A word from the president

WELCOME TO THE 2010 MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL

Since the beginning 34 years ago, I have made it a point of honour with my colleagues never to depart from the Festival’s founding principles. The program that the MWFF is offering this year to the thousands of cinephiles who will soon flock to our venues is once again marked by cultural diversity, a cinéma d’auteur, an innovative cinema, and by talent. The success and renown of the World Film Festival is firmly based on these principles.

The MWFF is considered the largest fully independent film festival in the world. It is affiliated with no group, organization, company, association or brotherhood. This independence entails a freedom from interference by funding agencies or commercial sponsors. The MWFF is offering a broad series of activities and entertainment at its various venues. I invite you to consult our web site regularly for details.

The supply of films shown in theatres has changed considerably in recent years. For a long time, even more than New York or Los Angeles, Montreal was the North American city where filmgoers would have the largest selection of films from around the world. These days, the commercial screens are dominated by Hollywood blockbusters. Without the Montreal World Film Festival and its 400 features, the Montreal cinematic landscape would be considerably narrowed.

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