Windsor’s International Black Film Festival doubles attendance

Organizers and participants of the Windsor International Black Film Festival pose at the red carpet. (Source: 893 Photo)

In its second showing, the Windsor International Black Film Festival found success on the screen and between the aisles.

As the weekend wrapped up, Christie Nelson, the festival’s president, said they saw the number of people in the studio for screenings double compared to last year.

“So, what it really says is raising and uplifting and elevating black voices in cinema is something that people want to see more and hear more of,” Nelson told CTV News.

The three-day event featured more than a dozen films and master classes on securing funding for films.

The festival is a celebration of members of the African diaspora who are thriving in the film industry, including directors, writers and actors.

“So, it’s about really being able to tell our stories from our perspectives, just like anybody else from any ethnicity,” Nelson explained.

“If you live the experience, who better to tell that story than the person who’s lived the experience.”

This year’s screenings included work from Canada, Senegal, the United States, and Togo, among other nations.

While his films were not showing at the WIBFF this time around, Ousmane Ndoye, a Denver, Colo. based filmmaker, felt a need to attend and support the festival.

“Us being born in Africa, we’ve learned that if you are part of a village, you should contribute for the betterment of that village,” Ndoye said.

By using film to see through different lenses, Ndoye said it was his belief that people could become more understanding of each other.

It’s Ndoye’s hope his next film will be ready in time for the 3rd annual WIBFF next year.

“I always tell people, anybody can wake up in the morning and become a victim of anything, but how can we take our spirit of being a victim of something and turn it to victory,” Ndoye explained about his approach in the film industry.

“I use film to [turn] victim mindset to victory mindset by addressing issues, not just addressing them, but also offering solutions through film.”

As the film fest’s second edition draws to a close, Nelson noted there’s optimism for their future in Windsor.

“So it’s really about setting a standard and celebrating year after year to leave a legacy and to leave something for the next generation,” Nelson said.