Myself and the inimitable Claude Chamberlan founder of Festival du Nouveau Cinema
Montreal is the city of film festivals, comedy festivals music festivals and dance festivals. Not only does Montreal have two official languages both French and English, Montreal also sports the widest range of temperature from minus 37 C to plus 38 (we like to add things like humidity or wind chill factor to the mix for added shock value.) Brrrrr... Thankfully us native film festival goers and organizers understand this is simply too brutal for tourists and we must take advantage of les beau temps and squeeze as much out of the more temperate months while they hang over Montreal natives like an axe.
So let's start with Fantasia which is set to begin on July 17th and run until August 5th. A genre festival Fantasia prides itself as one of the top in North America with an emphasis on "imaginative" cinema from Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Next up we have The Montreal International Film Festival of Montreal which takes place the last week in August founded by the director of all film festival directors, the enigmatic controversial but loveable Serge Losique. MWFF has definitely found itself in the news throughout the years and has had its shares of public debate. Nevertheless, anyone who ventures into festival organizing has got to be made of steel and courage.
The goal of the MWFF is to encourage cultural diversity and understanding between nations, to foster the cinema of all continents by stimulation the development of quality cinema as well as promoting filmmakers and innovative work.
Next up we have the Festival du Nouveau Cinema...dare I say one of my favourites. Founded by Claude Chamberlan the FNC has its international profile with the participation of reknown filmmakers such as Wim Wenders. FNC takes place in October just as the autumn chill beings its descent.
Next up we have FIFA The Festival of Film on Arts. FIFA is a strong festival with beautiful original programming on dance, film, art and music both in the documentary , short and feature film genres. Taking place in March, FIFA is a platform for creative film and media art which brings us round again to the beauty of spring and sunshine.
Hans Fraikin - Quebec Film and Television Commisioner and myself at Cannes 2014 - When in Cannes kiss before you freeze..I guess?
