A word from the president

THE MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2011

Since its founding 35 years ago, the Montreal World Film Festival has remained faithful to its founding principles. The MWFF offers film lovers and professionals a rich program based on cultural diversity, innovation, independence and creativity. The success and international reputation of the Montreal World Film Festival are firmly linked to these principles and goals. In 2011, the MWFF will mark the 35th anniversary of its founding from August 18 to 28.

Last year's president of the Festival's jury, the renowned Swedish director Bille August (multiple Cannes festival and Oscar winner), closed the 2010 Festival by declaring it to be the premier event of its kind.

Confirming this opinion, Influence Communication, Canada's top information broker and aggregator, which collects and aggregates 700,000 news items from around the world, analyzed fallout from the Montreal World Film Festival and concluded that it is "Quebec's standard-bearer in international media", the Quebec event that is the most widely covered around the world.

The exhibition of films in movie theatres has undergone considerable transformation in recent years. For a long time, even ahead of New York and Los Angeles, Montreal was the North American city where cinephiles could avail themselves of the broadest selection of works from around the world. These days, the programming of commercials cinemas is dominated by blockbusters. Without the Montreal World Film Festival and its annual selection of some 400 films from 80 countries, the Montreal film landscape would be drastically reduced.

In addition to its program of screenings, the 2011 Festival will present a wide series of film-related activities. We invite you to consult our web site regularly for details.

The World Film Festival is the only competitive film event in North America recognized by FIAPF, the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations.

Bon festival!

Serge LOSIQUE President

The Montreal World Film Festival is recognized by FIAPF (Fédération internationale des associations de producteurs de films – the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations) as the only competitive festival in North America.

See you soon,
Serge LOSIQUE
President