The Massimadi Festival is an annual arts and cultural festival in Montreal, Quebec, which centres on LGBTQ culture from Africa and the African diaspora.[1] Launched in 2009 by activist Laurent Lafontant,[2] the event stages a program of artistic exhibitions, film screenings and panel discussions on Black LGBTQ communities and topics.[3]
In 2021, the organization also launched Massimadi en rue, a street performance event staged separately from the festival.[4]
An event, created in collaboration with Haitian LGBTQ activist Charlot Jeudy, was slated to launch in Port-au-Prince in 2016, but was cancelled after threats of violence from anti-gay protestors.[5]
The event is a qualifying festival for the Canadian Screen Awards.[6]
References
edit- ^ T'Cha Dunlevy, "8th Massimadi Festival celebrates LGBTQ, Afro-Caribbean films". Montreal Gazette, February 15, 2016.
- ^ Antoni Nerestant, "Carving a space for the Black LGBTQ+ community through film and art". CBC News, Montreal, February 1, 2022.
- ^ Hannah Sabourin, "Massimadi Festival celebrates Black filmmakers and their stories". The Link, February 13, 2022.
- ^ Olivia Piché, "Massimadi foundation branches out with their new initiation Massimadi en rue". The Link, September 19, 2021.
- ^ "LGBT festival canceled in Haiti amid threats to organizers". CBS News, September 27, 2016.
- ^ "2024 Canadian Screen Awards: Eligible Festivals & Online Platforms". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, 2023.