OPENING NIGHT WITH LILIAN THURAM : 

In Conversation with Lilian Thuram, author of La pensée blanche 

In partnership with TV5 and Mémoire d’Encrier 

Author of La pensée blanche (2020), former international football player and team champion from France, and founder of Lilian Thuram Foundation for the fight against racism and for equality for all), Lilian Thuram will be interviewed by Researcher, Freelance Commissioner, and Nigra I(i)uventa Founder Diane Gistal; Visual Artist and Book and Brunch Founder Tina Mpondani; and Diversité artistique Montréal’s Intercultural Project Manager Jessica Lubino, three young Black women. 

In Conversation with Boucar Diouf

Actor, director, producer, businessperson, and Montreal International Black Film Festival founder Fabienne Colas will interview biologist, comedian, author, host, and columnist Boucar Diouf. In addition to discovering Diouf’s atypical and inspiring career path, news stories such as systemic racism and the Black Lives Matter movement will be discussed.

CLOSING NIGHT WITH RHODNIE DÉSIR: 

Bow’t Trail with Rhodnie Désir and friends

During this exclusive interview, we will look at Bow’t Trail produced by Rhodnie Désir, choreographer, RD Creations artistic director, and project manager. This panel is a continuation of a conversation by Frantz Voltaire from CIDIHCA, Vanessa Kanga from the Afropolitan Nomad Festival, and Pascale Kaniasta Annoual from Arts, Racines et Thérapies, three local personalities with a great deal of knowledge. 

In 2020, Désir won the Prix de la danse de Montréal’s Grand Prix, awarded to her by Quebecor and Ville de Montréal. She was the first Black woman and the youngest choreographer to receive this honour for her work Bow’t Trail. 

Modérator: Déborah Cherenfant, president, Junior Chamber of Commerce of Montreal, entrepreneurship and women’s leadership.

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSIONS

Five round-table discussions about social, cultural, and economic matters from the perspective of people of colour will be presented online, free of charge. The 10th Fade to Black Festival will put the spotlight on news stories with inspiring leading figures in their local communities as well as in Quebec and across Canada. 

• Thursday, February 18, 6 p.m. – Voices from Black youth at peace with themselves amid the chaos ?
• Saturday, February 20, 3 p.m – Black women in STEM: Under-representation to successful business models. 
• Saturday, February 20, 5 p.m. – Black actors in film, television, and theatre across Quebec –
• Sunday, February 21, 5 p.m – The power of “we”: Reclaiming history and culture in the public eye
• Friday, February 19, 4 p.m. – Black Lives Matter: What has changed in the film industry? (in collaboration with the 9th Toronto Black Film Festival)

Free Online Musical Performances

Sarahmée: Kick-off show Wednesday, February 17, 8 p.m. 

Sarahmée is now a must-see on Quebec’s rap scene. She has come back with Irréversible, her second album praised by critics. 

Rebroadcast of Dawn Tyler Watson’s show with guitarist Paul Deslauriers: Thursday, February 18, 8 p.m. 

Montreal’s award-winning singer and composer Dawn Tyler Watson earned her spot among the international blues elite. Her passionate stage presence and moving performances have earned her recognition across Canada and around the world. 

Senaya: Friday, February 19, 8 p.m. 

Charismatic, indisputable talent, amazing performer, warm, beautiful, familiar voice, such are the words critics and fans have used to describe this authentic artist. 

Rebroadcast of Lorraine Klaasen’s show: Saturday, February 20, 8 p.m. 

Lorraine Klaasen is one of few artists from South Africa who have kept the traditional sound of township music, the country’s most distinctive sound. 

Closing night: Rebecca Jean, Sunday, February 21, 8 p.m. 

Rebecca Jean, a versatile artist with refined talent, was born in Montreal. Her music takes us on an introspective journey—a new connection with who we are.