Loft among panelists for inaugural festival

The first edition of the Montreal Street Photography Festival (MSPF) is set to celebrate the artform in a city where it is heavily practiced, but not necessarily heavily showcased, according to the festival’s founder.

“MSPF was created to give street photography the visibility and respect it deserves within the contemporary art landscape,” said founder Rania Foudail. “It’s about carving out a space for the genre - not only in galleries, but in the public eye - where it can be appreciated not just as documentation, but as artistic expression and collective memory.”

Part of the festival’s activities from September 5-7 will be a panel on the last day of the festival entitled “Photography Now: Ethics, Culture, and Influence,” moderated by Foudail and including Kahnawa’kehró:non Martin Akwiranoron Loft.

“I was honoured to be invited to join a panel discussion on photography and its role in shaping the visual history and culture of Tiohtià:ke,” said Loft.

According to the MSPF’s website, the panel will be a discussion on the value of photography itself in modern art, both as an artform and as a tool of societal change, as well as the ethical implications and cultural significance of street photography today.

“The panel encourages photographers and audiences alike to consider how street photography can be done thoughtfully and respectfully, while still maintaining its raw honesty,” said Foudail.

She said his inclusion on the panel was a “deliberate and meaningful decision.”

“As a member of the Mohawk community and an artist whose work addresses themes of identity, history, and resistance, his voice is vital. As an African Indigenous person myself, I strongly believe in the importance of giving space to underrepresented voices in the arts - not just symbolically, but structurally,” said Foudail.

“This is not a one-off gesture; it’s a value we intend to uphold in every edition of MSPF. We want to ensure the festival reflects the richness and complexity of the communities it engages with, and Martin embodies that beautifully.”

For Loft, Indigenous representation in these kinds of events is vitally important.

“For too long, we have been erased from the collective memory of its residents and the broader creative community. Fortunately, this is changing and evolving with many arts institutions and artist organizations making the effort to affect this change. I see it as an opportunity to reclaim that space, both visually and culturally,” he said.

“It’s very gratifying to be invited to take part and to lend an Indigenous voice to this outstanding cultural event.”

Also on the panel will be Éloi production company founder Éloi Beauchamp, co-founders and curators of the Parallele Contemporary art fair Nick Bodoin and Sophie Poirier, and  Zoë Tousignant, curator of the Pounding the Pavement exhibition at the McCord Stewart Museum - which Loft is a part of.

Other events during the weekend will include talks from international artists, showcases of rare cameras and the pictures taken with them, and a photo walk - quite literally, a guided walk to good photography opportunities - in the streets of Tiohtià:ke.

“Through exhibitions, conversations, and community engagement, we hope MSPF becomes a catalyst for dialogue, cultural exchange, and visual reflection,” said Foudail.

[email protected]