The Filminists propose for their 6e edition a particularly fragmented program, both militant and festive, academic and light, rooted in current events. And accessible, on top of that.
“We are a festival on a human scale, here, you can see everything, you can do everything”, explain in an interview the dynamic co-directors of this small festival of feminist films, five in number (one was missing during our interview ), in particular Gabrielle Doré, Soline Asselin, Anne-Julie Beaudin and Coppélia La Roche Francœur (absent: Maha Farah Elmir), who are also friends in life.
On the menu, from March 8 to 16: five feature films, 58 shorts, numerous discussions, around thirty guests, in addition to a host of parallel activities. Let’s mention: an exhibition, a master class, a feminist quiz, even a “pitch session”. Without forgetting their flagship evening, almost unavoidable, called the Filminounes, devoted to pornographic pleasures (feminist, it goes without saying) at the legendary cinema L’Amour, which now needs no introduction.
Note that many activities are free (or with a “voluntary” contribution), and some screenings will also be available online. All discussions will also be interpreted in Quebec Sign Language (LSQ). “We want to be as accessible as possible,” insist the co-directors.
We remember that several Montreal festivals have sounded the alarm lately, fearing for their survival, including Montreal completely circus, the Montreal New Cinema Festival and Fantasia. Last fall, the Montreal Feminist Film Festival announced its final edition, for lack of funds. “We learned the news with great sadness, because there was room for two feminist festivals. It’s a shame, ”reacted the Filminists team.
It must be said that their festival is doing rather well. “Probably because we don’t have a structure like other festivals, with employees, explain the co-directors. We pay ourselves small fees, which are not commensurate with the time we put in, and our project started on a voluntary basis. That said, all the films and all the participants here are paid for, thanks to multiple subsidies. “We don’t cry out for hunger, because we all have a double life on the side that makes us live. And if we weren’t friends, we might not be ready to see each other like this, it wouldn’t work. The basis of the project is friendship, ”they argue.
Four favorites not to be missed:
The closing film: Through the Night
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Through the Nightdocumentary by Loira Limbal
Documentary by Loira Limbal, Through the Night presents the daily life of a couple from New York State who run a 24/7 daycare centre. “Really touching,” says Gabrielle Doré. They are absolutely dedicated people. Not to mention the portrait of these mothers with atypical hours who use such services, a reality as harsh as it is misunderstood.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Myriam Lapointe-Gagnon, instigator of the Ma Place au travail movement.
March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Ausgang Plaza.
The evening Roule-moi l’clip
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An evening screening of 20 music videos
An evening of screening of 20 music videos by artists to discover as we hardly see any more. In the final, all the directors will be invited on stage in an event that promises to be both festive and unifying. ” A big safe space feminist”, summarizes Coppélia La Roche Francœur.
March 11 at 9:30 p.m. at Ausgang Plaza.
The documentary feature Sirens
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Sirens, documentary by Rita Baghdadi
This documentary by Rita Baghdadi stages an improbable group, exclusively female trash metal, lesbian moreover, in Beirut. “We follow the story of a friendship, of a musical project, against a backdrop of economic and political crisis”, sums up Anne-Julie Beaudin. To have.
March 11 at 6 p.m. at Ausgang Plaza.
Triple Curriculum: Back to the Feminist Future
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The End of Wonderland (by Laurence Turcotte-Fraser) on trans and multidisciplinary artist Tara Emory
To highlight the return of feminist science fiction, participants are invited to come in costume for this triple program as diverse as it is fun. On the menu: five dystopian or retrofuturistic shorts; the Quebec documentary feature film The End of Wonderland (Laurence Turcotte-Fraser) on the trans and multidisciplinary artist Tara Emory; as well as the movie UpUranus, by the same Tara Emory. “There will be a lot of emotions in this evening! “, promises Soline Asselin. Don’t miss: the discussion with the filmmakers.
March 10 from 5:15 p.m. at Ausgang Plaza.