Over the last 26 years, Fairy Tales Queer Art Film Festival has grown from a fledgling, volunteer-run off-shoot of The Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, to become one of Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ film festivals. As of 2024, the festival was expanded to include other art forms

Programmer's Choice Award: Short
Programmer's Choice Award: Feature
People’s Choice Award: Canadian Short
People’s Choice Award: Canadian Feature
People’s Choice Award: International Short
People’s Choice Award: International Feature

*** Screening fees paid to all 2025 selected films. ***

1) The film must represent the work of at least one self-identified Queer filmmaker, or have a predominantly Queer cast or crew, representing Queer lived experience.

2) Films must be less than 2 years from original release date.

3) FEATURE FILMS MUST NOT be or have been available online in any form within Canada.

4) SHORT FILMS - Priority is given to films that have not yet screened in Calgary and are not yet available online. We do accept competition-based created shorts, where screening online is part of the process (e.g. Telus STORYHIVE).

5) All applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks, and other such intellectual property rights have been secured by the filmmaker(s).

6) As an accessible film festival, all films must be submitted with subtitles or closed captioning in English.

7) Submission fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

8) Films only need to be submitted in one category. All films submitted will be considered for the category they are best suited by the programming team.

9) Only entries made via FilmFreeway will be considered.

10) Submission deadlines are at 11:59 PM MST of the posted date.

DEADLINE | February 28, 2025
- Canadian Short
- Canadian Feature
- International Short
- International Feature

Waivers:

We provide fee waiver codes for Alberta filmmakers, underrepresented filmmakers and student film makers. Filmmakers can contact the programming department to request a waiver PRIOR to submitting their film at operations@calgaryqueerartssociety.com.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Great festival! Everyone was super nice and helpful, we were so happy to be part of it!

    July 2024
  • NOFAC3 PRODUCTIONS

    For filmmakers that are part of the LGBTQIA community, it’s such a good opportunity to showcase their film, art and meet other filmmakers in the industry.
    Amazing festival to be part in!
    Highly recommend it!

    July 2024
  • Hadi Moussally

    Great festival with a great selection! thank you!

    June 2023
  • Was amazing to be part of the festival this year!
    I really hope to be part again!
    Nice comunication, great festival!
    Thanks

    June 2023
  • It is an honor to be part of this festival, beautiful and necessary. It has been a very pleasant experience sharing my work.

    June 2023