Massimadi festival
Onward to the 18th edition!

Mark your calendars!
The festival will run from October 15 to November 8, 2026.

So, the last few years have been marked by setbacks in LGBTQ+ rights around the world, from the criminalization of homosexual relations in Burkina Faso and Trinidad and Tobago to the proliferation of anti-trans laws in the United States—setbacks that call into question our rights, our histories, and our very existence—the festival unfolds
this year under the theme "Living Memories" .
This edition reaffirms the urgent need to safeguard our histories and propel our own narratives in the face of attempts at erasure. Whether in person in Montreal or online via its hybrid format, the festival promises spaces for dialogue and significant discoveries to celebrate the resilience of our communities.

AN INTERNATIONAL AND DIVERSE PROGRAMMING
The program includes eight days of in-person film screenings in Montreal, two weeks of online screenings, and panel discussions exploring the festival's themes. For its 18th edition, the Massimadi Festival presents nearly forty films, including international, Canadian, and Quebec premieres.
The programming highlights the richness and diversity of queer, Afro-descendant, and Indigenous voices through
Productions from Canada, the United States, France, Brazil, and South Africa. Documentaries, dramas, experimental works, and animation intertwine to offer a unique and vibrant panorama of our realities.

THE FILM MY GENDER IS BLACK TO BE FEATURED AT THE OPENING NIGHT
The 18th edition will kick off on October 15th at the Plaza Theatre with the inaugural screening of My Gender Is Black – a powerful film that explores the complex intersections of gender identity, race, and emancipation. This opening night will also feature artistic performances and a networking opportunity.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 18TH EDITION
● A Two-Spirit Indigenous Cinema Focus (Co-presented with Wapikoni Mobile and in partnership with the NFB): A selection of short and feature films by Indigenous filmmakers, exploring the sacred, fluid, and contemporary identities of people
two-spirit.
● A group exhibition in partnership with Nigra Iuventa
● A Drag Show evening: A colorful evening celebrating the art, talent and creativity of artists from the Afro and queer drag scene.