MONTREAL. February 2, 2026 — This Wednesday, the 15th edition of Festival Fondu au Noir / Fade to Black Festival will officially kick off under the honorary presidency of Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor General of Canada and an iconic leader in the visibility and advancement of Black communities. Presented by TD Bank Group, this flagship event of the Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) will take place both in person and online from February 4 to 8, 2026, as part of the highly symbolic 30th anniversary of Black History Month.
To mark this milestone edition, Fondu au Noir is introducing a brand-new flagship initiative: Expo AfroArts, a bold and innovative program spotlighting Afro-Quebec and Afro-Canadian artisans. Presented over three days at Théâtre Colas, Expo AfroArts offers an immersive experience of creations, encounters, and discoveries, transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of dialogue, creativity, and celebration in the heart of Montreal’s Saint-Henri neighbourhood.
In recognition of the 30th anniversary of Black History Month, this 15th edition highlights prominent figures with distinguished careers across Quebec and Canada’s political, cultural, and economic landscapes, including Honorary President Michaëlle Jean; The Honourable Senator Amina Gerba; Olympic champion, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Bruny Surin; Patrice Bernier, a leading figure in Quebec and Canadian soccer; former professional football player Ali Gerba; Kerlande Mibel, Founder and President and CEO of the International Black Economic Forum; and Fabienne Colas, entrepreneur, actress, director, and producer. Through a rich and multidisciplinary program – film screenings (in person and online), panels and debates, in-depth conversations, live music performances, dance, literature, artisan exhibitions, a pop-up market, and more—Fondu au Noir promises a landmark edition designed to inspire, move, and bring people together.
“Fondu au Noir is celebrating 15 years this year, and doing so as part of the 30th anniversary of Black History Month is deeply meaningful and symbolic. We wanted an edition that is bold, vibrant, and inclusive – one that reflects who we are today. Welcoming the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean as Honorary President of this anniversary edition – 20 years after her appointment as Canada’s 27th Governor General – is an immense privilege. I am also thrilled about the launch of Expo AfroArts, which will energize Saint-Henri and all of Montreal for three days at Théâtre Colas. We are creating a vibrant space where Afro-descendant artisans can fully take their place – a timely, inspiring, and much-needed showcase that allows artisans to engage with the public in new ways and encourages dialogue across creative practices,” said Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Fondu au Noir Festival.
Now firmly established as a major cultural event in Quebec, the Fondu au Noir Festival continues to serve as an artistic and social meeting point, building bridges between communities, amplifying essential narratives, and showcasing the richness of Black talent from here and abroad—with Expo AfroArts serving in 2026 as a new platform of excellence and creativity for local artisans.
For this special edition, the Festival invites audiences to experience five days of artistic encounters celebrating the richness of Black cultures and their contributions to Quebec and Canadian society. Events will take place across several iconic Montreal venues, including Cinéma du Musée, Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, and Théâtre.
2026 PROGRAM OVERVIEW
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – OPENING NIGHT
7 p.m. | Cinéma du Musée | 1379-A Sherbrooke Street West | $15.75
Presented in partnership with the Network for Peace and Social Harmony, the Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), Cinéma du Musée, and the Black History Month Round Table.The Fondu au Noir Festival will officially launch its 15th edition with an evening rooted in memory, reflection, and engagement. The powerful film FRANTZ FANON opens this anniversary edition with depth and relevance. Following the screening, a roundtable discussion moderated by Diane Gistal, independent contemporary art curator, will feature Thibault Tranchant, PhD in Philosophy and professor at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, and Ernest-Marie Mbonda, professor of philosophy and specialist of Frantz Fanon’s work.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026 — FILM NIGHT7:00 p.m. | Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce – Pavillon Botrel | 3755 Botrel Street | FREE
The Festival continues with a free film night dedicated to BEING BLACK IN MONTREAL & BEING BLACK IN CANADA (2024 Francophone and Anglophone Cohorts). This screening will showcase five documentary short films produced in Montreal, Halifax, and Vancouver as part of an initiative by the Fabienne Colas Foundation. The program is presented by Netflix, in collaboration with the National Bank of Canada, and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, and the Canada Council for the Arts. Subtitled in English and French, the screening will feature:Battre le fer by Bruno Dramatik (Montreal);Double combat by Jonathan St-Armand (Montreal);Mikelande: Exile, Memory and the Griot by Ronaldo Myrthil (Montreal);What We Talk About When We Talk About Blackness by Mickey Semera (Vancouver);Black in School by Habiba Diallo (Halifax).The screening will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers, moderated by Sabine Daniel, award-winning television host and producer.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026 — BEING BLACK IN CANADA (ONLINE) 7:00 p.m. | Online | $15 | FonduAuNoir.caThe Fondu au Noir Festival will present the Being Black in Canada program by the Fabienne Colas Foundation – 2024 edition, bringing together 16 films from the Francophone and Anglophone cohorts of Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver. This special online screening offers nationwide access to works from across the program’s pan-Canadian initiative. Presented by Netflix, in collaboration with the National Bank of Canada, and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Media Fund, and the Canada Council for the Arts, Being Black in Canada amplifies essential voices and promotes more equitable representation of Black communities on screen, both in front of and behind the camera.
EXPO AFROARTS — FEBRUARY 6 TO 8, 2026Théâtre Colas | 3990 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal
Expo AfroArts access: $15 per day | $40 for 3 days
From February 6 to 8, Théâtre Colas will host a three-day celebration bringing together Afro-descendant local artisans as part of the 15th anniversary of the Fondu au Noir Festival. Audiences are invited to explore a vibrant world of colours, flavours, and unique creations, lovingly crafted and inspired by Africa and the Caribbean. This immersive experience offers a welcoming and inclusive space to celebrate Afro-descendant cultures, encourage exchange, and spotlight local talent.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 — KICK-OFF EVENING
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Théâtre Colas | 3990 Notre-Dame Street West
Expo AfroArts access: $15 per day | $40 for 3 daysTo mark the opening of Expo AfroArts, Michaëlle Jean will take part at 7:00 p.m. in an open and heartfelt conversation with Fabienne Colas, MBA, President and Founder of the Fondu au Noir Festival, actress, director, producer, and entrepreneur, highlighting this anniversary year and the essential role of culture as a space for memory, dialogue, and visibility.
At 8:30 p.m., a jazz performance by Taurey Butler, an exceptional pianist of international stature, will follow. He will be joined by bassist Fraser Hollins, one of Canada’s leading jazz bassists. This performance will pay tribute to Saint-Henri and Little Burgundy, legendary neighbourhoods at the height of Montreal’s jazz scene in the 1940s, and will officially launch three days of AfroArts celebrations. The evening will be festive, with DJ music, bar service, and catering available throughout the three days (additional fees apply).Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. | Théâtre Colas | 3990 Notre-Dame Street West
Expo AfroArts access: $15 per day | $40 for 3 daysExpo AfroArts opens at 11:00 a.m., inviting the public to meet the artisans on site and discover their creations.
Starting at 1:00 p.m., conferences, discussions, and in-depth conversations will give voice to Black leaders and exceptional allies, addressing key social, cultural, and economic issues. Between panels, audiences are invited to pause and recharge during RESET with Rupali, a series of short, accessible wellness breaks combining somatic breathing, gentle movement, and grounding techniques. These moments are guided by Rupali Roy-Bhowmick, cultural and spiritual director, founder of Bollywood Blast Co, and creator of Rupasutra – Cultural and Spiritual Services.
At 1:00 p.m., the English-language panel Citizen Voice: Black Memory and Heritage in the Saint-Henri and La Petite-Bourgogne Neighbourhoods, moderated by Rito Joseph, speaker, cultural entrepreneur, independent researcher, and founder of Black Montreal Experiences, will highlight the often-overlooked history of these foundational Black communities. Panelists include Michael Farkas, President of Black History Month; Andrew Jackson, photographer; and Josa Maule, casting director, acting coach, director, screenwriter, producer, and founder of the Montreal School of Performing Arts.
At 3:00 p.m., the Festival presents the In-Depth Conversation: Politics — Dialogue: A Disruptive Women’s Leadership with The Honourable Amina Gerba. Moderated by Kerlande Mibel, Founder and President & CEO of the International Black Economic Forum, the discussion will highlight Senator Gerba’s inspiring journey, her leadership, and her commitment to strengthening ties between Canada and Africa.
At 5:00 p.m., a second In-Depth Conversation focuses on sport: Soccer — Haiti at the 2026 World Cup: A Conversation with Patrice Bernier on a Historic Qualification. Moderated by Alexandre Kénol, entrepreneur, host, speaker, founder of GEAK, and Executive Director of the Tiers-Lieu coopératif, the discussion with Patrice Bernier, RDS soccer analyst and iconic figure in Canadian soccer, will celebrate the pride of the Haitian diaspora and explore the future of Haitian soccer.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 — CLOSING DAY
11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Théâtre Colas | 3990 Notre-Dame Street West
Expo AfroArts access: $15 per day | $40 for 3 days
Expo AfroArts opens at 11:00 a.m. for a closing day focused on balance, health, well-being, resilience, and performance, featuring two bilingual events. Between activities, audiences can enjoy short grounding moments during RESET with Rupali, guided by Rupali Roy-Bhowmick.
The headline event at 5:00 p.m. is the In-Depth Conversation with Bruny Surin, Olympic champion, entrepreneur, and philanthropist: How to Build a Champion’s Mindset?, moderated by Ali Gerba, former Canadian professional soccer player. In this intimate exchange, Bruny Surin will reflect on the psychological keys that shaped his career—resilience, focus, confidence, and stress management—and share concrete tools to build mental strength and overcome challenges. This event is presented in partnership with the Bruny Surin Foundation.
Earlier at 1:00 p.m., the bilingual panel Entrepreneurship: Taking Care of Yourself While Growing a Business will address the realities faced by Black entrepreneurs in expansion—stress, mental load, performance pressure, and strategies to maintain balance. The discussion is moderated by Nolie Imprevert, Executive Director of Rendez-vous de la Diversité and HR strategist, and features Jaël Élysée, Executive Director of Fond-Afro Entrepreneurs; Miro Laflaga, co-founder of Six-cinquième; and Jean-Philippe Vézina, leadership and Afrocentric storytelling coach.
At 3:00 p.m., the bilingual talk Cultivating Mental, Physical, and Spiritual Well-Being will offer a safe and inspiring space for dialogue on holistic wellness within Black communities. Moderated by Marina Mathieu, multidisciplinary cultural worker, the discussion brings together Kathleen Charles, certified mental health counsellor (MA, CCC) and creative somatic therapy practitioner; Samanta Nyinawumuntu, Founder and Executive Director of the Black Healing Center; and Diane Gistal, co-founder of Black Joy MTL.
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