Halifax Black Film Festival offers top-tier programming

The Halifax Black Film Festival runs from February 24-28

CITYnews halifax \ Jordan Parker

As the Halifax Black Film Festival enters its seventh year, it’s more committed to quality content for attendees than ever before.

“We’re just so excited. We’ll be in-person and online, and we want this festival to be accessible for all,” said Fabienne Colas, the festival’s president and founder.

There are iterations in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Halifax, and programming is top-of-mind for the event.

“We have 70 films from 10 different countries. It’s just so much amazing content,” said Colas, who also has Being Black In Canada – as well as Halifax — presented by Netflix and screening films from young filmmakers between 18-30 from key areas,

One such film is My Type of Hair, from Halifax resident Juliet Mawusi. Her film follows her own personal story and is a documentary about Black women trying to keep their natural hair.

“I feel great about the festival starting. It was an amazing opportunity to work with great talent and show the world what we can do,” said Mawusi.

That said, she acknowledges making the film within the program was a difficult – and rewarding – task.

“Time-wise it was super tense. We had two weeks to outline and two days to shoot, as well as a few days to edit,” she said.

“We had really great people to fall back on, from crew members to mentors and teachers. They were all there to help us.”

Originally from Ghana, Mawusi came to do a journalism degree. This program allowed her to work in documentary film.

“We had a world premiere in Toronto, which was amazing. I loved seeing it on the big screen. It was exciting and fulfilling. It will be nice to see it here too,” she said.

Mawusi is happy to get the film out there, and provide some context on an important issue.

“We wanted to create awareness about what the Black community goes through. We haven’t been able to get the right product for our hair, and it’s a problem we’ve been facing for generations. Educating the public is so important,” she said.

Colas is so excited to show that and many other films at the festival, running from February 24-28.

“I remember the first time we did this in Halifax, we had one film on one night. Our opening and closing were the same day,” she said. “Now look at us. This is all because of the support of Haligonians.

They’ll be at Park Lane Cinemas on Spring Garden Road. Cineplex has been good to them and she’s happy to return.

“It’s such a convenient location. People know it and we’ve been working with them a long time. Artists and audience like it, and between there and the Halifax Central Library, we have good locations,” she said.

She is astounded at the opening film her programming team nabbed – a sold-out Friday screening will see Black Panther star Letitia Wright in a powerhouse performance for film Aisha.

“Aisha is a really cool thing for us. It’s a marquee film. It’s the story of a young Nigerian girl seeking asylum in Ireland. She has to navigate bureaucracy, and faces deportation,” said Colas.

“It asks what you do when you don’t have full hope you’ll make it. How do you keep hope alive as you try to survive these emotional and physical hurdles? It’s an inspiring story.”

There will also be the HBFF Black Market, which will feature panels at the Halifax Central Library. Panelists include well-known artists and entertainers, including Diggstown creator Floyd Kane, National Film Board Executive Producer Rohan Fernando, Cory Bowles of Trailer Park Boys and Black Cop fame, Kayla Borden, Elle Noir (Chris Cochrane), filmmaker Koumbie, and more.

“We just have so much to offer. The film festival isn’t only for established industry people, but also those emerging and in mid-career. We wanted to give a voice to everyone. With all these people together, magic will happen,” she said.

The importance of something like the Halifax Black Film Festival is something Colas remains steadfast and passionate about.

“We all live in the same society and community, regardless of skin colour. It’s important for us to understand each other better. We also need to give voices for the younger generation,” she said.

“They are the future of this country and province. We need films that have something to say, as well as uplifting films, important stories and films that show us realities. There is just so much here.”

For tickets and more information, visit HalifaxBlackFilm.com.