Calgary International Film Festival

The Calgary International Film Festival is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 short and feature length multi-genre films, from Canada and over 40 other countries.

To achieve our mission, we host participating filmmakers – both locally and from abroad – and connect them with the audience through interactive post-screening Q&A’s, networking events, and moderated panels and film talks that are attended by the general public.


Each year’s line-up is grouped into easily identifiable categories – Headliners, Canadian, New American, World Cinema, Documentaries, Music on Screen, Late Shows and Shorts. We present eight awards to outstanding films selected by our audience and esteemed jurors.

The recipient of the Calgary International Film Festival's Best of Shorts Award is eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film / Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards®.

SERIES:
We divide our program into different series, which is also useful. The series are:


Galas
 – Shining a light on marquee films, galas celebrate the year’s highest accomplishments with a screening and a party.


Headliners 
– The most anticipated, not-to-be-missed, most buzzed-about films of the festival circuit – from award winners and high-profile projects to celebrities and master directors.



Alberta Scene
 – A celebration of films created in our home province, from the highest mountain peaks to the endless prairie skies.



Canadian Cinema
 – From sea to sea – the series celebrates our country’s most inspiring, diverse and promising films.


New American Cinema
 – New and emerging voices from the United States vibrant, independent movement, with an emphasis on under-the-radar and cutting-edge style and story.

Youth Series (suitable to ages 14-18) NEW – A diverse range of genres and stories from around the world, with themes targeted to younger audiences and those looking for innovative, youthful, fun and at times challenging subject matter.

World Cinema
 – A spin of the globe: a captivating world of rich stories from beyond our borders. Note: All foreign language films are played with English subtitles.


Documentaries – 
An uncensored view of the real world: showcasing gripping, entertaining and enlightening stories from around the globe.



Music on Screen
 – From the grassroots of rock n’ roll to hip-hop and folk and everything in between: the best of movies where music plays the starring role.


Late Shows – Dark, twisted and daring late night selection of genre films, ranging from sci-fi to horror, thriller and fantasy films from around the world, with no shortage of high-intensity suspense, shock, gore and action.