The 4th OTTAWA BLACK FILM FESTIVAL Opens With Le voyage de Talia (Talia’s Journey) by Christophe Rolin + 40 Films From Around the Globe
Necessary, Innovative, Strong, Diverse and Bold Programming – Amplifying Black Voices from March 22 – 26, 2024 – In-Person and Online.
Full Program & All Access Passes at www.OttawaBlackFilm.com
Ottawa, March 11, 2024 – The 4th Ottawa Black Film Festival #OBFF24 is back with a hybrid version to amplify the voices of Afro-descendants. Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, OBFF is thrilled to announce the official program and events lineup, running March 22 – 26, 2024. The In-Person screenings and events will take place at Library and Archives Canada.
#OBFF24 is supported by Canadian Heritage, Library and Archives Canada, Telefilm Canada and Festwave Institute. Through 40 films, various panels, workshops and events, this hybrid fourth edition is aimed at the public from all communities as it highlights the talent of creators from diverse backgrounds and makes room for them to reflect on the issues they face.
“Showcasing exceptional work and authentic Black stories that don’t always make it to the screen is our raison d’être at the Ottawa Black Film Festival. 4 years already! We invite everyone to join us in celebrating diversity off and on camera as well as the differences that make us unique and the shared values that bring us together.” – Said Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver Black Film Festivals.
The opening night is a red carpet event happening at Library and Archives Canada – 395 Wellington Street on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. EST and opens with Le voyage de Talia (Talia’s Journey) by Christophe Rolin (French, with English subtitles). Talia is a 19-year-old Belgian girl, with Senegalese roots, visiting her country of origin for the first time. She starts off in Dakar, in the luxurious villa of her cousin’s family, hoping to meet her grandmother. But her grandmother is nowhere to be found and the villa quickly becomes a “golden prison”. Until she meets Malika, a mysterious bird street seller.
At 9 p.m. EST, all films will be accessible online.
This year’s highlights include Le voyage de Talia (Talia’s Journey), Je suis la France, Semret, Maboungou: Being in the World, and the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA short film series. OBFF Black Market – Introducing an industry series where esteemed professionals share real-world experiences on critical filmmaking and social issues. Join us for an exciting blend of panel discussions, offering insights and perspectives from the forefront of the industry.
Furthermore, a series of thought-provoking short documentaries – will be screened on Saturday and will include: A Synonym for Art Rodgric J., Cretcheu, SkinTone, I Am Because You Are, and many more!
The festival will also present online a series of narrative short films in -person such as Essex Girls, Ta Wali, The Burden of Context, Ada Ani (the awakening), Elegy, Mångata, and more!
The #OBFF24 ALL ACCESS IN PERSON PASS gives access to the entire In person programming and can be purchased on the Festival’s website for $59 (+ tx/fees). The ALL ACCESS ONLINE PASS is available for $49 (+tx/fees). Single tickets for regular films are available for $12; Opening Night for $20. All can be purchased on the Festival’s website and are subject to taxes & fees.
FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Part of Festwave Institute, presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and various partners. March 23rd – Library and Archives Canada 4pm – 9pm & ONLINE Tickets on OttawaBlackFilm.com
30 emerging Black filmmakers from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program will present their short films In-Person at OBFF on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
The FCF’s Being Black in Canada supported 30 Black Canadian Filmmakers, 18 to 30 years old, in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver in the creation of their first documentary short films (8 to 10 minutes). The filmmakers received professional coaching for each stage of the audiovisual production process and then made a short documentary film under the tutelage of industry professionals. A unique project that ensures inspiring emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds.
OBFF BLACK MARKET
Presented by Festwave Institute
The OBFF Black Market is back – FREE IN PERSON and ONLINE! Join us for an exciting blend of progressive and innovative FREE panel discussions and workshops with renowned industry professionals. Gain insights into critical filmmaking and societal issues, alongside community panel discussions aimed at dissecting, important challenges affecting our Black community.
IN-PERSON
SATURDAY, March 23
Library and Archives Canada (395 Wellington St, Ottawa)
- Securing a Space for Black Creatives in Ottawa’s Thriving Film Industry
- The Threat is Real – Is AI Taking Over the Entertainment Industry?
ONLINE
SUNDAY, March 24
- Grant Writing Workshop
- Crafting Auio Stories: The Path to Becoming a Podcast Writer (Bilingual panel)
PARTNERS
The 4th annual Ottawa Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, runs March 22 – 26, 2024 and is supported by Canadian Heritage, Library and Archives Canada, and Telefilm Canada. #OBFF24 is also supported by Festwave Institute, the Montreal Intl Black Film Festival, Toronto Black Film Festival, Halifax Black Film Festival, Calgary Black Film Festival, Vancouver Intl Black Film Festival and Fade to Black / Fondu au Noir in Montreal.
For the complete #OBFF24 programming and events, visit www.OttawaBlackFilm.com
New this year!
OBFF COMMUNITY CORNER
The Community Corner is committed to offering a space for the Black Community to convene and engage. It facilitates participation, discussions, roundtables, and activities aimed at educating the community about pertinent issues, raising awareness, and celebrating its members.
BLACK MARKET ROUND TABLE TALK – Black Women in Media : Co-presented by Saint Paul’s Student Body: Saturday, March 23 – 10 AM – Library and Archives Canada – 395 Wellington St, Ottawa.
The OBFF Tour CECCE
The Equity and Inclusive Education (EEI) team, in collaboration with the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is offering 10th-grade students the opportunity to view three short films as part of the Ottawa Black Film Festival (OBFF) initiative. The three short films directed by emerging Afro-descendant filmmakers include: Kouraj, Les blessures de l’âme et Noire au féminin. This presentation is located in an educational framework and aims to present students with different ways of seeing the world, through a cinematographic lens that highlights the diverse realities of people of African descent in Canada. Help young people to better understand culture, and promote respect for diversity! This tour of Ottawa’s 13 schools will take place from March 18 to 22.
Get Social #OBFF24
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About the Ottawa Black Film Festival – #OBFF24
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 (FCF) is Canada’s largest Black cultural organization. Created in 2005, the FCF is a not-for-profit arts 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, including the highly successful Montreal Black Film Festival, the hugely popular Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival as well as several other successful Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. These initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festival-goers. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers and Festwave Institute, created to empower the next generation of Black & underrepresented film & TV professionals.
For media interview requests: Veronique Fecteau – 514-893-0772 – veronique@perfecteaucomm.com