CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival showcases the best in non-fiction films, presented by the Calgary Underground Film Festival.

CUFF.Docs grew out of both a desire to bring more international documentaries to Calgary, and a necessity. We were seeing so many great documentary films submitted to our annual Calgary Underground Film Festival, and through attending film festivals worldwide, but we just couldn’t fit them all into one event. We saw the appetite for documentaries in this city was huge; we had people ask us repeatedly for more, or for a documentary festival – so we finally decided to go for it. Now we're officially a teenager!

At CUFF.Docs, the quality of the film is what matters most; we don't book films to make political statements or advocate for particular issues. Instead, we hope to present a range of films that both confirm and challenge beliefs, promoting a sense of wonder and a healthy skepticism, and above all, that continue to advance the medium of documentary filmmaking.

The Calgary Underground Film Festival loves supporting independent film, and with a great team and passionate supporters, we elevate Calgary's cultural landscape.

Awards & Prizes

Jury Award: Best Documentary Feature
Audience Awards: Best Documentary Feature & Best Documentary Short

Rules & Terms

CUFF.Docs is currently accepting submissions.|
Please note that for feature films, it must be a Calgary premiere.
For short films, Calgary premieres have priority, but it's not a deal breaker.

NOTE: If you already applied to CUFF's main festival this past April 2025, you do not need to re-apply to CUFF.Docs. We'll consider all submissions for both festivals. If you apply with a doc to CUFF.Docs 2025, we'll also consider it for next April 2026.

GUIDELINES:
1) Features films: must be a Calgary premiere, and not have screened in theatre, local festival or Canadian broadcast before our dates.
2) Short films: Priority is given to films which have not yet screened in Calgary.
3) We do not program films which were finished prior to last years festival.
4) Eligible films should have a festival release date ranging from late fall 2024 to current 2025.
5) Please contact if you have any questions: cuff@calgaryundergroundfilm.org
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Chad Blain

    For my first festival experience the bar has been set. CUFF.Docs was a great place to host the World Premiere of our film Liam & Friends! The festival organizers are very experienced, coordination with local media was a nice surprise and the industry nights were a great way to connect the filmmakers. As a viewer they screened a wide range of eclectic doc films, and each one that I saw was memorable in its own right. I would highly recommend!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • Kimberly Gray

    CUFF is the greatest! It was a dream come true to be included in such a wonderful festival in our home town. Thank you for having us!! You treat all filmmakers like rock stars. We appreciate you!

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Catie Skipp

    CUFF.Docs was a great experience! Such a passionate, kind, organized, and communicative staff made the experience a delight. They had a strong local following and great turnout for the screening. Absolutely recommend!

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • VICTORIA MCFADYEN

    I would like to congratulate the team at CUFF for doing such a great job.

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Max Hey

    Awesome people all around. end

    November 2025
    Helpful