal and Ottawa presented in person at Cin\u00e9ma du Parc, all of the films in the cohort will be available online.<\/p>\n<p>THE BLACK MARKET OF FIFBMPresented by the Festwave Institute, Telefilm Canada and SODECSeptember 26 | Colas Theater | Free, registration only<\/p>\n<p>The MIFBM Black Market is entirely dedicated to professionals in the cinema industry. Conferences, discussions and workshops will provide a privileged space to reflect on the realities of the industry, question established practices, promote collaboration and encourage knowledge sharing.<\/p>\n<p>IN-PERSON PANELS AND WORKSHOPS* September 26, 11:30 a.m. | WORKSHOP: \u201cFrom vision to business: creating your own production house\u201d \u2013 Presented by the Quebec Media Production Association (AQPM)* September 26, 12:45 p.m. | PRESENTATION OF THE REPORT BEING SEEN QU\u00c9BEC \u2013 Produced by Coalition M.\u00c9.D.I.A., Black on Black Films and the Black Screen Office* September 26, 2:15 p.m. | MASTER CLASS: \u201cFrom music to image in the era of artificial intelligence\u201d* September 26, 3:30 p.m. | CASE STUDY: \u201cFrom an emerging voice to a financed feature film\u201d with director Yza\u00efh Ph\u00e9nix-Alphonse \u2013 Presented by the Quebec Association of Media Production (AQPM)<\/p>\n<p>MIFBM IN THE NEIGHBORHOODSPresented by the Fabienne Colas FoundationSeptember 24-25 | Free entry<\/p>\n<p>As part of the 7th edition of the MIFBM in the Neighborhoods, several free screenings will be presented across Montreal, in partnership with various cultural institutions. This initiative offers both young people and the general public free access to films by members of the black community. Each screening will be followed by a 60-minute discussion with the filmmakers.* September 24 \u2013 7 p.m. | In partnership with the Maison de la culture C\u00f4te-des-Neiges | Through your eyes (Brigitte Poupart and Fabiola Pierre-Montly), followed by a discussion with co-director Fabiola Pierre-Montly.* September 25 \u2013 8:30 p.m. | Public Cinema | There Are No False Undertakings by Olivier Godin, followed by an exchange with the filmmaker.* November 15 \u2013 2:00 p.m. | Cultural and community center of Montreal-North | My Brother (Summer Beats) by Lise Akoka and Romane Gu\u00e9ret<\/p>\n<p>LIGHT ON OTHER FORMS OF BLACK ART \u2013 POP-UP MARKET September 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Colas Theater | Free entry<\/p>\n<p>Take part in the second edition of the MIFBM Pop-Up Market at the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Colas, an event that highlights the talent of black artisans and entrepreneurs in Montreal. In this emblematic place, whose raw and history-laden atmosphere continues to inspire, discover a unique selection of artisanal creations, original works, fashion, accessories, interior decoration objects and much more. Come meet passionate creators and celebrate the richness and diversity of entrepreneurship and black artistic creation in Montreal.<\/p>\n<p>THEMES AND KEY FIGURESMajor themes 2026: family, history and traditions, murder and mystery, mental health, social issues, racism and discrimination, political resistance, women&rsquo;s empowerment, sport, music\/dance\/art, romance, migration and displacement, identity, LGBTQ+ experiences, Afrofuturism, and science fiction.<\/p>\n<p>2026 programming in figures:* 70 films* 21 countries represented* 3 world premieres* 1 North American premiere* 8 Canadian premieres* 35 Quebec premieres* 2 Montreal premieres<\/p>\n<p>JURY 2026 Feature fiction films:* Will Prosper (President)* Nadia Zouaoui* Penande Estime Feature documentaries:* Mich\u00e8le Stephenson (President)* Justine Smith* Phyllis GoodenShort and medium-length films (Fiction, documentaries and animation)* Myl\u00e8ne Augustin (President)* Zainab Rabbaa* Samuel Sufren<\/p>\n<p>PRACTICAL INFORMATION<\/p>\n<p>* Dates: September 23 to 27, 2026* Main locations: Outremont Theater (1248 Rue Bernard O, Outremont) Cinema du Mus\u00e9e (1379-A Rue Sherbrooke O.) Cinema du Parc (3575 Avenue du Parc) Public Cinema (505 Rue Jean-Talon E.) Maison de la culture C\u00f4te-des-Neiges (5290 Chemin de la C\u00f4te-des-Neiges) Cultural and community center of Montreal-North (12004 Bd Rolland Local 202H, Montreal-North) Colas Theater (3990 R. Notre Dame O, Montreal) Concordia Theater \u2013 Concordia University SGWU Alumni Auditorium (1455 Rue de Maisonneuve O.)<\/p>\n<p>Created in 2005 by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, the <<a href=\"https:\/\/montrealblackfilm.com\/\">montrealblackfilm.com\/<\/a>> Montreal International Black Film Festival (FIFBM) is today the most important film festival in Canada entirely dedicated to Black realities around the world.<\/p>\n<p>The festival aims to provide the public with access to some of the most remarkable productions of Black cinema while creating opportunities to discuss the major cultural, social and socio-economic issues that shape our society.<\/p>\n<p>The mission of the MIFBM is to encourage the development of independent cinema and to promote a greater number of works highlighting Black realities around the world. The festival favors local and international films that do not always benefit from the visibility they deserve: cinema that moves, raises awareness, challenges perspectives and sparks essential conversations.<\/p>\n<p>Through its programming, the MIFBM offers a current, dynamic and deeply human vision of Black cinema from the four corners of the world: films that make you think, smile, debate, question preconceived ideas and celebrate the universal power of stories.<\/p>\n<div id=\"linit-4167905360\" class=\"linit-apres-contenu linit-entity-placement\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8992136571741975\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px;\" \ndata-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8992136571741975\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"6185130430\"><\/ins> \n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2nd MIFBM: Will open with THE EYES OF GHANA by Oscar-winning Canadian director BEN PROUDFOOT \u2013 executive producers MICHELLE and BARACK OBAMAThe Montreal International Black Film Festival unveils its 22nd edition: 70 FILMS FROM 21 COUNTRIES + Tribute to Quebec producer \u00c9RIC IDRISS-KANAGO23 to September 27, 2026 The 22nd edition of the Montreal International Black [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4716,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MARQUIS-MIBFF26-_-1056-x-528-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"23 au 27 septembre 2026. The Eyes Of Ghana (Les Yeux Du Ghana) en ouverture du 22e Festival International du Film Black de Montr\u00e9al","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communiques"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4715","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4715\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4716"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linitiative.ca\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}