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Pride vs. Prejudice

Pride vs. Prejudice delves into the riveting narrative of the Vriend v. Alberta case, where Delwin Vriend, an unlikely hero, courageously battles against discrimination from a government determined to deny his human rights . Uncover the twists and turns that unfold as Vriend's pursuit of justice challenges societal biases, culminating in a ground-breaking Canadian Supreme Court ruling in 1998 that confronts prejudice and sets a transformative precedent for LGBTQ+ rights that is cited around the world.

  • Darrin Hagen
    Director
  • Darrin Hagen
    Writer
  • Edmonton Community Foundation
    Producer
  • Edmonton Queer History Project
    Producer
  • Doug Stollery
    Executive Producer
  • Andrew Paul
    Associate Producer
  • Kristopher Wells
    Impact Producer
  • Tamarra Lessard
    Director of Photography
  • Anna Kuelken
    Director of Photography
  • Sheena Rossiter
    Editor
  • Sandro Silva
    Editor
  • Ariana Brophy
    Sound Operators
  • David Gallinger
    Sound Operators
  • Chris Hummel
    Sound Operators
  • Sam Reid
    Camera Operators
  • Sheena Rossiter
    Camera Operators
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    LGBTQ+, Human Rights, Social Justice
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes 15 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 30, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    71,350 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Rainbow Visions Film Festival
    Edmonton
    Canada
    May 19, 2024
    World Premiere
    Audience Award - Best Documentary
  • Queer North Film Festival
    Sudbury
    Canada
    June 13, 2024
    Ontario Premiere
    Audience Choice Award - Best of Show
  • Calgary International Film Festival
    Calgary
    Canada
    September 21, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Vancouver Queer Film Festival
    Vancouver
    Canada
    September 15, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival
    Palm Springs
    United States
    September 21, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Outshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival
    Miami
    United States
    October 26, 2024
    Festival Favorite
  • Calgary Justice Film Festival
    Calgary
    Canada
    November 21, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Queergestreift Festival
    Konstanz
    Germany
    April 5, 2025
    Germany Premier
    Official Selection
  • LGBT+ Film Festival
    Warsaw
    Poland
    April 4, 2025
    European Premier
    Official Selection
  • 2025 Edmonton Film Prize
    Edmonton
    Canada
    May 12, 2025
    2025 Edmonton Arts Prizes - Best Film
Director Biography - Darrin Hagen

DARRIN HAGEN is an award-winning playwright, author, composer, performer, and Queer historian, and is also the artistic director of Guys In Disguise. He has created over 40 plays, and dozens of published essays and articles, many dealing with the history of sexual minorities in Alberta.

In addition to the full-length documentary Pride vs. Prejudice: The Delwin Friend Story, he has created and directed the award-nominated music video for Only Here on Loan by King of Foxes, the dance film Shadow of a Doubt with Gerry Morita, the silent experimental short Presence in the Third Space, and the comedy short The Foxy Lady Disco Dancing Lounge Rhinestone Turkey Baster Relay Marathon. He also hosted the web series Queer Places, produced by TelusOptik.

Plays by Darrin include his award-winning 1996 debut, The Edmonton Queen (published by Brindle & Glass Publishing, now in its fourth printing). Other published work includes Tornado Magnet: A Salute to Trailer Court Women. More plays include the Sterling-nominated Buddy, Witch Hunt at the Strand, The Empress & The Prime Minister, Metronome, 10 Funerals. as well as the international hit BitchSlap!, and With Bells On which was adapted into a musical by New York City’s Live & In Color.

He has received 7 Sterling awards for his work in Edmonton theatre, and the AMPIA for Best Male Host for the series Who’s On Top? In 2005 he was named one of 100 Edmontonians of the Century. In 2013 he was inducted into the Q Hall of Fame Canada for his contribution to Queer Canadian culture, and was named by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts as one of the 25 Most Influential Alberta artists in the last 25 years.

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Director Statement

Like all Queer Canadians, I have personally benefited from the human rights protections that were achieved over a quarter-century ago when Delwin Vriend stood up to the power of a government and demanded justice. Like all Queer Canadians, I now watch with concern as dark forces gather in an attempt to challenge those hard-won rights.

Pride Vs. Prejudice explores the story of one human challenging a determined and hostile government — and winning.

Featuring compelling first-hand accounts from the people who steered this complex and crucial case to the Supreme Court of Canada, this film showcases the passion, dedication, and sacrifices necessary to change the world for the better.

When we first set out to tell the story of Delwin Vriend’s legal battle with the government of Alberta, we thought we were simply revisiting a pivotal milestone in the slow progress towards equality.

We didn’t realize that we were making a documentary that would act as a portent for generations to come.

This is the documentary I need to see right now - to give me hope, and to remind me of how far we have come.