AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Massimadi Film Festival Returns for Its 18th Edition
The Massimadi Film Festival, known for championing Afro-Queer pride in Montreal, is set to celebrate its 18th edition from October 15 to November 8. The festival continues its mission to create welcoming spaces for Afro-Queer and Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and audiences, reflecting growth in diversity and representation across film and the arts.
Opening Night Highlights: Living Memories Theme
This year’s theme, "Living Memories", sets the tone for a festival dedicated to exploring identity, history, and resilience within the Afro-Queer and Indigenous communities. The festival will open on October 15 at Théâtre Plaza with a screening of My Gender Is Black, a film by Terry Blade focusing on gender, identity, and liberation. The kickoff event features live performances from artists Dee Joyce, DJ Tokyo Mamii, Ohemaa, Big Sissy, RèN Darah, and Athena Lucie Assamba, followed by a reception. Entry is free but requires online reservations.
Films and Programs: Exploring Afro-Queer and Indigenous Narratives
The 2026 Massimadi Film Festival will showcase nearly 40 works, including Afro-Queer films and Indigenous films. The festival’s lineup is organized around several short film blocks addressing themes such as family, Black and Queer histories, and Afro-Queer communities in the Antilles and the Guianas. Additionally, two blocks of short films from Wapikoni are included, highlighting Indigenous and Two-Spirit perspectives and experiences.
Among the featured films are:
- What Will I Become? – Following its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, this documentary explores the resilience and struggles of transgender boys, addressing statistics such as 50% having attempted suicide.
- Black Burns Fast – Directed by Sandulela Asanda, this coming-of-age feature is set in a prestigious South African boarding school and follows 17-year-old Luthando as she reconsiders her identity after meeting Ayanda.
- Guyane, amours taboues – This documentary follows Matilda Pierre, a 26-year-old Guyanese actress, as she publicly embraces her sexual orientation in a society where homosexuality remains taboo, and delves into the experiences of many young LGBTQIA+ in French Guiana.
Where and How to Experience the Festival
Screenings will be held at several Montreal venues, including Cinéma Public, ONF (1501 Bleury), Théâtre Plaza, and the McCord Stewart Museum. For those unable to attend in person, the online film screenings will be available from October 26 to November 8. This virtual program will stream to viewers not only throughout Quebec and Canada but also internationally, including Haiti, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Belgium, and the United States. Unlike many montreal film festival events, Massimadi provides wider accessibility by minimizing geo-blocking restrictions.
Exhibitions and Drag Performance Events Enhance the Festival
This year, the Massimadi Film Festival extends beyond cinema, featuring a group exhibition called Le/The Sanctum at the Maison de la culture de Côte-des-Neiges. Opening October 22, this exhibition presents a living archive and intimate refuge curated by and for Black femmes, though it welcomes all visitors seeking understanding and connection.
The celebration of afro queer pride continues on October 25, as the closing program Celebrating Our Voices combines drag, dance, comedy, and poetry. The night will conclude with a drag party at Club DD’s from 8 to 11 p.m., capping a series of inclusive drag performances and community gatherings.
Inclusive Access and Further Information
The Massimadi Film Festival has grown into a vital platform for black queer history, indigenous storytelling, and lgbtqia community celebration. For more details about the complete schedule or to reserve tickets for in-person and online events, visit the Massimadi Film Festival website.
Source: cultmtl.com.
