The 42^nd edition of Le FIFA in 10 moments

The 3^rd edition of La Nuit de la danse was eagerly awaited by the dance community, dance enthusiasts and curious onlookers who had heard about this unique Montreal event, for which over 700 people turned out.

We’ll never tire of repeating it: Le FIFA doesn’t just meet the expectations of those who make films about art; it addresses the arts and culture community as a whole, widening its circle to embrace all artistic disciplines (architecture, visual arts, performance, sculpture, music…). The 42^nd edition completes this vision, underlining the central place our festival occupies in the Quebec, Canadian and international cultural landscape. More than just an event, Le FIFA has established itself as the essential crossroads for players in the world of arts and culture, offering a unique space where artists from all horizons can meet, exchange ideas and forge links.

Despite the many challenges posed by the current context, Le FIFA persists in its mission to offer quality experiences at affordable prices. This year was no exception, with the introduction of a discounted rate for the under-30s, as well as increased accessibility for all. True to its philosophy, this year Le FIFA once again expanded its range of free activities for all. Among these initiatives, we were honoured to present two avant-garde works by Quebec artist Vincent Charlebois: one as part of the Art Souterrain festival, and the other projected onto the façade near Métro Saint-Laurent, in collaboration with the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles. These initiatives reflect our commitment to accessibility and innovation, inviting everyone to explore the boundaries of art and culture

In full expansion, the FIFA Connexions professional days continue to grow thanks to the growing commitment of passionate participants and partners, eager to contribute to these unique days. Positioned at the innovative crossroads of the worlds of arts and culture, fostering a dynamic and open dialogue, these days, which feature conferences, roundtables, workshops and screenings, stand out as an inclusive space, welcoming a variety of voices and perspectives. In short, events that offer invaluable opportunities for networking, learning and sharing, open to all those seeking to explore the enriching intersections between different facets of the cultural landscape.

Le FIFA’s carte blanche section continues to set itself apart by offering exclusive collaborations with internationally renowned partners. This year, in collaboration with the Arab World Institute, we were honored to present a unique selection of films by women from various Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine) and Iran. These ​“cartes blanches” also facilitate exchanges between institutions, as was the case this year between Le Fresnoy — Studio national des arts contemporains and the Galerie de l’UQAM, who offered us a tailor-made program that will be included in the Collection de l’institut Français. These ​“cartes blanches” also serve as a springboard for ideas and meetings. A striking example this year was the carte blanche given to Andreina Aveledo, focusing on fashion, who actively engaged the fashion sector in Montreal.

Of the 164 films in our program this year, we’re particularly proud to report that 92 were directed and co-directed by women. This statistic isn’t just a number to us; it represents our active commitment to fostering more inclusive artistic creation and supporting much-needed change within our industry. This commitment is fully in line with our mission, as demonstrated by the organization, for the second year running, of a day entirely devoted to women’s leadership and entrepreneurship in the arts and culture. On March 20, this special day not only inspired and encouraged women active in the arts and culture; it also catalyzed a collective momentum determined to continue the evolution towards greater equity and representativeness. Together, we continue to build a future where every voice has the power to shape our cultural world.

The International Festival of Films on Art isn’t just about screenings, it’s also about creating exclusive artistic events, from the simplest to the most creative, to push the festival experience a little further. This 42^nd edition featured a special concert by soprano Suzie LeBlanc, but Le FIFA was also pleased to welcome director Khoa Lê​’s carte blanche intimate explorations, with a screening followed by a discussion on the subjects of embodied pleasure, the spectrum of sensual practices and sex work, representations of queer and trans people, and intimacies on screen and in the media.

Eight awards were presented this year, with a new national competition.

NATIONAL COMPETITION

BEST CANADIAN SHORT FILM PRIZE for ART ROBOTS by Mathieu Fortin
BEST CANADIAN WORK PRIZE for THE GEOGRAPHIES OF DAR by Monique LeBlanc

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS
BEST ESSAY PRIZE for GHOSTS OF BAGGOTONIA by Alan Gilsenan
BEST PORTRAIT PRIZE for AN OWL, A GARDEN AND THE WRITER by Sara Dolatabadi
JURY PRIZE for THE ARTIST’S DAUGHTER by Margarita Linton
GRAND PRIZE for LA RICERCA by Giueseppe Petruzzellis

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SHORT FILMS
BEST SHORT FILM PRIZE for THE GREAT ENDEAVOR by Liam Young
SPECIAL MENTION for BIG BANG HENDA by Fernanda Polacow

Le FIFA was keen to pay tribute to an artist who has left his mark on the global artistic landscape through his literary and cinematographic contributions, having directed almost three hundred and fifty films and published some sixty works. A multi-disciplinary personality (writer, filmmaker, artist, photographer) and director of the Studio national Fresnoy, Alain Fleischer is an important figure in the history of Le FIFA, having been a member of the jury and winner of several awards. This Tribute Award celebrates a long and fruitful collaboration

It was a packed house for the screening of Victor Pilon​’s long-awaited Sisyphe. An eventful film about an extraordinary performance, it was accompanied that evening by a Q&A rich in emotion and smiles. A screening that will live long in the memory, and which sets the stage for what’s to come for the artist, who will perform again at the Holland Festival in Amsterdam, for 13 days, 6 hours a day.