CIFF 2022 Final Report

2022 FESTIVAL REPORT

CIFF 2022 featured one of our best and most exciting lineups to date! From CIFF alum Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or winner

TRIANGLE OF SADNESS and festival-favourite Hirokazu Koreeda’s BROKER, to Venice winner ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED and Sarah Polley’s gripping drama WOMEN

TALKING, audiences packed the cinemas to take in some of the year’s most buzzworthy titles.

As the largest film festival in Alberta, CIFF prides itself on championing the Alberta flm industry.

ALBERTA-MADE

We welcomed 33 local filmmakers with red carpets and packed screenings of 34 remarkable homegrown features and shorts. Alberta’s brightest creatives took home several major jury awards, earning up to $33,000 in cash and prizes.

Thisyear’sfestival featured a variety o f immersiveandspe cialexperiences...

Venturing beyond flm into the world of Interactive Digital Media, CIFF crafted a uniquely immersive experience for audiences.

IDM HUB

Our impressive lineup of games and virtual reality experiences brought action and adventure to Eau Claire Market. Players traversed space in the shoes of a stranded astronaut, ripped opponents limb from limb in the body of a gladiator and even came of age as a gigantic, kind-hearted, tentacled beast.

Fans of renowned pop duo Tegan and Sara flocked to CIFF for out screening of their new Amazon Freevee series, HIGH SCHOOL.

TEGAN & SARA

The audience delighted in Tegan and Sara’s hilarious anecdotes as they told CBC’s Chris dela Torre all about the process of writing their celebrated memoir and creating the show right here in Calgary. After enjoying an early look at the first three episodes of the new series, audiences were treated to a stunning acoustic performance of hits like ‘Closer’ and ‘Where Does The Good Go’, thanking the duo with an ardent standing ovation.

Chad VanGaalen brought his unique sound to the dome at Contemporary Calgary, performing a live score to one of the most influential flms from the silent era.

NOSFERATU

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of F.W. Murnau’s horror classic NOSFERATU, CIFF joined forces once again with Calgary’s own Chad VanGaalen (performing as Black Mold). Chad took the roof off Calgary’s coolest art gallery with two back-to-back sold-out performances, leaving audiences mesmerized by his psychedelic sea of sights and sounds.

Broadcasting monthly from CJSW, Movie Night features dynamic hosts leading tongue-in-cheek interviews and playing interactive games with creative guests.

‘MOVIE NIGHT WITH CIFF’ PODCAST

Guests have included 2022 Academy Award® Winner Ben Proudfoot, Sundance Independent Spirit Award-Winning Director Andrew Ahn (FIRE ISLAND, DRIVEWAYS, SPA NIGHT) and renowned multidisciplinary artist Chad VanGaalen.

INDUSTRY

Curated withan eyetothefutur e, CIFFsetthe sceneforindustry conversations that were notonly informativebut inspiring.

Despite being inaugurated just last year, CIFF Industry Week is quickly becoming one of the most vital gatherings of screen media creators in Western Canada.

INDUSTRY WEEK

72% OF INDUSTRY PASS HOLDERS ARE FROM WESTERN CANADA

49 CANADIAN INDUSTRY LEADERS SPOKE ON CIFF PANELS

40% GROWTH IN ATTENDANCE IN ITS SECOND YEAR!

The industry’s most illustrious and vital organizations support CIFF in its mission to foster the future of the Canadian film industry.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

“From the Directors Guild of Canada and the Canada Media Fund to IATSE Local 212, Alberta Film, Creatives Empowered, Calgary Economic Development and many more, CIFF’s Industry Partners made Industry Week a resounding success.”

See pages 51–52 for a full list of 2022 Industry Partners

“The Calgary International Film Festival is a key partner in the city’s creative sector. We are honoured to be a motion picture, digital media and entertainment sponsor and supporter.”

- Calgary Economic Development, Creative Industries Team

“It was a pleasure returning to Calgary for an in-person festival. Working with the team at CIFF is always fantastic and the audiences in Calgary are always so receptive. Looking forward to collaborating on celebrating the work of Canadian filmmakers for years to come.”

- Hans Engel, Senior Manager, Directors Guild of Canada

CIFF rolled out the red carpet for the exceptional creatives who attended our festival, providing them with media opportunities, premieres and postscreening Q&As.

FILMMAKERS

Visiting filmmakers received an Industry Week pass, giving them access to all of the films and industry events where they networked with peers and noteworthy industry leaders. The programming team also took special care of our visiting filmmakers, personally connecting with them through a variety of social events and even keeping in touch post-festival.

65 FILMMAKERS FROM THIS YEAR’S OFFICIALLY SELECTED MOVIES ATTENDED IN PERSON

71 FILMMAKERS GAVE Q&AS

With

Academy Award® accreditation and over $25,000 in juried cash prizes, CIFF is a world-class celebration of cinema’s best and brightest.

AWARD WINNERS

With the help of partners like William H. White International and the Vancouver Film School, CIFF does more than recognize outstanding talent. Offering funding and education, our awards support winners in their development as filmmakers.

I LIKE MOVIES

Taking home the festival’s largest cash prize of $10,000, Chandler Levack and her debut feature, I LIKE MOVIES won the coveted RBC Emerging Canadian Artist Award!

AYOUNGMAN

This stunning local documentary about a mother losing her son to a race-related murder triumphed at CIFF 2022, earning the $1,000 Alberta Short Film Devon Bolton Memorial Award and a $10,000 Gift Card from William F. White International, Inc.

AWARDS

JURY AWARDS

RBC Emerging Canadian Artist $10,000 I LIKE MOVIES, directed by Chandler Levack

DGC Best Canadian Documentary, $5,000 THE PERFECT STORY, directed by Michelle Shephard

Best International Narrative Feature, $1,000 PIAFFE, directed by Ann Oren

Best International Documentary Feature, $1,000 BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY, directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb

Grand Jury Prize for Short Film, $2,500

As an Oscar®-qualifying Festival, this short is now eligible for consideration at the 2022 Academy Awards®. CENSOR OF DREAMS, directed by Leo Berne and Raphaël Rodriguez

Devon Bolton Memorial Award for Best Alberta Short Film, $1,000

AYOUNGMAN, directed by Larry Day and Holly Fortier

Best Live Action Short Film, $1,000 NO GHOST IN THE MORGUE, directed by Marilyn Cooke

Best Documentary Short Film, $1,000

FREEDOM SWIMMER, directed by Olivia Martin-McGuire

Best Animated Short Film, $1,000

THE FLYING SAILOR, directed by Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby

Best Student Short Film, $1,000 HOLLYWOOD, directed by Leni Gruber and Alex Reinberg

Best Youth by Youth Canada Short Film, $500 + up to $18,000 scholarship to Vancouver Film School + $2,500 Gift Card from William F. White International, Inc. toward the winner’s next project IS THIS THE PLACE?, directed by Maxwell Couture

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

Presented by Telus

Alberta Feature FRANCHESKA: PRAIRIE QUEEN, directed by Laura O’Grady

Canadian Narrative I LIKE MOVIES, directed by Chandler Levack

Canadian Documentary 752 IS NOT A NUMBER, directed by Babak Payami

International Narrative CALL JANE, directed by Phyllis Nagy

International Documentary THE PEZ OUTLAW, directed by Bryan Storkel and Amy Bandlien Storkel

Late Shift FINAL CUT, directed by Michel Hazanavicius

Music on Screen BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE: CARRY IT ON, directed by Madison Thomas

Generation Next BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY, directed by Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb

Special Presentations

WOMEN TALKING, directed by Sarah Polley

Alberta Short PIITA AAPASSKAAN, directed by Brock Davis Mitchell

Documentary Short FREEDOM SWIMMER, directed by Olivia Martin-McGuire

Narrative Short NIGHT RIDE, directed by Eirik Tveiten

Animated Short CORVINE, directed by Sean McCarron

Aftertwoyears ofpandemic, we weredelighted to welcomeour

COMMUNITY

b elovedCIFFfans backtothethea tres inincreased numbers!

CIFF experiences continue to deliver, with audiences loving the in-cinema festival energy. Special experiences such as NOSFERATU and HIGH SCHOOL were a hit, particularly with the younger audience and first time attendees.

OUR AUDIENCE

Returning cinema lovers make up the largest audience segment, and enjoy the big screen, overall atmosphere, and opportunity to see new and unique films. A core of devotees circle their calendars, attend multiple screenings no matter what, and are the most diverse of the CIFF audience. First timers are likeliest to attend socially, tend to be drawn by a specific film, and want something out of the ordinary.

27,445 2022 TOTAL ATTENDANCE

28% WERE FIRST TIME FESTIVAL ATTENDEES, A FIVE YEAR HIGH!

94% OF ATTENDEES ARE FROM THE CALGARY AREA AGE RANGE:

81% OF FIRST TIME ATTENDEES PLAN TO RETURN NEXT YEAR

9/10 AUDIENCE MEMBERS SAY CIFF MET OR EXCEEDED THEIR EXPECTATIONS

4/5 AUDIENCE MEMBERS SAY SPECIAL EVENTS INCREASED THEIR OVERALL FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

5.1 NUMBER OF FILMS THE AVERAGE ATTENDEE SAW

7.3M DIGITAL AD IMPRESSIONS

559K WEBSITE UNIQUE PAGE VIEWS

Thanks to the generous support of our new presenting partner, connectFirst Credit Union, we were able to bring audiences a bigger and better festival.

PRESENTING PARTNER

In honour of the extraordinary Alberta Spirit Documentary FRANCHESKA: PRAIRIE QUEEN, connectFirst helped us transform the centre court of Eau Claire Market into a rainbow eleganza, extravaganza.

RAINBOW CARPET

The air sparkled with the glow of dozens of pageant queens and 2SLGBTQIA+ community royalty, as supporters from across the country came down to cheer on Francheska at the World Premiere of her film.

CIFF fans let the dogs (and cats) out for the year’s most adorable red carpet!

RED CAR-PET

Presented by connectFirst, film’s furriest fans got all gussied up and headed to Globe Cinema to strike a pose on our annual Red Car’Pet’! CIFF’s four-legged friends even got a special treat after their red carpet walk, thanks to connectFirst!

Transported by this vibrant display, fans experienced a fun new way to browse our stellar lineup.

VIDEO PALACE

With connectFirst’s support, we were able to transform this space into an immersive installation that added the perfect touch of nostalgia and whimsy to the film browsing experience. The palace also served as the Industry check-in desk, charming moviegoers and industry members alike.

On September 30, CIFF honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a selection of films from the indigenous perspective.

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Film fans enjoyed special screenings of four exceptional feature films by Indigenous creators. Those attending were also treated to a beautiful performance by The LaBelle Sisters who performed a compilation of fancy, jingle and hoop dance. A portion of the ticket proceeds from these screenings was donated to the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY). With 461 tickets sold, CIFF was able to donate $1,844 towards their Gear Up Event to purchase winter wear for street youth.

Mayor Jyoti Gonkek joined us for an intimate Film Circle event to build awareness for CIFF’s emerging filmmakers and youth support programs among current and prospective donors.

FILM CIRCLE

Generation Next previewer James Duric and local alumni filmmaker Gillian McKercher graciously shared their experiences, speaking openly about how these programs have helped them flourish and fostered their passion for cinema.

FILM CIRCLE MEMBERS

PLATINUM: Joe Novak

GOLD: Therese ‘Tag’ Goulet, Kelly Hewson, Mary Rozsa de Coquet

SILVER: Michael Dettner/ Samantha Beaupre, Louise & Jeff Gill, Sammi Ha, Gil Hopkins, Lindsay Horne/Karen Cosenza, Nevena Ivanovic, Jill MacKenzie/Phillip Johnson, Lynn Moen, Lori Montgomery, Paul Moore/Susan Swan, Chris & Sue Mylde, Kelly Pitaoulis, Becky & Terry Rock, Alan Ross, Becky Scott, Peter & Terry Wallis, Joy Williams/Stafford

Gorsalitz, Doug Wong, Helen Zenith

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AT CIFF

KIKINO KIDS

This whimsical exploration of youth and community was a total hit at CIFF 2022. Thanks to the film’s editor/ cinematographer, Brock Davis Mitchell, over 60 of the kids from the Kikino Métis Settlement were able to travel all the way to Calgary to join us for the screening. Their excitement was infectious as they strutted the red carpet dressed to the nines and delighted the sold-out audience with their inqusitiveness at the Q&A.

GENERATION NEXT

In its fifth year, Generation Next empowered Calgary high school students to pick six films relevant to their generation and give a new voice to the youth perspective. This series featured a diverse range of genres and stories from around the world, including the delightful READING RAINBOW documentary, BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY, starring LeVar Burton, and the adorable yet educational GOOD NIGHT OPPY.

We proudly introduced our new Safer Spaces policy, developed in collaboration with Calgary’s Centre for Sexuality.

SAFER SPACES

The Safer Spaces policy, in addition to active bystander training for all staff, reflects CIFF’s committment to creating and maintaining a respectful festival environment that is free from discrimination, violence, bullying, harassment, sexual assault, stalking, abuse, and threats. Our goal is for all people to feel safe and welcome at CIFF, and to challenge and address all forms of discrimination and oppression.

96% OF ATTENDEES SAID CIFF OFFERS A WELCOMING & SAFE ENVIRONMENT

82% SAY THAT THEY FEEL INCLUDED IN THE EVENTS

PARTNERS

PRESENTING PARTNER

connectFirst Credit Union

MAJOR PARTNERS

Calgary Economic Development (CED)

Cineplex

Globe Cinema

PUBLIC FUNDERS AND FOUNDATIONS

Government of Alberta

Alberta Film

Alberta Foundation for the Arts

City of Calgary

Calgary Arts Development

Government of Canada

Rozsa Foundation

Telefilm Canada

AWARD PARTNERS

RBC

DGC (Director’s Guild of Canada)

Telus

Vancouver Film School

William F. White International

Gravitas Ventures

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

RBC

DGC (Director’s Guild of Canada)

Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada

Canada Media Fund (CMF)

Calgary Economic Development (CED)

IATSE Local 212

Bow Valley College

DGC (Alberta District Council)

Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

ICG 669

ACTRA

Vancouver Film School

Creatives Empowered

Alberta Media Producers Industries Association (AMPIA)

Prairie Dog Film + Television

Canadian Cinema Editors

On Set Headsets

2150 Creative

FILM SECTION PARTNERS

Scott Venturo Rudakoff, LLP

Jerilyn Wright & Associates

Ship & Anchor

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

Dairy Farmers of Canada

Pekarsky & Co.

PwC

Hopewell Residential

University of Calgary

Devolver Digital

MNP LLP

Calgary Downtown Association

Conway Injury Law

Taylor Law

Binder Productions

Stone Olafson

Bamboo Shoots

Eau Claire

Contemporary Calgary

MEDIA PARTNERS

CTV

Virgin Radio

CJAY-92

Funny 1060

CBC Calgary

CJSW

LoKnow

Calgary Airport Authority

Range Magazine

Curiocity Calgary

Avenue Magazine (Redpoint Media)

Pattison Outdoor

Next Magazine

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

Alberta University of the Arts

Banded Peak Brewing

Blindman Brewing

The Establishment Brewing Company

Village Brewery

Residence Inn by Marriott

Minas Brazilian Steakhouse

The Westin

Landmark Cinemas

New World Interactive

TPH

Furniture Connection

Wi-com

Eventive

Alberta Podcast Network

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jill MacKenzie, President

Kristen Anderson, Vice President

Sammi Ha, Treasurer-Secretary

Zahra Allidina, Director

David Khan, Director

Paul Moore, Director

Amish Morjaria, Director

Kathryn Nyland, Director

Kelly Pitaoulis, Director

Terry Rock, Director

Alan Ross, Director

Kory Wickenhauser, Director

STAFF

EXECUTIVE

Stephen Schroeder, Executive Director

Ashley Menzies, Grants Associate

Courtney Smith, Special Experiences Associate

Phillip Johnson, Controller

Phyllis Lizacich, Bookkeeper

Aswathi Rahul, Payroll Administrator

Elevated HR, Human Resources

ARTISTIC

Brian Owens, Artistic Director

PROGRAMMING

Brenda Lieberman, Lead Programmer

Adam Keresztes, Programming Administrator & Shorts

Programmer

Guy Lavallee, Features Programmer

Keoputhy Bunny, Artistic Intern & IDM Hub Coordinator

Miguel Oblea, Artistic Intern & IDM Hub Coordinator

INDUSTRY

Julia Gunst, Industry Relations Coordinator

Matthew Guerrero, Industry Program Coordinator

PRODUCTION

Matthew McKinney, Production Manager

Charlotte Cuvilier, Production Specialist

Calvin D’Silva, Video Editor & Camera Operator

Jake McBreen, Industry Venue Tech

Robyn Jabusch, Logistics Coordinator

Alan Johnson, Film Testing Crew

Colin Lowe, Film Testing Crew

Cole Binder, Binder Productions

Paul Stickney, Binder Productions

GENERATION NEXT

Tammy Wolinsky, Education Coordinator

OPERATIONS

Katherine Penhale, Operations Director

Taryn Craig, Operations Specialist

Tiffany Carlson, Volunteer Coordinator

PROJECTION

Kai Hall, Projection Coordinator

Daniel Fregene, Projection Coordinator

Murray Boyer, Projectionist

Marnie Dunbar, Projectionist

Kayla Erdos, Projectionist

Phil Jukes, Projectionist

Alan Toth, Projectionist

August Caddel, Projectionist

Olivia Goemans, Projectionist

Eve Kim, Projectionist

Riley Kelly, Projectionist

VENUE

Nicole Burk, Venue Coordinator

Olivia Goemans, Venue Coordinator

Sabrina Buzzalino, Venue Coordinator

Sam Lee, Venue Coordinator

BOX OFFICE

Selene O’Rourke, Box Office Coordinator

Judith Duthie, Box Office Coordinator

Holly Desimone, Cashier Supervisor

Daniel Ryan, Cashier

Neil James, Cashier

Dannica Mae Dulay, Cashier

Jaime Hernández Delgado, Cashier

Jess Parker, Cashier

Jacqueline Huskisson, Cashier

AJ Camingue, Cashier

Shania Charolette Shot Both Sides, Cashier

MARKETING & ENGAGEMENT

Morgan Cairns, Marketing Manager

Lucia Juliao, Partnerships & Donations Manager

Rebecca Zahn, Partnership Specialist

Aldona Barutowicz, Publicist

Gabriela Aguilar, Marketing Content Coordinator

David Drinnan, Marketing & Engagement Coordinator

Tracie Sartori, Film Circle Lounge Coordinator

Hayley Dechaine, PR Assitant

Sarah Radomsky, Film Circle Lounge Bartender

Sharyn Rosinke, Film Circle Lounge Bartender

Cecilia McKay, Film Circle Lounge Bartender

Michael Grondin, Photography

Heather Saitz, Graphic Design

Brian Cairns, Web Developer

Hidden Story, Videography

IDEA GUIDES

Guides work with CIFF to challenge and support us on our journey towards reconciliation, and greater inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) at CIFF. We are grateful to this new and growing circle:

Jordan Baylon

Kevin Littlelight

Shivani Saini

Sable Sweetgrass

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, CALGARY!

SEPTEMBER 21 – OCTOBER 1, 2023