Press Releases

Mis en ligne 25-08-19

A successful year for the 35th International First Peoples Festival.

Montreal, August 19^th, 2025. The eclectic and multidisciplinary international program of the 2025 International First Peoples Festival was a resounding success. Concerts, films, and exhibitions all drew large crowds under sunny skies, as the festival shone with the brilliance of the new works unveiled to an enthusiastic audience.

In its world premiere on the Québecor stage, the show Song to the Whales embarked on a North American tour that will take it to New York’s Lincoln Center, following its triumphant presentation at Place des Festivals. The packed Théâtre Outremont resounded with applause for another world premiere, Florent Vollant, Innu, a cinematic tribute to a giant of Indigenous song.

The powerful show by metal band 1876 and the screening of the film Free Leonard Peltier echoed a resolutely anti-Maga poster that caused a sensation.

The growing enthusiasm for Indigenous cinema, which dares to venture off the beaten track, was evident throughout this 35^th edition; the quality of the works rewarded the spirit of discovery of a connoisseur audience.  Ka Whawhai Tonu (Aotearoa/New Zealand, 2024), Me Moría – Li Cham (Mexico, 2024), Las Almas (Argentina, 2023) and Inkwo for When the Starving Return (Canada, 2024) were the big winners in a list that was the result of long and difficult deliberations: thank you to the jury !

Exhibitions at La Guilde, the Maison du développement durable, and the Grande Bibliothèque, as well as midday concerts (by Willow and Malorie Yawenda Picard), extend the celebration of First Nations arts and cultures beyond the ten intense days during which Montreal briefly became the capital of the world’s Indigenous nations.

The festival would like to thank its partners, sponsors, and donors, whose indispensable support enables this unique event promoting Indigenous cultures to fulfill its mission year after year, despite a budget that is certainly not commensurate with its relevance and influence.

FIPA would like to extend special thanks to Quebecor, the official presenter, the governments of Canada and Quebec, the City of Montreal, the Arts Councils (of Canada, Montreal, and CALQ), Tourisme Montreal, Indigenous Tourism Quebec, SODEC, and APTN.

Information: IXION Communications, henry.welsh@ixioncommunications.com

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