First Event News for Calgary Film Festival Sept. 18-29, 2019
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant filmed partially in Alberta is a part of the Retrospective series this year.
2015). Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. USA. 156 minutes. 14A.
In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption.
Made in Alberta:
Five of the most coveted films made in Alberta from the past 20 years will all make a triumphant return to the big screen as they play at the Central Library for free. LEARN MORE
Steve Schroeder
On Wednesday we kicked off the first of our #CIFF20 announcements, throwing it back to our first festival with a special screening of WAYDOWNTOWN (2000) and shining a spotlight on future Alberta filmmaking with Alberta-Made Shorts, plus the return of the much-loved FREE Trailer Party! We also introduced two new Retrospective Series and shared this year's Generation Next films, handpicked by Calgary's youth.
Tickets for WAYDOWNTOWN and Alberta-Made Shorts are on sale now - tickets only $15!
And don't forget, for a limited time you can still buy our Early Bird Ticket Bundles and Passes!
WAYDOWNTOWN (2000)
Thursday, Sept 19 at 7:00PM | Globe Cinema
Throwback to CIFF's 2000 Opening Gala, a group of young employees bet a month's salary, winner takes all, on who can last the longest without going outside. The film will be shown in 35 mm - how it was originally intended to be enjoyed! In attendance at the special event will be the films Director and local Calgarian Gary Burns, Producer George Baptist, the films Production Designer and Actor Donna Brunsdale and Cinematographer Patrick McLaughlin.
4th Annual FREE Trailer Party
Thursday, September 5 at 6:30PM | Globe Cinema
Join over 750 Calgarians and sit back, relax, and watch all the available trailers for the 20th anniversary festival on the big screen. This is the best chance for fans to get a taste of our lineup and mark the ones they want to see on their official CIFF checklist!
This month, the highest individual donation to our 20/20 Fundraising Campaign will receive two tickets to the Opening Gala on September 18, 2019 at the Calgary International Film Festival’s 20th Anniversary! Support CIFF and get some sweet perks. DONATE NOW and get 24-hour early access to film tickets.
SIT BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY BACK TO BACK TRAILERS FOR EVERY FILM BEING SHOWN AT THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL.
Fan favorite, the FREE Trailer Party will return to Globe Cinema on Thursday, September 5 for a fourth year. Starting at 6:30pm, join up to 750 Calgarians as you sit back, relax, and watch all the available trailers for the 20th Anniversary Calgary International Film Festival line-up. This is the best chance for fans to get a taste of all the films on the big screen and mark the ones they want to see on their official CIFF checklist!
Doors open at 6pm - arrive early to get a good seat! Trailers will start at 6:30PM in Globe Up and 7:00PM in Globe Down.
This event is free, via pre-registration and is first come first serve on the night.
*While an ATM is available on site, for your convenience, we recommend you come with cash in hand for concessions.
Alberta-Made Shorts Package
Sunday, September 22 at 6:30PM | Globe Cinema
Tickets $15
MARY MACKAGONNE: Creator Sean Smith honors the memory of his great-great-great-great-great grandmother, Mary Mackagonne, a Swampy Cree woman who goes entirely uncredited in Canadian history.
Alberta Spirit represents the emerging voices and a breadth of experiences, communities and features from Alberta.
LAKE: Shot on 16mm, LAKE riffs off classic French vérité cinema to share a contemporary portrait of Métis women net fishing in Northern Alberta. It was created by CIFF alumnus, Cree director and producer Alexandra Lazarowich.
A WALK DOWN TO THE WATER: This short film by 2016 Alberta Spirit alumnus Levi Howell follows an immigrant employee working at a rural motel after he discovers that a guest has passed away in one of the rooms.
AETERNITAS: Lead scientist Lauren Wynne has discovered the secrets to human time travel. Now, as the first test pilot risks all to make history, there’s just one problem: they’ve fallen in love.
ALL SAINTS: Strung together by the Catholic Church, a confession booth, and the Rosary, ALL SAINTS is a voyeuristic and light-hearted character study with a strong commentary on womanhood, religion, and culture.
DOCKING: CIFF veteran Trevor Anderson and 2012 Alberta Spirit award winner reflects on his fear of dating in this five minute short which premiered at Sundance.
JUST ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL FAMILY: Just an ordinary suburban family-- except that Dad's transgender, Mom's queer, and there are five kids in this minivan. This is one family’s true story of identity, trust, and transformation.
ZOMBIES AND INDIANS: Enter a world destroyed by a zombie apocalypse, where two men, Kirt (Derek Miller) and Will (Howie Miller) stand watch at the barricades surrounding the Rez.
(2005). Directed by Ang Lee. USA. 134 minutes. 14A.
Set against the sweeping vistas of the Rocky Mountains, two young men - a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy meet in the summer of 1963 and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love.
These Free SCREENINGS CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE ALBERTA FILM INDUSTRY
To celebrate our 20th Anniversary we want to highlight some of the great films that have been made right here in Alberta over the past 20 years. Our Retrospective series Made In Alberta will celebrate our local industry and in partnership with the New Central Library we'll be hosting FIVE FREE community screenings.
These Free screenings will be held at the Central Library during the festival. Below are the films that will be screened as part of the series. Click through to the films to watch their trailers.
Tickets will be available for registration from Friday, August 23.
*This is a free event however a pre-registration ticket is required.
(2007). Directed by Andrew Dominik. USA. 160 minutes.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford delves into the private life and public exploits of America's most notorious outlaw. As the charismatic and unpredictable Jesse James (Brad Pitt) plans his next great robbery, he wages war on his enemies, who are trying to collect the reward money - and the glory - riding on his capture. But the greatest threat to his life may ultimately come from those he trusts the most. 14A.
(2010). Directed by Christopher Nolan. USA. 148 minutes. PG.
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
(2008). Directed by Paul Gross. Canada. 114 minutes. 14A.
Sergeant Michael Dunne fights in the 10th Battalion, AKA The "Fighting Tenth" with the 1st Canadian Division and participated in all major Canadian battles of the war, and set the record for highest number of individual bravery awards for a single battle.
Photos courtesy of Calgary Film
