CIFF 2024 Final Report

AL FILM FESTIVAL’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY - CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY - CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S 25TH ANN

2024 FESTIVAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS Festival Stats 4

connectFirst Block Party

16

A Constellation of Cinema

5

Closing Gala: Lucky Star

18

Opening Gala: The Thicket

6

Awards 19

No Dress Rehearsal 7

Presenting Partner 21

Alberta Spirit 8

Partners 23

Dark Match 9

Our People 24

Indigenous Voices 10 Special Presentations 11 Youth By Youth Canada

13

Industry Week 14

HEY CALGARY!

The 25th edition of our festival was bigger and better than ever, and you made it possible. Let’s remember a few of our best moments!

OUR SILVER ANNIVERSARY MARKED A RECORD-BREAKING CELEBRATION AS WE SHOWCASED THE FINEST CINEMA FROM AROUND THE GLOBE.

30,751 FESTIVAL ATTENDEES

220

4305 FILMS

FILMS ACCEPTED

SUBMITTED FROM

109

COUNTRIES

112

SHORT FILMS SCREENED

54

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILMS

9697

VOLUNTEER HOURS

113

FESTIVAL PARTNERS

100%

RENEWABLE ENERGY USED

23

INDUSTRY EVENTS

$57K

IN PRIZES AWARDED

33%

USED TRANSIT TO ATTEND

THE JACK SINGER THEATRE

CONTEMPORARY CALGARY

CREATING A CONSTELLATION OF CINEMA

THE PLAZA

THE GLOBE

Our 2024 festival enacted the first phase of our new venue strategy that will ensure our sustainability for years to come. The old “Hub” model focused on a central multiplex in Eau Claire, with other venues acting as satellites. In contrast, the new model is a Constellation of many downtown venues, each with one to two screens, connecting and animating downtown. Combining this with our debut year at Cineplex Chinook we joined the ranks of many any international film festivals who thrive using this model.

CINEPLEX CHINOOK

OPENING GALA: THE THICKET

Thurs Sept

19

CIFF 2024 officially kicked off with a star studded Opening Gala at the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons. The Alberta-made western revenge tale saw co-star Leslie Grace hit the red carpet with director Elliot Lester. The audience was filled with local cast and crew, and the after-party was anchored by local band Liquor Mountain. The evening was the triumphant return to the Jack Singer, CIFF’s first gala at the venue since the COVID-19 pandemic.

WINNER

25TH ANNIVERSARY AUDIENCE AWARD FOR TOP OVERALL SCORE

wed Sept

18

THE TRAGICALLY HIP: NO DRESS REHEARSAL Canada’s band took centre stage and started CIFF’s 25th anniversary with a bang with two sold-out screenings of NO DRESS REHEARSAL. Mike Downie’s intimate docuseries follows the rise and final days of The Tragically Hip before frontman Gord Downie succumbed to cancer.

MON Sept

ALBERTA SPIRIT

23

On September 23 the spotlight was on Alberta as our best and brightest local filmmakers strutted their stuff on the red carpet before the SOLD OUT screening of their short films. From stop-motion animation to documentary, the Alberta Spirit Shorts Package had it all, and Calgary showed up to cheer them on. A special shout out to the entire cast and crew of Barry Bilinsky’s LAST SUMMER for shutting down the carpet in style!

thurs Sept

26

DARK MATCH The Alberta-shot wrestling horror film DARK MATCH thrilled audiences as it held its provincial premiere in Calgary, drawing none other than WWE legend and co-star Chris Jericho to the event. The film, a unique blend of horror and wrestling, captivated fans with its thrilling storyline and local production roots. Jericho’s appearance added a touch of star power to the premiere, attracting wrestling fans and horror enthusiasts alike to celebrate the movie’s launch in the heart of Alberta. DARK MATCH won the CIFF 2024 Audience Choice Award for Late Shift Feature.

INDIGENOUS VOICES CIFF proudly showcased a diverse selection of 16 features and shorts from Indigenous creators, celebrating their powerful storytelling and rich cultural heritage. This unique lineup highlighted voices and perspectives that resonate deeply, offering audiences an unforgettable cinematic journey through the artistry and traditions of Indigenous communities.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) delivered a stunning lineup of new Special Presentations, featuring top-notch talent and renowned directors. Among the must-see movies were Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning ANORA and RUMOURS, an innovative feature by Canadian auteur Guy Maddin.

Mohammad Rasoulof’s THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG took audiences on a powerful journey into betrayal, family, and totalitarianism.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS With two sold-out showings, THE APPRENTICE, starring Sebastian Stan, took filmgoers into the early days of a once and future U.S. President.

Adding a comedic flair was MY OLD ASS, starring the incomparable Aubrey Plaza, which quickly became a crowd favourite. CIFF’s Special Presentation lineup showcased a thrilling mix of genres and styles, making it an unforgettable celebration of world cinema.

sat Sept

21

YOUTH BY YOUTH CANADA Youth By Youth Canada made a powerful impact at CIFF, shining a spotlight on emerging talent by programming and awarding outstanding films created by student filmmakers from across the country. This initiative celebrated the creativity and hard work of young filmmakers, giving them a platform to showcase their stories and hone their craft on a professional stage. Additionally, CIFF’s Generation Next program provided an incredible opportunity for local high school students, granting them free access to all festival films. This initiative aimed to inspire the next generation of cinema lovers and creators, exposing students to a diverse array of films and sparking their interest in storytelling through film. By supporting young voices, CIFF fostered a new wave of creative talent and encouraged the community to engage with the art of filmmaking at every age.

Sept

INDUSTRY WEEK

20–23

CIFF’s Industry Week was a hub of activity and networking for Alberta’s film professionals, offering a packed schedule of events designed to support and grow the local industry. Our Career Fair at Chinook Centre drew a huge turnout and connected aspiring filmmakers and industry members with valuable career resources and opportunities. The week also featured 14 engaging industry panels, covering a diverse range of topics—from film production and funding strategies to the latest in publicity, screenwriting, and distribution.

Sept

20–23

INDUSTRY WEEK The highlight of Industry Week was an inspiring keynote event by acclaimed director Sook-Yin Lee, moderated by local filmmaker Gillian McKercher. With events like these, CIFF’s Industry Week reinforced its role as an essential space for Alberta’s film industry to connect, grow, and thrive.

sat Sept

21

CONNECTFIRST CREDIT UNION PRESENTS THE CIFF BLOCK PARTY Presented by connectFirst Credit Union, the first-ever CIFF Block Party took place in the vibrant neighbourhood of Kensington, creating a festive atmosphere that brought the community together for a night of film, music, and fun.

We set up an outdoor screen and kicked off the evening with a special showing of A Goofy Movie, complete with an introduction by guest Jason Marsden, the voice behind Max Goof. Fans were thrilled to hear from Marsden before reliving this animated classic. Following the family favourite, we treated audiences to screenings of the cult hits Office Space and The Blair Witch Project, celebrating the 25th anniversary of all three films and adding a touch of retro magic to the night.

sat Sept

21

CONNECTFIRST CREDIT UNION PRESENTS THE CIFF BLOCK PARTY The block party wasn’t just about movies—it also featured an exciting music stage with live performances from local talents like Lushings, Tyra Sanderson, The Break-Ins, and Oranje, adding an upbeat, lively soundtrack to the evening. With great films, live music, and a welcoming community vibe, the connectFirst Credit Union Block Party brought together film lovers, families, and festival-goers for a memorable celebration.

sat Sept

21

LUCKY STAR CLOSING GALA CIFF’s closing night was headlined by the world premiere of Lucky Star, a powerful family drama directed by Gillian McKercher. The film captivated audiences with its heartfelt story and standout performances by Terry Chen and Andrew Phung, making it a truly special way to close out the festival. The evening was filled with excitement as cast and crew walked the red carpet, greeted by enthusiastic fans and press, setting a glamorous tone for the night.

After the screening, the celebration continued with an electric after-party that brought together filmmakers, fans, and industry professionals. Adding a unique cultural touch to the event, talented local lion dancers performed traditional Chinese dances, mesmerizing guests with their intricate choreography, vivid costumes, and rhythmic drumming. The performances honoured the cultural themes explored in Lucky Star and left a lasting impression on attendees. CIFF’s closing night not only showcased an extraordinary film but also highlighted the vibrant spirit of community, artistry, and celebration that the festival embodies.

AWARDS JURY AWARDS For 25 years, the Calgary International Film Festival has celebrated the artistry and innovation of filmmakers and creatives worldwide.

Showcasing 200+ short and feature-length films, the festival recognizes outstanding achievements in film through awards and prizes worth over $50,000. These awards are presented by a distinguished panel of jurors. In addition to the juried awards, CIFF presents the TELUS audience choice awards, allowing attendees to vote for their favourite films. CIFF is a qualifying, accredited festival for the Academy Awards®️and the Canadian Screen Awards.

RBC Emerging Canadian Artist Award ($10,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, directed by Matthew Rankkin Honourable Mention: WE FORGOT TO BREAK UP, directed by K. Knox DGC Canadian Documentary Feature Award ($5,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: WILFRED BUCK, directed by Lisa Jackson Honourable Mention: SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO, directed

by Tasha Hubbard Best International Narrative Feature Award ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: MY FAVOURITE CAKE, directed by Maryam Moghaddam & Behtash Sanaeeha Honourable Mention: BOB TREVINO LIKES IT, directed by Tracie Laymon International Documentary Feature Award ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: BLACK BOX DIARIES, directed by Shiori Ito Honourable Mention: DAHOMEY, directed by Mati Diop Special Jury Prize for Artistic Subversion: SECRET MALL APARTMENT, directed by Jeremy Workman Short Film Grand Jury Prize ($2,500 CAD) THE ASSISTANT, directed by Pierre Llanos Special Jury Prize for Social Relevance: CAMPING, directed by Sacha Michaud, Alyssa Ashmore & Nicole Calfchild Special Jury Prize for Acting: Kosar Ali in MUNA, directed by Warda Mohamed Alberta Short Film Devon Bolton Memorial Award ($1,000 CAD +$10,000 Gift Card from Sunbelt Rentals) Grand Jury Prize: LAST SUMMER, directed by Barry Bilinsky

NBCUniversal Youth by Youth Canada Short Film Award ($1,000 CAD + up to $18,000 scholarship to Vancouver Film School + $2,500 Gift Card from Sunbelt Rentals) Grand Jury Prize: NIX’S SYMPHONY, directed by Karina Loerchner Special Jury Prize for Directing: LIFE CO., directed by Zoe Elizabeth Maier & Edie Louise Sawyer Special Jury Prize for Emerging Talent: BEHIND THE DOOR, directed by Una Roulston Special Jury Prize for Editing: THUNDERBIRD AND KILLER WHALE: S-hwuhwa’us & Qul-lhanumutsun, directed by Jason Cheng Live Action Short Film Award ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: SOME KIND OF PARADISE, directed by Nicholas Finegan Animated Short Film Award ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: THE MIRACLE, directed by Neinke Deutz Documentary Short Film Award ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: HELLO STRANGER, directed by Amélie Hardy Experimental Short Film Award ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: CORPUS AND THE WANDERING, directed

by Jo Roy Student Short Film Award Presented by IndigeKin Productions ($1,000 CAD) Grand Jury Prize: BUG DINER, directed by Phoebe Jane Hart

AWARDS TELUS AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS Audience Choice Award Alberta Feature LUCKY STAR, directed by Gillian McKercher Audience Choice Award Canadian Narrative Feature DRIVE BACK HOME, directed by Michael Clowater Audience Choice Award Canadian Documentary Feature SINGING BACK THE BUFFALO, directed by Tasha Hubbard Audience Choice Award New American Cinema Feature BOB TREVINO LIKES IT, directed by Tracie Laymon Audience Choice Award International Narrative Feature MY FAVOURITE CAKE, directed by Maryam Moghaddam & Behtash Sanaeeha Audience Choice Award International Documentary Feature SECRET MALL APARTMENT, directed by Jeremy Workman Audience Choice Award Late Shift Feature DARK MATCH, directed by Lowell Dean Audience Choice Award Music on Screen Feature GODDESS OF SLIDE: THE FORGOTTEN STORY OF ELLEN MCILWAINE, directed by Alfonso Maiorana Audience Choice Award Special Presentations Feature ROAD DIARY: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND, directed by Thom Zimny Audience Choice Award Alberta Short INISKIM - RETURN OF THE BUFFALO, directed by Leanne Allison & Pete Balkwill

Audience Choice Award Narrative Short PALESTINE ISLANDS, directed by Nour Ben Salem & Julien Menanteau Audience Choice Award Animated Short THE SUN IS BAD, directed by Sum Yee Rachel Mow Audience Choice Award Documentary Short A SWIM LESSON, directed by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack

WINNER

25TH ANNIVERSARY AUDIENCE AWARD FOR TOP OVERALL SCORE

25th Anniversary Audience Award for Top Overall Score: THE TRAGICALLY HIP: NO DRESS REHEARSAL, directed by Mike Downie

PRESENTING PARTNER We extend our heartfelt gratitude to connectFirst Credit Union for being the Presenting Sponsor of CIFF for the third consecutive year. Their unwavering support and commitment to the arts have been instrumental in bringing worldclass cinema to our community. Together, we’ve created unforgettable experiences, inspired audiences, and strengthened Calgary’s cultural scene, by championing the power of storytelling and continuing to be an invaluable partner in our journey.

The merger between connectFirst and Servus Credit Unions, creating the secondlargest credit union in Canada, presents an exciting opportunity to continue playing a role in creating a vibrant arts scene in Calgary, and throughout Alberta.

PRESENTING PARTNER “ConnectFirst is proud to have once again been the Presenting Partner of the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF). This is always an exciting event for the city’s arts community and we are honoured to play a role in supporting its success. Thank you to our partners at CIFF for again allowing us to help Calgarians experience the magic of film.”

-Don Norris, Head of Marketing, Connect First & Servus Credit Union

PARTNERS PRESENTING PARTNER connectFirst Credit Union MAJOR PARTNERS Cineplex Calgary Economic Development Tourism Calgary PUBLIC FUNDERS & FOUNDATIONS Telefilm Alberta Foundation for the Arts Calgary Arts Development Calgary Foundation Alberta Film Commission Canada Council for the Arts Government of Canada Government of Alberta Rozsa Foundation City of Calgary AWARD PARTNERS Royal Bank of Canada TELUS originals Directors Guild of Canada NBCUniversal Canada Vancouver Film School Sunbelt Rentals IndigeKin Productions INDUSTRY PARTNERS Royal Bank of Canada Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada Canada Media Fund IATSE Local 212 Bow Valley College ACTRA Alberta

Directors Guild of Canada - Alberta District Council Rocky Mountain Film Studio Creatives Empowered Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Humainologie Canadian Media Producers Association Alberta Media Production Industries Association Prairie Dog Film + Television Canadian Cinema Editors Alberta Post Production Association ICG 669 FILM SECTION PARTNERS SVR Lawyers Orogen Entertainment Jerilyn Wright & Associates Ship & Anchor FESTIVAL PARTNERS Forward Level Cadillac Fairview Calgary Foundation Hopewell PwC Humanis Craig Senyk Initiatives Dept.9 Studios MNP Binder Productions University of Calgary Bishop & McKenzie Stone Olafson Contemporary Calgary

Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel The Plaza Theatre Conway Injury Law Taylor Law Fidelity Manufacturing Group MEDIA PARTNERS CTV Virgin Radio CJAY-92 CBC Calgary The Scene RANGE CJSW Daily Hive Pattison OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS Eventive Wild Life Distillery The Establishment Brewing Company Village Brewery Minas Brazilian Steakhouse MBS Equipment FILM CIRCLE DONORS GOLD: Cody Slater & Bernadette Geronazzo Kelly Hewson Mary Rozsa de Coquet Paul Moore & Susan Swan Therese ‘Tag’ Goulet

SILVER: Catherine Anderson Chris and Sue Mylde Elizabeth Middleton Jil Macdonald Jeff & Louise Gill Josée Duchesne & Trent Meyer Joy Williams & Stafford Gorsalitz Karen Cosenza & Lindsay Horne Kelly Pitaoulis & Zack Laurent Lori Montgomery Lynn Moen & Steve Schroeder Nevena Ivanovic Peter & Terry Wallis Phillip Johnson & Jill MacKenzie Quinton Rafuse & Karin Põldaas Sammi Ha Samantha Beaupré & Michael Dettner-Owens Terry & Becky Rock

OUR PEOPLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Amish Morjaria, President Kristin Anderson, Vice President Sammi Ha, Treasurer-Secretary Zahra Allidina, Director Gurleen Gill, Director Chelsea Hazewinkel, Director Eva Kanovich, Director Jil Macdonald, Director Elizabeth Middleton, Director Kathryn Nyland, Director Kelly Pitaoulis, Director Quinton Rafuse, Director Terry Rock, Director Alan Ross, Director

ARTISTIC, PROGRAMMING & INDUSTRY Brian Owens, Artistic Director Brenda Lieberman, Lead Programmer & Jury Coordinator Adam Keresztes, Programming Administrator & Shorts Programmer Celina Vides, Industry Specialist & Features Programmer Guy Lavallee, Features Programmer Eman Safadi, Shorts Programmer Matt Guerrero, Industry Relations Coordinator Darian Macdonald, Industry Relations & Programming Assistant Alex Guajardo, Intern Kevin Thorn, Intern

STAFF

OPERATIONS Corrie-Ann Cardiff, Operations Manager Rony Yoc, Volunteer Coordinator Barry Johnston, Bingo Coordinator

EXECUTIVE Katherine Penhale, Executive Director Ashley Menzies, Stakeholder & Funder Relations Associate Courtney Smith, Special Events Associate Phillip Johnson, Controller Phyllis Lizacich, Bookkeeper Randi Rhodes, Payroll Administrator Stephen Schroeder, Strategic Advisor

PRODUCTION K Hall, Production Specialist Riley Kelly, Production Specialist Hassan Rizwan, Logistics Coordinator Domenico Daprocida, Logistics Assistant Cole Binder, Binder Productions Marcia Liber, Industry Week Technician Murray Boyer, Film Tester

VENUE Adam Arnold, Venue Coordinator Sabrina Buzzalino, Venue Coordinator Taryn Craig, Venue Coordinator Stefanie Poon, Venue Coordinator Hazel Sayson, Venue Coordinator Sara Turner, Venue Coordinator James Duncan, Venue Coordinator PROJECTION Gabriel Solomon, Projectionist Coordinator Dylan Lindsay, Projectionist Coordinator Phil Jukes, Projectionist Coordinator Natsach Atanda, Projectionist Audrey Badzgon, Projectionist Marnie Dunbar, Projectionist Kayla Erdos, Projectionist David O’Brien, Projectionist Isaac Pollard, Projectionist BOX OFFICE Max Maxwell, Box Office Coordinator Jack Olszewski, Box Office Coordinator Eli Sunga, Cashier Shania Shot Both Sides, Cashier Conrad Belau, Cashier Holly Desimone, Cashier Winnie Hermans-Schouten, Cashier Tayla Mapatac, Cashier Marcus Mueller, Cashier Kirsten Toth, Cashier Ashley Wilson, Cashier

ENGAGEMENT Amanda Mercado, Director of Philanthropy Lucia Juliao, Partnerships Director Jason Do, Engagement Coordinator

MARKETING & ENGAGEMENT Clinton Hallahan, Marketing Manager Gaby Aguilar, Marketing Coordinator Jocelyn Illing, Marketing Assistant Aldona Barutowicz, Publicist Michael Grondin, Lead Photographer Matt McKinney, Content Associate Heather Saitz, Graphic Designer Brian Cairns, Web Developer

IDEA GUIDES Guides work with CIFF to challenge and support us on our journey towards reconciliation, and greater inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA).

We are grateful to this new and growing circle: Jordan Baylon Cheryl Foggo Kevin Littlelight Shivani Saini Sable Sweetgrass

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, CALGARY!