CIFF 2024 Impact Report

CIFF 2024:

IMPACT REPORT

Prepared for CIFF Donors Prepared by CIFF Team

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Katherine Penhale This year we hosted a historic festival that not only celebrated a 25 year legacy but marked the first year of a new era for CIFF, reimagining what and where a film festival can be through our new Constellation model. We could only do that because of you.

CIFF is not just a job to me—it’s a community of donors, staff, volunteers and stakeholders who I’ve had the opportunity to grow with and learn from over the last eight years. What I have learned is that, at our core, we all share a profound passion for supporting a thriving cultural landscape in Calgary, showcasing diverse voices, and building a community around film. To act as a steward for an organization with such engaged and committed donors is an honour.

Your generous contributions, feedback, and shared values allow us to stay committed to that work. This report highlights the impact of your donations this year. Together, we’re bringing captivating stories to the big screen and reinforcing our commitment to engaging audiences and supporting filmmakers. Your belief in our mission empowers us to continue celebrating the power of storytelling, right here in Calgary.

Thank you for being an essential part of our journey so far and such enthusiastic champions of the exciting years ahead. We look forward to sharing the many ways your support is making a difference!

With gratitude,

Katherine Penhale

THANK YOU

Your support is at the heart of our belief in the transformative power of storytelling. Through film, we celebrate shared experiences and create meaningful connections within our community.

Thanks to your generosity, CIFF has become a leader in Western Canada, nurturing a vibrant local filmmaking culture, promoting volunteerism, encouraging youth education, and amplifying diverse stories and perspectives. Together, we are making a profound impact in the world of film.

IMPACT

Thank you so much for gifting me the Generation Next pass. It greatly impacted my month and truly inspired me! I don't think I've ever seen so many films in a week and I LOVED almost every one. I really had an incredible time, it was a lovely bonding opportunity for my mum and I. P.S. Just found out I got into SAIT for film and video production!

- Generation Next Student

YOUTH Your donation supports youth learning.

Our youth programs, Generation Next and the Youth by Youth Canada Award, have reached thousands of students. Generation Next offers young people full festival passes, granting access to industry panels, keynote speeches, and all films throughout the 11-day event. This unique experience enables students to network with both local and visiting filmmakers, discover films from around the world, and gain valuable insights into potential career opportunities within the film industry.

DOWNTOWN VITALITY

Your support makes Industry Week

CIFF one of the most important INDUSTRY atgatherings of screen media creators in Western Canada.

With nearly 1,078 participants in 2024, this program is more essential than ever to the growth of our local film industry. It acts as an opportunity to expose local professionals to national and international contacts, supercharging our industry's networking capabilities and incubating conversations critical to the ongoing growth of our film economy.

ALBERTA CONTENT

Your support contributes to the vibrancy of our city centre.

Your gift gives local stories an international stage.

The festival activates both traditional Cineplexes and historic theatres, turning downtown into a vibrant celebration. CIFF extends beyond the theatre with installations and experiences throughout the city—tthis year featuring a curling rink, free outdoor screenings, and life-size puppets. In 2025, we're aiming to amplify downtown excitement with even more innovative experiences.

CIFF is the leading public-facing champion for the screen industry in Treaty 7 territory and all of Alberta, with Alberta films accounting for nearly 20% of the program overall.

Through our Alberta Spotlight film series, which includes feature films, short films, and other forms of screen-based entertainment, we are meeting the need to highlight the industry’s accomplishments for local audiences and creating opportunities for filmmakers to be recognized on an international stage.

BY THE NUMBERS Creative Acclaim

Attendance This includes streaming attendance, and our in person attendance

2024 30,751 attendees 2023 27,925 attendees 2022 27,445 attendees

Our programming has a reputation for excellence and innovation, both locally and internationally.

Oscar®-qualifying festival for short films, a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying festival, and was named one of "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in 2009, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023 by the prestigious MovieMaker Magazine.

2021 27,228 attendees IN 2024

Inclusivity Our film lineup featured

106

films from women directors

4,305 film submissions

71 13 21

IBPOC filmmakers represented Indigenous filmmakers represented IBPOC filmmakers represented

from 109 countries At the 2024 Oscars®, nine films CIFF programmed garnered 15 nominations, and four wins. Thanks to our festival, Calgary got to see them months ahead of the general public.

117 filmmakers from around the world 42 industry week speakers

91 Canadian Films 102 Feature Films 111 Sponsoring Partners 10 World Premieres