2nd OTTAWA BLACK FILM FESTIVAL opens with Paul Tom’s ALONE
Necessary, Innovative, Strong, Diverse and Bold programming – Amplifying even more Black Voices from March 24 – 27, 2022 – Online
Full Program & All Access Passes at www.OttawaBlackFilm.com
Ottawa, March 11, 2022 – The 2nd Ottawa Black Film Festival #OBFF22, founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is thrilled to announce the official online program and events lineup, running March 24 – 27, 2022. #OBFF22 is supported by Canadian Heritage, Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, and Le Droit.
#OBFF22 promises to inspire through strong, diverse, and bold programming, available entirely ONLINE across Canada and around the World. Through 44 films and diverse and informative panels, this second Online edition highlights the beautifully crafted stories, and tales of the Black experience and events that have challenged the status quo, caused significant shifts in the cinematic ecosystem and changed how we see the world.
The Festival will open on Thursday, March 24 at 7PM EST with Paul Tom’s ALONE. Then, as of 9 PM EST, all the films will be accessible online. The Festival will close with Amil Shivji’s VUTA N’KUVUTE (TUG OF WAR). This year’s highlights include Alone in a strange world, Jim Button & The Wild 13, Black Mail, Defining us, Gemmel and Tim, Journey of Gogos and the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA short film series. The OBFF Black Market – an industry series where renowned industry professionals share real-world experience on today’s most critical filmmaking and social issues – will present an exciting blend of cutting-edge thinking panel discussions.
The #OBFF22 All Access Pass is available for only $32 and provides access to all films. Passes can be purchased on the Festival’s website.
“What a joy to be back with such an amazing line-up of powerful films and impactful discussions! We are proud to continue to amplify more Black voices and to inspire audiences with the most powerful Black films. In connecting authentic Black stories with viewers of all colors and ethnic origins, we recognize the differences that make us unique and we celebrate the shared values that bring us together.” says Fabienne Colas, founding president of the Ottawa Black Film Festival.
Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and various local partners. 20 Canadian short films from the 2021 cohort will be presented at #OBFF22! The FCF’s Being Black in Canada Program is a professional training program that supported 35 Black Canadian Filmmakers from 18 to 30 years old last year from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Halifax in the creation of documentary short films . BBIC is a vital step on the road towards representation and racial equity, on screen and behind the camera. This unique project ensures to continue inspiring emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds and will change the face of the Canadian Film Industry. Call for Applications for the 2022 edition runs until March 27 HERE.
OBFF BLACK MARKET
Presented by Canadian Heritage
The OBFF BLACK MARKET returns with an exciting blend of cutting-edge thinking. FREE panel discussions with Ottawa industry professionals who will share real-world experience on today’s most critical filmmaking along with thought-provoking panel discussions regarding the social landscape affecting not only the Black Artistic Community but the Black community at large.
- MAKING IT HAPPEN!: Creating Opportunities for the Ottawa Black Film & TV Community
- EMBRACING THE SKIN WE ARE IN: How does one maintain and not lose their Black Identity in Canadian society?
- EMBRASSER LA PEAU DANS LAQUELLE NOUS SOMMES : Comment maintenir et ne pas perdre son identité noire dans la société canadienne ? – French Panel presented by Le Droit
- PLACES WE CALL OUR OWN: This panel will discuss the necessity of creating Safe Spaces and how they positively contribute to the well being of all members of the Black community.
PARTNERS
The 2nd annual Ottawa Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, runs March 24 – 27, 2022 and is supported by Canadian Heritage, Telefilm Canada, and Canada Media Fund. #OBFF22 is also supported by Le Droit, the Montreal Intl Black Film Festival, the Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival, the Calgary Black Film Festival, the Vancouver Intl Black Film Festival and Fade to Black / Fondu au Noir.
For full #OBFF22 programming and events, visit www.OttawaBlackFilm.com
Get Social #OBFF22
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About the Ottawa Black Film Festival – #OBFF22
The Ottawa Black Film Festival (OBFF) is about discovery and Inclusion. A not-for-profit organization created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, OBFF wants to amplify more Black voices and showcase the most relevant Black films from here and abroad while creating a space to debate major cultural, social, and socio-economic issues. The Ottawa Black Film Festival is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world. OBFF’s ambition is to encourage the development of the independent film industry and to promote more films on the reality of Black people from around the Globe.
About the Fabienne Colas Foundation
The Fabienne Colas Foundation is Canada’s largest Black cultural organization. Created in 2005, the FCF is a not-for-profit artistic organization dedicated to promoting Diversity and inclusion in Cinema, Art and Culture in Canada and abroad. Along with Zaza production, the Fabienne Colas Foundation is also the creator of 12 Festivals: the highly successful Montreal Black Film Festival, the hugely popular Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival as well as the several other successful Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers.