Concordians in the spotlight at the 44th Festival International du Film sur l’Art
Concordians are popping up all over this year’s Festival International du Film sur l’Art (FIFA), with nine films by students and alumni featured across multiple programs. Several on-campus events and screenings are also to set to take place at Concordia’s J.W. McConnell and Henry F. Hall Buildings.
The festival, which features more than 150 short-form and experimental films, runs from March 12 to 22 in theatres and March 20 to 29 online. Fifty-two countries are represented, including 60 Canadian films and 23 international competition entries.
More than 40 films will be screened for the first time.
“Having our students and alumni featured in multiple programs at FIFA, as well as contributing behind the scenes in key festival roles, demonstrates the strength and diversity of Concordia’s cinematic talent,” says Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. “These screenings also bring experimental and short-form cinema to audiences locally and internationally, and reflect the university’s commitment to fostering innovative filmmakers and connecting them to the broader industry.”
From left to right: Concordians Badewa Ajibade, eunice bélidor and Vladimir Chindea are all involved with FIFA.
Programming led by Concordians
Several Concordia faculty and alumni are also part of the FIFA team. Scholar-in-residence and Art Volt mentor eunice bélidor was recently appointed programmer and curator of the “Avant-Garde” program. Vladimir Chindea, MFA 26 (Cinematic Arts), serves as FIFA Connexions coordinator, supporting arts and cultural professionals. He is also the Emergence cohort manager, providing mentorship and resources for up-and-coming artists and managers.
Badewa Ajibade, MFA 24 (Film Production) and PhD student in the Individualized program, began working at FIFA as an intern in 2023. Today, he is a Connexions coordinator and member of the pre-selection committee.
Philippe U. del Drago, executive and artistic director of FIFA, says the perspectives of Concordia faculty and alumni have helped broaden the festival’s approach to contemporary art cinema.
“FIFA 44 carries a renewed sense of momentum — a fresh current moving through the festival. With eunice bélidor at the helm of Avant-garde, La Nuit du Court celebrating the finest international art shorts, and a growing presence of Concordia voices across our team and programming, this edition reflects a vibrant dialogue between the university and the festival — one grounded in discovery, experimentation, and artistic risk.”
Concordia filmmakers featured at FIFA:
Avant-Garde | PHARE
- Stéphanie Creaghan, BFA 13 — Balustrade (2022)
- Po B. K. Lomami, GrDip 22, MFA 25 — Nothing 03 (Sænd) (2025)
- Tracy Valcárcel, BFA 12; Michaela Gerussi, BFA 14; and Erin Hill, BFA 14 — Yield (2025)
Avant-Garde | INFRA STRUCTURE
- Hazel Meyer, BFA 02 — Husbandry (2024, co-directed with Cait McKinney)
Avant-Garde | CONDITIONS DE RÉALITÉ
- Francisco González-Rosas, MFA 19 — Identity Templates for a Disordered Body (2022)
- Stéphanie Creaghan, BFA 13 — L’archéologie de l’oubli (2025)
Nuit du Court
- Ophelia Spinosa, BFA 20 — Yves et ses bonsaïs (2025)
- Derek Branscombe, BFA 14 — Les mêmes yeux que toi (2025)
- Daniela Paglione, BA 25 — Ligne de fond (2024)
Concordia-hosted festival events:
- “Avant-Garde” | PHARE, CONDITIONS DE REALITE, INFRA STRUCTURE | March 14 and 15, McConnell (LB) Building
- Amour et Chaos, Rebonds | March 14, McConnell (LB) Building
- Song of the Hands | March 15, Hall Building
- T’es où Philippe Katherine ? and “Nuit du Court” | March 21, Hall Building
- Wind’s Heritage, The Theft | March 22, McConnell (LB) Building
- Becoming Air, Wider Than the Sky | March 22, McConnell (LB) Building
Discounted pass available for youth
Screenings will take place in Montreal and Quebec City, with online access until March 29. The films will also be available year-round on the ARTS.FILM platform. A special $30 festival pass is available for audience members aged 30 and under, providing access to all in-person screenings.
FIFA 44 includes films by artists such as Philippe Katerine, Gustavo Dudamel, Amadou et Mariam and Ai Wei Wei. Institutions such as the TATE Modern and National Gallery Singapore are also featured.
The festival opens with the world premiere of André-Line Beauparlant’s Mon amour : c’est pour le restant de mes jours at the Monument National in Montreal on March 12.
For the full list of Concordia films and festival programming, visit the FIFA website.
Find out more about the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema.
