Montreal – Free films, first-come, first-wowed! After the Holidays, continue your family get-togethers or round up some friends and come see recent gems from the NFB collection on the big screen in Montreal. Starting Thursday, January 9, we’re presenting five free public screenings at the NFB’s Alanis Obomsawin Theatre in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles. No reservations required, but seating is limited. See you there! For full details, visit events.nfb.ca/hello-film-free-screenings-at-the-nfb.
Quick Facts
All screenings begin at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). Each film will be shown in English and French, in their original version or with subtitles.
- To mark Data Privacy Week (January 23–28)
Thursday, January 23: Star Wars Kid: The Rise of the Digital Shadows by Mathieu Fournier (2022, 80 min)
In this documentary on the first viral phenomenon of the digital age, Ghyslain Raza (the “Star Wars Kid”) breaks his silence and reflects on his story for the first time. In doing so, he also explores our collective experience living in an online world in which we have to make peace with our digital shadows.
Preceded by the animated short Shop Class by Hart Snider (2018, 8 min)
- Thursday, January 30: The Rose Family by Félix Rose (2020, 127 min 58 s)
In October 1970, members of the Front de libération du Québec kidnapped minister Pierre Laporte, unleashing an unprecedented crisis in Quebec. Fifty years later, Félix Rose tries to understand what led his father and uncle to commit these acts.
Preceded by the short film Hommage à Michel Brault by Alexandre Chartrand (2014, 10 min)
- To mark Black History Month
Thursday, February 6: Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story by Michael Mabbott and Lucah Rosenberg-Lee (2024, 98 min 50 s)
A star is reborn. With an outsize stage presence that eclipsed R&B greats like Etta James and Little Richard, Black trans soul singer Jackie Shane was the real deal. After mysteriously vanishing from public view for almost 40 years, this little-known icon is given her ultimate due in this remarkable documentary portrait.
Preceded by the short film Oscar by Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre (2016, 12 min)
To get to the NFB’s Alanis Obomsawin Theatre
1500 Balmoral Street
Montreal
Place-des-Arts Metro
Accessible to persons with reduced mobility.