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 2 the first year of a new era for CIFF, reimagining what and where a 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 a vely bonding opportunity for my mum got into SAIT for film and video prod - Generatio
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 contributes to the vibrancy of our city centre
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
BY THE NUMBERS
Attendance
INDUSTRY
Your support makes Industry Week at CIFF one of the most important gatherings 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 gift gives local stories an international stage
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
Creative Acclaim
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.
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