June 8, 2026 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
During the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) invites audiences to the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre to experience CINÉJAZZ—a free program of cinema with music at its heart, from June 26 through July 4 at 3 p.m.
Located in the NFB’s Îlot Balmoral headquarters, just steps from Place des Festivals—the festival’s main outdoor site in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles—these screenings offer filmgoers an opportunity to explore the cultural forces behind jazz on screen and beyond, with a lineup of acclaimed music documentaries alongside a landmark of Quebec cinema.
The MJSTP Films/NFB co-produced short film Oscar, Marie-Josée Saint-Pierre’s touching portrait of Montreal jazz legend Oscar Peterson, will be presented before each feature.
For more information, visit the online CINÉJAZZ program.
Friday, June 26, 2026
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana (1 h 42 min)
RUMBLE tells the story of a profound, essential and, until now, missing chapter in the history of American music: the Indigenous influence. Featuring music icons like Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson and Randy Castillo, the film shows how these talented Native musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Maroon: On the Trail of Creoles in North America by André Gladu (1 h 25 min)
Louisiana’s Creole culture helped shape the New World and contributed to the emergence of jazz. But what remains of this unique, mixed-race society, with roots in France, Africa, the Caribbean, Spain and America? Maroon searches for the origins of this little-understood and endangered culture, in a vibrant travelogue that goes back into history to shed light on the present.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen by Donald Brittain and Don Owen (44 min)
This intimate 1965 portrait captures Leonard Cohen at the dawn of his career on a visit to his hometown of Montreal, where the poet, novelist and songwriter comes “to renew his neurotic affiliations.” This classic work of Direct Cinema moves seamlessly between public readings and private moments with family and friends—offering a rare glimpse into this iconic artist’s early creative life.
Friday, July 3, 2026
The Cat in the Bag by Gilles Groux (1 h 13 min)
A defining work of Quebec cinema by a legendary filmmaker, The Cat in the Bag follows a young couple grappling with identity, love and political awakening. Featuring music from John Coltrane’s Blue World, it resonates as both a personal story and a reflection of a society in transformation.
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Show Girls by Meilan Lam and Robert Paquin (52 min)
Show Girls celebrates Montreal’s swinging Black jazz scene from the 1920s to the 1960s, when the city was wide open. Three women who danced in the legendary Black clubs of the day—Rockhead’s Paradise, The Terminal and Café St. Michel—share their unforgettable memories of life at the centre of one of the world’s hottest jazz spots.
About the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest jazz festival on the planet, the Festival has been synonymous with musical passion and memorable moments for over 40 years. It’s where living legends rub shoulders with the finest up-and-coming artists, and jazz explodes at the crossroads of genres and influences. Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, closed to traffic and opened until midnight, the Festival site becomes the meeting place for jazz lovers worldwide for ten days. Together, they enjoy more than 350 concerts, two-thirds of which are free of charge open-air shows, presented on the Place des Festivals, which has been specially redesigned and set up for the event. With its larger-than-life communion, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal reflects Montreal’s nightlife through its movement, its intensity and, of course, its community.
About the NFB
Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 12 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.
– 30 –
Press release – PDF here.
Version française ici.