IMAGE+NATION RUNS WILD FOR 36TH EDITION!
Canada’s Original LGBT2SQ+ Film Festival is Back with Another Groundbreaking Program of New Queer Storytelling
Hybrid Edition in Montreal Theatres + Curated Programming Available Online in Quebec and Across Canada
November 16–26, 2023
image+nation, presented by the Canada Media Fund, is Canada’s pioneering LGBT2SQ+ �lm festival and a dynamic platform for telling Queer stories of all types and all stripes. From November 16 to 26, the fest is back with some of the most innovative, creative, and unique �lms and activities that showcase the incredible power, resilience, and enthusiasm of Queer Storytelling. For the 36th edition, Montreal audiences will be treated to in-person screenings, panel discussions, events, and more, while cinephiles across Quebec and Canada will have the exclusive opportunity to catch carefully curated programming online throughout the 11-day run of the festival.
Featuring 175 �lms from the four corners of the globe, I+N36 is proud to put an emphasis on diversity in all of its forms, by presenting masterfully crafted �lms
from 27 countries, including South Africa, Bulgaria, Romania, Nigeria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Mexico, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Argentina, Italy, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ireland, Ukraine, Portugal, Brazil, as well as Germany, the US, and right here in Quebec & Canada.
In addition to the vast international reach of the festival, I+N36’s focus is also local and �ercely Canadian, with wildly exciting contributions courtesy of festival favourites, QUEERMENT QUÉBEC, MADE AU CANADA, and
INDIGIQUEER. France will also be in the spotlight with the FOCUS FRANCE program: a space for French Queer voices to be seen, heard, and shared.
"We are �rmly committed to accessible queer representation and embrace online tools to bring LGBT2SQ+ stories and storytellers to our audiences both here, with full programming, and across the country with our Made au Canada offerings. We do this because seeing ourselves on screens, in all our diversities, and sharing our stories matters. Because there is power in identi�cation and importantly, because there is joy in [queer] viewing." – Charlie Boudreau (Director, image+nation)
This year’s opening �lm, Marinette, tells the story of Marinette Pinchon, the very �rst French soccer player to sign a professional contract in the U.S, and one of the �rst top French sportswomen to come out as queer. Filmmaker Virginie Verrier, and Marinette Pichon, herself, will be in attendance.
The I+N36 closing event will put the extra in extravaganza, with the world premiere of Venus Envy: The House of Venus Story, based on Canada’s own internationally renowned fellowship of multidisciplinary artists whose mission has always been to spread joy while simultaneously opening up discussions about gender expression, long before the current discourse was brought to the fore. And for those looking for some extra fun, the evening also features a oneof-a-kind immersive show and party by legendary art/performance platform, Wiggle.
Making a welcome return, the A QUESTION OF GENDER focus is back, including �lms like Close to You, starring and produced by Elliot Page, the documentaries Summer Qamp, Who I Am Not and double bill, The Aggressives and Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later, as well as a powerful short �lm programme.
Canada’s lesbian community will also be celebrated in a LESBIAN HISTORY
FOCUS with a screening of Marusya Bociurkiw’s Analogue Revolution: How Feminist Media Changed the World followed by a discussion with the �lmmaker and participants, as well as Marie Labory’s Lesbiennes, quelle histoire ?, plus the latest short by fan favourite Céline Sciamma.
This year also marks the return of the groundbreaking I+N x FMC/CMF SERIES featuring discursive and informative encounters with Canadian �lm, episodic, and game creators, including: Jennifer Markowitz (Summer Qamp), Sandi Somers (Hailey Rose), Blake Mawson, Bobbi Summers, Lily Kazimiera (I Hate People, People Hate Me), Vivek Shraya (How to Fail as a Popstar), Chloé Lussier (The Bed We Made - Lowbirth Games), Audrey Storey and Lucas J.W. Johnson (Glitchhikers - Silverstring Media). These enlightened conversations with Canadian Queer cinema, TV, webseries, and game creators serve to challenge, engage, and entertain audiences – a key element of image+nation’s ongoing mission, to create environments that give voice to Canadian queer art and artists and the myriad of perspectives, identities and voices they share with us through their work and the new queer stories they tell.
“When we see stories of queer lives and loves shining on our screens, it’s because brave and passionate people from our communities have dared to share them with the world: the I+N x FMC/CMF series is back this year to offer us a unique opportunity to discover more of those who inspire us.” – Mathieu Chantelois (Executive Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, Canada Media Fund)
More details about I+N36 festival focuses can be found below & online at www.image-nation.org/en/festival-2023-en .
IMAGE+NATION36
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING & FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
OPENING FILM | MARINETTE
(Virginie Verrier - France - 2023 - 93 min)
Thursday, November 16 - 7pm - Cinéma Imperial
Marinette Pichon was the �rst French women's and men's footballer to sign a professional contract in the U.S., and is considered to be the �rst star of women's football in France. This energetic biopic traces the life of one of the best French soccer players of all time, and her lifelong struggle to be treated equally in a country to which she has given so much. Adapted from Marinette Pichon's autobiography (Ne jamais lâcher rien, 2008), Marinette looks back at the career of a pioneer, one of the �rst top French sportswomen to come out as a queer.
Filmmaker Virginie Verrier and Marinette Pichon will be in attendance.
CLOSING EVENT | VENUS ENVY: THE HOUSE OF VENUS STORY
(Michael Venus - Canada - 2023 - 78 min)
Saturday, November 25 - 7pm - Cinéma Imperial
Marinette (2023) by Virginie VerrierMix music, outrageous fashion and performances, and cutting-edge video techniques in a queer, subversive blender and what do you get? The House of Venus: Canada’s own internationally renowned fellowship of multidisciplinary artists who spread joy and opened up gender long before the current discourse.
Though the collective was in�uenced by American artists like Andy Warhol and the decadence of the New York Club Kids, their epic and ongoing history evolved across Canada. Gestating in Windsor, Ontario in the early 90s, they went on to inject culture into Vancouver’s nightlife, with members forming the non-pro�t Never Apart in Montreal in 2015. Director (and founding member) Michael Venus uses Venus Envy to document the astounding rise and unique DIY spirit of the collective right up to the 25th anniversary of their wearable art extravaganza Wiggle, giving us a kinetic front row experience of all the personalities and parties that went into making this House “a special little boutique of madness in Canada.” Though they attract megawatt talent like Lady Bunny and Honey Dijon, it has been—as testi�ed by an eclectic range of interview subjects—their warm connections and no-judgement-attitude that de�nes their legacy.
I+N x FMC/CMF SERIES
With the collaboration of the Canada Media Fund, image+nation36 sees the return of the groundbreaking I+N x FMC/CMF SERIES featuring discursive and informative encounters with Canadian �lm, episodic, and game creators. Guests include: Jennifer Markowitz (Summer Qamp), Sandi Somers (Hailey Rose), Blake Mawson, Bobbi Summers, Lily Kazimierai (I Hate People, People Hate Me), Vivek Shraya (How to Fail as a Popstar), Chloé Lussier (The Bed We Made - Lowbirth Games), Audrey Storey and Lucas J.W. Johnson (GlitchhikersSilverstring Media)
Venus Envy (2023) by Michael Venus
IMAGE+NATION 36 FESTIVAL FOCUSES
VOIX AUTOCHTONES / INDIGIQUEER
The term Indigiqueer (coined by �lmmaker, TJ Cuthand) acknowledges two intersectional and often overlapping identities: Indigenous and Queer. 2Spirit and queer Indigenous creators across Turtle Island share their stories, their spaces and their realities in our focus Voix Autochtones / Indigiqueer image+nation36 includes festival alum Erica Tremblay’s compelling feature, Fancy Dance as well as an exceptional programme of short �lms that celebrate the power and sacredness of 2Spirit and Indigiqueer spaces and identities.
Hailey Rose (2023) by Sandi Somers
UNE QUESTION DE GENRE / A QUESTION OF GENDER
Many of this year’s �lms star trans, non-binary and intersex �gures who thrive in their truths, challenging gender norms along the way. Fresh and bold, in our focus Une question de genre / A Question of Gender these �gures have much to say about the bodies and cultures they inhabit and the changing world we live in; evolving and expanding trans, non-binary and intersex representations within popular culture and by doing so, widening the parameters by which queerness is articulated both on and off the screen. Including Close to You, starring and produced by Elliot Page, the documentaries Summer Qamp, Who I Am Not and double bill, The Aggressives and Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later as well as a powerful short �lm programme.
Fancy Dance (2023) by Erica Tremblay
FOCUS FRANCE
A key initiative at image+nation is creating space for francophone queer voices to be seen, heard and shared. Focus France continues that mandate in our 36th edition through our ongoing collaboration with the Consulat général de France à Québec. Focus France offers three extraordinary features: our Opening Night Film, Marinette, the dazzling, timely biopic of French football (or soccer, here in Canada) trailblazer, Marinette Pichon, Arrête avec tes Mensonges (Lie with Me) based on the book by proli�c author, Philippe Besson, and Le paradis (The Lost Boys) by Zeno Graton, as well as a remarkable collection of short �lms by French queer creators.
Who I Am Not (2023) by Tunde Skovran
MADE AU CANADA
For decades Canadian LGBT2SQ+ �lmmakers have created some of the most intelligent and inspired �lms within the queer cinema canon. Made au Canada highlights their talents and visions. Including the features Hailey Rose, My Animal and Polarized as well as the riveting documentaries: Summer Qamp, Analogue Revolution: How Feminist Media Changed the World and Venus Envy: The House of Venus Story, this year we go national with our shorts programme and a selection of features and documentaries available virtually across the country.
Le Paradis (The Lost Boys) (2023) by Zeno Graton
QUEERMENT QUÉBEC
A celebration of local image-makers and a cornerstone initiative, Queerment Québec has showcased an eclectic and entertaining mix of emerging and established talent for over two decades. Proving our city is a hotbed of queer creativity, year after year these local content creators do not disappoint, offering up dazzling stories that speak of and to uniquely Québécois queer cultural perspectives.
Summer Qamp (2023) by Jennifer Markowitz
ALL DETAILS ABOUT TICKETS, PROGRAMMING AND MORE AT:
www.image-nation.org/en/festival-2023-en
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ABOUT IMAGE+NATION
A pioneer of LGBT2SQ+ cinema for over 30 years, image+nation is dedicated to sharing the stories and experiences of LGBT2SQ+ people. image+nation is an inclusive annual 11-day festival, the oldest of its kind in Canada, featuring award-winning locally and internationally produced �lms that strives to preserve the authenticity and diversity of LGBT2SQ+ voices.
image+nation's mission is to represent, protect and prepare present and future generations of queer storytellers and media makers while building empathy through sharing stories with audiences here in Canada, and throughout the world with new online initiatives.
Currently, image+nation is also developing a series of educational and mentoring programs dedicated to nurturing emerging content, such as I+N Explore, inaugurated in 2016, the newly minted I+N StoryLab and the newest initiative, a virtual queer exhibition space that works towards bringing queer creators together to make amazing things happen.
Now into its fourth decade of showcasing LGBT2SQ+ culture, image+nation explores New Queer Storytelling and the uniqueness and universality of these stories; striving to promote diversity, inclusivity and the many intersectional aspects of queer voices and communities.
image-nation.org
ABOUT THE CANADA MEDIA FUND
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, �nances and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives �nancial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite and IPTV distributors.
cmf-fmc.ca
Download high res �lm stills HERE
Media Contacts
Danny Payne | 514-621-8657 | danny@raisondetremedia.ca
Alex Nitsiou | 514-443-3731 | alex@raisondetremedia.ca
