Nadia Louis-Desmarchais / Cinema + Writing / Montreal
In partnership with Black Wealth Media

Nadia Louis-Desmarchais is a young afro feminist director who aspires to give a voice to those we too often refuse to hear. Moving from documentary to fiction, she directed ‘’Rated X’’, a short documentary who won the Grand Jury prize at the Vox Feminae Film Festival and showcased in multiples festivals such as Regard, RVQC, Filministes as well as ‘’Tell me all about my body’’ and ‘’Urban’’. Her first fiction short film “Troubled Water” showcased at the FNC Film Festival, and VGIK International Student Film Festival. Nadia won the prize for ‘’Best Hope Documentary Director ‘’ from the René Malo Chair in Cinema UQAM and the National Film Board of Canada for her upcoming short film ‘’I can dream’. She is currently writing her first mid-length documentary “Black and White”, which is supported in development by SODEC as well as developing her first fiction webserie ‘’The Meteorites’’ with TOU.TV. Putting forward a unique and deep sensitivity in her artistic approach, Nadia is eager to dive into the professional sphere to write and carry out intimate scenarios which, according to her, give the cinema its universal power. Photo: Ismael Ouattara.

Malcom Odd / Multidisciplinary / Tio’tia:ke
In partnership with Black Wealth Media

Malcom is a transdisciplinary artist who completed his bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a specialization in visual arts at the Université de Sherbrooke. He is currently a poet, filmmaker and painter based in Tio’tia:ke (Montreal). His first project resulted in a documentary entitled Portraits: un regard (2017), highlighting the journeys of four people with disabilities. In 2020, he co-founded, with his brother, INZU, an independent production company. He wrote and directed a first short film entitled En ta paume (2021), selected among others at Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma, Halifax Independent Film Festival, Cinefest de Lisbonne, Baltimore Black International Films. In 2021, he worked on the casting of Chien Blanc (2022) by Anaïs Barbeau Lavalette, directed Afro-Canada (2022) by Henri Pardo and is assistant producer of the anthology series Festivale in pre-development with Crave. He is currently producing two independent short films, a cultural magazine and is the lead writer of Busboy, a series in development. Photo: Olivier Sanche.

Victoria Côté Peleja / Contemporary dance + Hip-hop / Quebec
In partnership with La Rotonde

Currently based in Quebec City, Victoria is a contemporary and hip-hop dancer. She devotes her personal practice to movement research, improvisation and the constant practice of hip-hop foundations. Music, fashion and the environment in which she finds herself are sources of inspiration for her movement. Her mesmerizing presence and fluid movement set her apart in her performances. Her international training and work experience has led her to work for Emmanuelle LePhan in the new creation Miroir Boudoir, Harold Rhéaume, Karine Ledoyen, Flip Fabrique, Narcisse and many others. Photo: Marie Damien.