Calgary International Film Festival is back with collection of global, local films

The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is back with over 200 films to deliver to movie-goers this September.

From Sept. 22 to Oct. 2, CIFF will have numerous movie to put on display, with 33 features premiering in the city.

Now that movie-goers have more flexibility with going into theatres in-person, CIFF is back to more of what they’re used to, says Brenda Lieberman, lead programmer for the festival.

She adds there is plenty to do this year, with Q&A panels, and an interactive hub with video games and VR.

“The festival is an incredible way to discover these films, these filmmakers, and the talent,” Lieberman said.

“It’s a lot of fun for us to program these pieces of work, showcase artists’ creations, and then hope that these audiences are there to experience it, engage with it, and then hopefully love it.”

Lieberman says the festival is a great way to help artists put their name and work out there.

“It all helps to build filmmakers careers, especially [with] getting increased funding for future projects,” Lieberman said.

“This is really what helps us build our festival up and get the films we want. And then it helps to build the filmmakers and their careers, and the distributors. It all works really nicely together.”

The films will be shown at the Eau Claire Cineplex Odeon, Globe Cinema, the Bell National Music Centre, and Contemporary Calgary.

Alberta filmmakers premiere films in Calgary

People sit to watch a film at the Calgary Film Festival inside Globe Cinema in Calgary on Sept. 26, 2021. (Courtesy of the Calgary International Film Festival)

The National Film Board of Canada has five world premieres at CIFF this year, with three from Alberta. Heartbeat of a Nation by Chipewyan Prairie First Nation director Eric Janvier, A Motorcycle Saved My Life by Lori Lozinski, and a film from Calgary-based, Oscar-nominated animators Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis.

Their short film, The Flying Sailor, is about a man that was blown away by the 1917 Halifax Explosion. The event was when two ships, one of which was loaded with explosives, collided in the strait connecting the upper Halifax Harbour to Bedford Basin.

The Calgary duo’s film Wild Life, released in 2011, was nominated as Best Animated Short Film at the 84th Academy Awards. They also received an Oscar nod in 1999 for When the Day Breaks, which the International Animated Film Association lists as one of the top 50 greatest short films of all time.

Of the five premieres, one is a documentary about the decade-long relationship between Canadian journalist Michelle Shephard and Ismael Abdulle, a young Somali refugee who had his hand and foot cut off by the terrorist group al-Shabaab.

Even with acclaimed artists like Tilby and Forbis, Lieberman says even casual movie-goers can enjoy themselves.

“You don’t have to be in the know,” Lieberman said. “Having an opportunity to come and pick something up at the festival and just take a chance.”

“There is everything from big name directors and actors, to people’s fifth, sixth, seventh film, all the way to people’s very first film.”

There are three ticket bundles that people can choose from, which Lieberman also recommends for newcomers to the festival. Single ticket sales begin on Sept. 8.

People can learn more by heading to the CIFF website.

–With files from Lisa Grant