On Ayiti

On Ayiti

With Elisee Junior St. Preux, Michèle Stephenson, Miryam Charles and Pierre Michel Jean; moderated by Cybille St.Aude-Tate.

In 2026, we celebrate 222 years since the Haitian Revolution and the establishment of Haiti as the first permanent sovereign Black country. Yet, within a global hegemony of imperialism and capitalism, Haiti faces cruel, centuries-old punishment from powerful state actors, including the United States. Haiti has been forced into unimaginable debt, various occupations, climate disasters and consequently repeated political turmoil. Even as the famous Haitian saying dèyè mòn gen mòn establishes that beyond every challenge is another challenge, the country and its people persist. In this panel, we lift up the Haitian filmmakers in the 2026 BlackStar program and put the spotlight on mediamaking and visual storytelling in and about Haiti, as well as its challenges, sensitivities and ultimate triumphs.