Our Stories, Our Stage: Massimadi Closing Night

As part of the Africa Fashion exhibition, the McCord Stewart Museum will host the closing night of the 17^th annual Massimadi Festival. The event will feature two screenings: Shade in the Sunshine State and Q5: The Quintessentials.

Since its founding, Massimadi has showcased films and documentaries on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) themes, highlighting Afro LGBTQ+ communities. The festival celebrates their contributions to Black cultures while standing against homophobia and transphobia.

On the program

Shade in the Sunshine State

By Olivia Bendis, Julio Rocha, Ben Nakhuda, United States, 2024 – 14 minutes
Original English version

A glimpse into how Miami’s LGBTQ+ ballroom community uses performance as a form of political activism in a state currently passing laws aimed at restricting queer and trans rights.

Q5: The Quintessentials

By Sarada Sarita, United States, 2024 – 72 minutes
Original English version
This film is presented for educational purposes.

Q5 is inspired by the energy, feeling and expressiveness of Waacking; also known as Whacking or Punking. A dance form that emerged in the 1970s as an expression of oppression in the Latin and African-American LGBTQI+ underground clubs of Los Angeles. Through the sounds and movement language of Waacking, the 5 performers in the film dive into the 5th dimension. They explore different colours, portals, perspectives and worlds within worlds. All in search of the essence: The Quintessentials!

About Massimadi

Massimadi is a platform dedicated to showcasing local talent and amplifying Afro LGBTQ+ culture through film and artistic presentations. The festival is also a space for cultural exchange, featuring panels and talks with artists and activists from Black communities.

Information

• Free activity in English, presented on Wednesday, October  29, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m.
  Space limited, no reservation
• Duration : 86 minutes
• Location: J. Armand Bombardier Theatre at the Museum