Film
A guide to annual film festivals, organizations for aspiring filmmakers, educational institutions—and some classic Alberta films.
Edmonton
FILM FESTIVALS
SEPTEMBER
THE MOSQUERS FILM FESTIVAL
www.themosquers.com
Sep 18–21
A portmanteau of “mosque” and “Oscars,” Mosquers was founded in 2006 to combat misconceptions about the Muslim narrative through film and storytelling. The event now features a short-film competition, red carpet gala, live performances and an awards ceremony.
DREAMSPEAKERS FILM FESTIVAL
dreamspeakers.org
Sep 19–21
The longest-running Indigenous film festival in Canada. Over 40 features, shorts, animations and documentaries by Indigenous filmmakers and creatives will be screened in-person and online.
EDMONTON EXPO COMICS & ENTERTAINMENT
fanexpohq.com/edmontonexpo
Sep 19–21
This celebration of pop culture, comics, sci-fi, anime and gaming includes celebrity guests Christopher Lloyd and two former Supermans, Tom Welling and Brandon Routh.
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
edmontonfilmfest.com
Sep 25–Oct 5
Each year this festival holds the Edmonton premiere for more than 150 films from 50+ countries around the world. The feature-length films are from a wide variety of genres. Short-film Grand Jury- winners in the live action and animation categories are both eligible for Academy Award consideration.
This 1986 debut from Edmonton-born writer/director Anne Wheeler was nominated for eight Genies.
OCTOBER
NORTHWESTFEARFEST
www.northwestfest.ca/fearfest
Oct 15–19
This horror-themed event put on by the Global Visions Festival Society will screen a combination of 15 classics and new films at the Metro Cinema.
EDMONTON UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL
euff02.site
Oct 18
This celebration of low-budget and fringe work, now in its second year, will focus on experimental and erotic films.
EDMONTON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
esff.ca
Oct 18, 19
The Alberta independent films screened each year include short films from any genre, music videos, web series, commercials and trailers.
A 2023 documentary directed by Edmontonian Omar Mouallem details an immigrant success story on the prairies.
NOVEMBER
YIKES! FILM FESTIVAL
yikesfest.com
Nov 6–8
Horror, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, experimental films and B movies compete for a variety of awards and cash prizes.
BROAD VIEW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
broadviewfilmfest.com
Nov 13–16
Women-directed films are showcased at this festival. The organization also works year-round to help cultivate local filmmakers’ careers through script development, professional development and leadership training.
FEBRUARY
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF WINTER CINEMA
www.ifwc.ca
Feb 6–15, 2026
Films focusing on winter life, Indigenous perspectives and climate change are projected on a giant snow screen each year in partnership with the Silver Skate Festival.
MARCH
FAVA FEST
fava.ca
Mar 6, 13 and 20, 2026
A celebration of the Alberta filmmaking community, with member screenings and awards for narratives, documentaries, animation and music videos.
APRIL
UKRAINIAN FILM FESTIVAL IN EDMONTON
www.ukrfilmfestival.com
Apr 11–13, 2026
Contemporary Ukrainian cinema from around the world.
MAY
EDMONTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
www.jewishedmonton.org/film-festival
May 2026
This event featuring recent Jewish-themed local and international films is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
RAINBOW VISIONS
www.rainbowvisions.ca
May 2026
For over 10 years the Global Visions Festival Society has screened feature-length and short 2SLGBTQIA+ films by new and veteran filmmakers.
NORTHWESTFILMFEST
www.northwestfest.ca
May 7–17, 2026
While the programming emphasizes non-fiction and documentary films, the recently introduced Storytellers stream opens the door for independent narrative films too.
AUGUST
ANIMETHON
animethon.org
Aug 2026
An annual Japanese animation (anime) themed festival organized by the Alberta Society for Asian Popular Arts.
This 2024 comedy stars Calgary’s Paul Spence as Deaner, a metalhead character from 2002’s cult classic FUBAR.
FILM ORGANIZATIONS
EDMONTON SCREEN
edmontonscreen.com
Supporting the development of film and television in Edmonton through location scouting, mentorship, project grants and sponsorship support.
FAVA: FILM AND VIDEO ARTS SOCIETY
fava.ca
Equipment, studios, education, screenings, industry workshops and networking opportunities are offered by this not-for-profit artist-run- centre for filmmakers, video and media artists in Edmonton.
Calgary
FILM FESTIVALS
SEPTEMBER
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
www.ciffcalgary.ca
Sep 18–28
CIFF now features over 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and across the globe. World premieres this year include Bif Naked and Singhs in the Ring.
A 2024 feature from Alexander Carson and North Country Cinema, the director-driven Calgary media arts collective.
OCTOBER
CALGARY ARAB FILM NIGHTS
www.calgaryarabartssociety.ca
Oct 3–5
Film screenings held alongside discussions, performances and art exhibitions. The 14th edition of the festival hosted by the Calgary Arab Arts & Culture Society.
WILDDOGS INTERNATIONAL SCREENDANCE FESTIVAL
wilddogs.ca
Oct 4, 5
This hybrid in-person and online festival focuses on works highlighting dance and movement in cinema.
MOS FILM FESTIVAL
www.mosfilmfest.com
Oct 6–10
Audio-less films, shorts and videos are selected to match the unconventional spaces they are screened in at the Vivo indoor park.
HOMEGROWN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
wearehomegrown.ca
Oct 17, 18
The Stonyslope Brewing Company hosts the second edition of this short-film festival for fresh-out-of-film-school and veteran filmmakers alike.
NOVEMBER
CALGARY JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL
justicefilmfestival.ca
Nov 6–8
Each of this festival’s free screenings of social- justice films are followed by discussions with the filmmakers and experts. A pop- up Peace Market showcases local non-profits, NGOs and community-focused groups.
GIRAF—GIANT INCANDESCENT RESONATING ANIMATION FESTIVAL
www.giraffest.ca
Nov 13–23
The Quickdraw Animation Society presents inventive and experimental independent animation from Canada and abroad, with over 50 screenings online and in person each year.
CUFF.DOCS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
www.calgaryundergroundfilm.org/cuffdocs
Nov 19–23
More than a dozen non-fiction feature-length and short films, with filmmaker Q&As. Presented by the Calgary Underground Film Festival each year at the Globe Cinema.
This 2011 Canadian comedy by director Michael Peterson about live-action role-playing (LARPing) premiered at CIFF.
MARCH
ANIMOVIES
animatedobjects.ca/animovies
Mar 19, 2026
Each year the Calgary Animated Objects Society presents stop-motion, puppetry and animated-object short films. Last year’s event was curated by Aiden Powderface and featured programming with mature audiences in mind.
PARTICLE + WAVE
emmedia.ca/particle-wave
Mar 2026
For over 10 years, Emmedia’s annual experimental arts festival has highlighted innovative works in media arts, including film, video and virtual reality.
The 2022 directorial debut from Edmonton’s Kyle Edward Ball grossed $2-million on a mere $15,000 budget.
APRIL
ARTIFACT FILM FESTIVAL
artifactfilmfestival.com
Apr 2–4, 2026
Calgary’s only celluloid-based film festival screens films shot on Super 8 and 16mm stock exclusively.
CALGARY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL
www.calgaryundergroundfilm.org
Apr 16–26, 2026
Unconventional and independent horror, sci-fi, fantasy, music and comedy genres are well represented at this festival, founded in 2003.
CALGARY EXPO
fanexpohq.com/calgaryexpo
Apr 23–26, 2026
Over 100,000 fans of comics, sci-fi, horror and anime attend this pop culture celebration formerly known as the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo,
MAY
CALGARY BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
calgaryblackfilm.com
May 22–26, 2026
Black stories, filmmakers and artists from many countries and cultures are the focus of this festival in its sixth year.
JUNE
FAIRY TALES QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
queerfilmfest.ca
Jun 2026
The Calgary Queer Arts Society operates this long- running festival rooted in Queer lived experiences across genres.
THIRD ACTION FILM FESTIVAL
www.thirdactionfilmfest.ca
Jun 2026
A festival focused on celebrating and accurately portraying aging.
FILM ORGANIZATIONS
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
www.instagram.com/aleagueoftheirowncinema
A monthly series that celebrates women filmmakers.
CALGARY CINEMATHEQUE
calgarycinema.org
A non-profit film society dedicated to showcasing significant and historically relevant cinema through weekly screenings.
CALGARY SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS
csif.org
Founded in 1978, CSIF provides equipment, mentorship, workshops and facilities to independent filmmakers in Calgary.
QUICKDRAW ANIMATION SOCIETY
quickdrawanimation.ca
Production resources, intensive courses, workshops and frequent screenings of independent animation.
This 2007 Oscar-nominated film was shot in Calgary, Morley, Fort Edmonton Park, Kananaskis Country and other Alberta locales.
Around Alberta
FILM FESTIVALS
SEPTEMBER
ACROSS ALBERTA INDIA FILM FESTIVAL OF ALBERTA
2025.indiafilmfestival.ca
Sep 5–28
The 11th edition of this festival presented by the Edmonton Movie Club includes a spotlight on northeast Indian cinema. Screenings take place all month in Calgary, Edmonton and Sherwood Park.
LETHBRIDGE UNITED WAY SOCIAL IMPACT FILM FESTIVAL
www.socialimpactfilmfestival.org
Sep 26, 27
Documentaries, narrative features and short films on social issues paired with Q&A sessions and networking opportunities.
This 2014 film, directed by Christopher Nolan, was shot in Lethbridge, Longview, Fort Macleod and Nanton.
OCTOBER
RED DEER CENTRAL ALBERTA FILM FESTIVAL
www.cafilmfestival.ca
Oct 1–4
The eighth edition of this festival will screen 30+ films from across Canada and well beyond, with an emphasis on local productions.
NOVEMBER
BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM AND BOOK FESTIVAL
www.banffcentre.ca/film-fest
Nov 1–9
The 50th anniversary of this annual festival of acclaimed films on adventure and mountain culture features guest speakers, exhibitions and a festival marketplace. The Fire and Ice Symposium (Nov 4, 5) explores the role of storytelling in creating positive impact through the lenses of ice and wildfire and will feature Børge Ousland, Vincent Colliard and James Balog.
BANFF PITCH FEST
www.banffcentre.ca/banffpitch
Nov 8
Emerging filmmakers pitch their ideas to an international jury in front of a live audience. The winning pitch receives a $25,000 prize.
ACROSS ALBERTA BANFF CENTRE MOUNTAIN FILM AND BOOK FESTIVAL ONLINE
www.banffcentre.ca/banff-on-demand
Nov 12–23
Films from the festival can be watched online.
The Order (2024), starring Jude Law, was filmed in Calgary, Drumheller, Didsbury, Wayne, Dorothy and Kananaskis Country.
DECEMBER
OKOTOKS FESTIVE FILM FESTIVAL
okotoksfilmfestival.ca/festive-film-festival
Dec 13
Year-end holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve, are celebrated in this one-day festival comprised of a feature film screening and a number of short films.
FEBRUARY
CAMROSE NORDLYS FILM AND ARTS FESTIVAL
www.nordlysfestival.com
Feb 13–15, 2026
The festival screens award- winning films from over 30 countries each year at the historic Bailey Theatre.
APRIL
LETHBRIDGE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
Apr 2026
The 2025 edition of this festival featured over 50 film screenings from Alberta and around the world, including 37 premieres.
JUNE
OKOTOKS FILM FESTIVAL
okotoksfilmfestival.ca
Jun 4–13, 2026
The Okotoks Film Society has recently launched a year-round supporter program to ensure the 10th edition of its festival will be the biggest yet.
BANFF WORLD MEDIA FESTIVAL
banffmediafestival.playbackonline.ca
Jun 2026
For over 45 years, this festival has gathered producers, showrunners, writers, actors, producers, studios, streamers, press and media companies together to pitch, shop and develop new films and series and participate in seminars and master classes.
FILM ORGANIZATIONS
AIRDRIE‘S SOCIAL CINEMA
www.yourapl.ca/Airdrie-s-Social-Cinema
This community film club gathers in the public library’s Program Room to cultivate a film-loving community through screenings of classics and world and arthouse favourites.
ALBERTA FILM COMMISSION
www.alberta.ca/alberta-film-commission
Supporting emerging independent local filmmakers and big Hollywood productions alike, the commission offers aid through location scouting, financial incentives and funding opportunities, access to local crews and post-production resources and studios, and the dissemination of information on how to navigate the industry.
ALBERTA MEDIA PRODUCTION INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
ampia.org
This province-wide industry association provides workshops and resources for its membership, lobbies for film funding and promotes the work of Albertan filmmakers.
DIRECTORS GUILD OF ALBERTA
www.dgc.ca/alberta
Formed in 1982, the Alberta arm of the Directors Guild of Canada represents nearly 350 members.
LETHBRIDGE INDEPENDENT FILM SOCIETY
www.lifs-ab.com
LIFS provides networking opportunities, educational talks and workshops for amateurs and industry veterans, whether they be actors, filmmakers, writers, technicians, directors or film enthusiasts.
OKOTOKS FILM SOCIETY
okotoksfilmfestival.ca/about
Originally a means to present the Okotoks Film Festival, the organization now has a broader goal of making the area a fertile zone for film creation, with educational and networking opportunities.
Film Schools
ALBERTA UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS (AUARTS)
A Bachelor of Fine Arts with a media arts concentration gives students the tools to progress towards a career as a film and video producer. The AUArts studio facilities include projection and screening spaces, production studios, a green screen, a tracking dolly, lighting kits and audio recording tools.
www.auarts.ca/media-arts
An animation minor, on the other hand, with its access to specialized software and camera setups, helps students learn how to become analog, digital or stop-motion animators.
www.auarts.ca/animation
BOW VALLEY COLLEGE
A full-time two-year Advanced Film Production program covers the major areas of live-action film development: directing, producing, cinematography, production design and post-production.
www.bowvalleycollege.ca/advanced-film-production
Also the home of the Centre for the Entertainment Arts program, the college offers programs in 3D animation and modelling as well as visual effects. Both programs can help students get their foot in the door of the film, TV and animation industries.
www.bowvalleycollege.ca/entertainment-arts
MACEWAN UNIVERSITY
An interdisciplinary Bachelor of Fine Arts in arts and cultural management, studio arts, music theatre performance or theatre production prepares students for careers in front of or behind the camera.
www.macewan.ca/bachelor-of-fine-arts
MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
The Journalism and Digital Media program is a good fit for students seeking a career in documentary filmmaking.
www.mtroyal.ca/JournalismAndDigitalMedia
The Broadcast and Media Studies program is a favourite of aspiring filmmakers, television producers, editors and live production directors.
www.mtroyal.ca/BroadcastMediaStudies
NORTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (NAIT)
This polytechnic focuses on creative and technical training for film in its Narrative Cinema Production program (www.nait.ca/narrative-cinema-production) and television production skills in its Media Communications and Production program (www.nait.ca/television).
PIXEL BLUE COLLEGE
This post-secondary institution offers a digital arts education with industry-trained faculty in video and audio, including 3D animation, visual effects and sound and music engineering.
www.pixelblue.ca
RED DEER POLYTECHNIC
Bachelor of Applied Arts programs are offered in animation and visual effects and film production. In the final year of each program, students get to either work in the relevant industry in an applied practicum or pursue their own film project.
rdpolytech.ca/film-production
SOUTHERN ALBERTA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (SAIT)
The Film and Video Production diploma program walks students through all aspects of film production: storytelling, scriptwriting, production, cinematography, sound design, post-production and effects.
www.sait.ca/film-and-video-production
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
The university offers BAs and MAs in drama and a conservatory-style professional BFA program in acting.
www.ualberta.ca/drama
Its Film Studies program is aimed at students who want to pursue careers as film critics or playwrights.
www.ualberta.ca/film-studies.
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
A relatively new department at the U of C, Communications and Media Studies gives students the tools to understand and create communication across a variety of media, including film, TV and social media.
www.ucalgary.ca/communication-media-studies
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
In the New Media program, students work toward becoming digital producers, videographers, 3D modellers, animators or screenwriters.
www.ulethbridge.ca/new-media
The school’s technical design program is oriented to more- traditional careers, including costume design, makeup, stage direction and casting.
www.ulethbridge.ca/technical-design
VISUAL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
VCAD’s 3D Modelling program is available online and is aimed at people interested in an artistic pursuit or in a career related to computer- generated imagery
www.vcad.ca/3d-modeling-animation-art-and-design
ALBERTA’S FILM AND TV INDUSTRY
Despite uncertainty created by Trump-era trade policy and the lingering effects of the Writers Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild strikes, Alberta’s film and TV industry continues to thrive. In 2025 MovieMaker named Calgary the fifth-best place in North America to live and work as a filmmaker.
While our mountains, badlands and prairies have been natural draws for countless westerns and Hollywood epics, so too has the suitability of our towns as stand-ins for rural America. A shaky Canadian dollar also helps incentivize productions coming here. A 2024 report by the Canadian Media Producers Association showed foreign film production in this province nearly tripled from the previous year.