About The Festival
The Calgary Black Film Festival is dedicated to giving unique voices in cinema the opportunity to present audiences with new ways of looking at the world. CBFF’s ambition is to encourage the development of the independent film industry and to promote more films on the reality of Black people from around the Globe.
22-26 May 2026 Calgary, CA
Festival Schedule
Opening Film : Fight Like a Girl
A young Congolese woman forced to work in an illegal mineral mine, escapes her captors and finds a new life for herself after joining a renowned […]
CBFF 5th Edition Live Music: Opening Night After Party by Robson Maurice & The Key 30 Orchestra
Join us for the exciting launch of the Calgary Black Film Festival’s 5th Edition with a vibrant After Party! Setting the tone for the night is […]
WORKSHOP - Exploring Animation As Another Tool for Filmmaking
Dive into the captivating world of animation in this hands-on workshop designed to empower participants to tell their own stories through this dynamic […]
Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series
Join us as we feature a diverse lineup of directors, producers, writers, and industry innovators who share their journeys, insights, and the challenges […]
Is Enough Being Done to Boost Representation in the Entertainment Industry
Array Crew, an initiative created by Ava DuVernay to help boost representation in below-the-line roles in Canada and the U.S, is an important initiative […]
Narrative Short Series
Snake
When a 10-year-old farm girl gets trapped in the lies of a sinister stranger, she must fight with the truth to save her family.
Legacy: The De-Colonized History Of South Africa
An exploration into South Africa, featuring, in unprecedented access, the grandson of the “Architect of Apartheid”, who takes an honest look into […]
Narrative Short Series
WORKSHOP: The Self-Tape Advantage Sharpen Your At Home Auditions
In the ever-evolving casting landscape, self-tapes have become an essential tool for actors to showcase their talents without the constraints of […]
Snake
When a 10-year-old farm girl gets trapped in the lies of a sinister stranger, she must fight with the truth to save her family.
Village keeper
After life’s precarious scale tips her fortune back into poverty, Jean relocates her children with their grandmother to the community housing project […]
Legacy: The De-Colonized History Of South Africa
An exploration into South Africa, featuring, in unprecedented access, the grandson of the “Architect of Apartheid”, who takes an honest look into […]
Fight Like a Girl
A young Congolese woman forced to work in an illegal mineral mine, escapes her captors and finds a new life for herself after joining a renowned […]
Simply Johanne / Johanne: Tout Simplement
A contemporary tribute to trailblazer Johanne Harrelle: artist, actress and one of North America’s first Black models.
The Hearing / L'Audience
L’audience (The Hearing) delves in the daily life of the Nkunga Mbala family over one year, as they go through the complex legal maze of claiming […]
The Athlete / L’Athlète
Equal parts family saga, sports film and intimate portrait, The Athlete offers a unique window into the story of Stevens Dorcelus.
Narrative Short Series
Snake
When a 10-year-old farm girl gets trapped in the lies of a sinister stranger, she must fight with the truth to save her family.
Village keeper
After life’s precarious scale tips her fortune back into poverty, Jean relocates her children with their grandmother to the community housing project […]
Legacy: The De-Colonized History Of South Africa
An exploration into South Africa, featuring, in unprecedented access, the grandson of the “Architect of Apartheid”, who takes an honest look into […]
Fight Like a Girl
A young Congolese woman forced to work in an illegal mineral mine, escapes her captors and finds a new life for herself after joining a renowned […]
Simply Johanne / Johanne: Tout Simplement
A contemporary tribute to trailblazer Johanne Harrelle: artist, actress and one of North America’s first Black models.
The Hearing / L'Audience
L’audience (The Hearing) delves in the daily life of the Nkunga Mbala family over one year, as they go through the complex legal maze of claiming […]
The Athlete / L’Athlète
Equal parts family saga, sports film and intimate portrait, The Athlete offers a unique window into the story of Stevens Dorcelus.
Narrative Short Series
Snake
When a 10-year-old farm girl gets trapped in the lies of a sinister stranger, she must fight with the truth to save her family.
Village keeper
After life’s precarious scale tips her fortune back into poverty, Jean relocates her children with their grandmother to the community housing project […]
Legacy: The De-Colonized History Of South Africa
An exploration into South Africa, featuring, in unprecedented access, the grandson of the “Architect of Apartheid”, who takes an honest look into […]
Fight Like a Girl
A young Congolese woman forced to work in an illegal mineral mine, escapes her captors and finds a new life for herself after joining a renowned […]
Simply Johanne / Johanne: Tout Simplement
A contemporary tribute to trailblazer Johanne Harrelle: artist, actress and one of North America’s first Black models.
The Hearing / L'Audience
L’audience (The Hearing) delves in the daily life of the Nkunga Mbala family over one year, as they go through the complex legal maze of claiming […]
The Athlete / L’Athlète
Equal parts family saga, sports film and intimate portrait, The Athlete offers a unique window into the story of Stevens Dorcelus.
Black Market
WORKSHOP: The Self-Tape Advantage Sharpen Your At Home Auditions (FREE ONLINE)
Description In the ever-evolving casting landscape, self-tapes have become an essential tool for actors to showcase their talents without the constraints of [...]
Join Now
Is Enough Being Done to Boost Representation in the Entertainment Industry (FREE IN PERSON)
Description Array Crew, an initiative created by Ava DuVernay to help boost representation in below-the-line roles in Canada and the U.S, is [...]
Join Now
Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series (FREE IN PERSON)
Description Join us as we feature a diverse lineup of directors, producers, writers, and industry innovators who share their journeys, insights, and [...]
Join Now
WORKSHOP – Exploring Animation As Another Tool for Filmmaking (FREE IN PERSON)
Description Dive into the captivating world of animation in this hands-on workshop designed to empower participants to tell their own stories through [...]
Join Now
Being Black In Canada
Black in School (HLX) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline A young Black girl navigates high school while dealing with the death of her father, moving to a new [...]
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Mikerlande: L’Exil de la Mémoire du Griot (MTL) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline Exiled after Haiti’s political struggles of the 90s, Mikerlande—a former activist and now entrepreneur—rekindles memories of resilience and commitment. [...]
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Relentless Hurdles / Resilient Hearts (HLX) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline A compassionate Black immigrant physician shares his personal experience of systemic barriers and resilience required to overcome racial disparities [...]
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Double Combat (MTL) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline This short documentary delves into the last week of training camp for Jean Pascal, ex-light heavyweight world champion at [...]
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Under Pressure (HLX) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline “Under Pressure” examines the unique struggles of African Nova Scotian men through the perspective of Dennis Adams Jr., a [...]
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Strike The Iron / Battre le Fer (MTL) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline After immersing himself in the street life, Racci finds redemption through his passion for sports, which he shares with [...]
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Self Actualization (VANC) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline Being mixed-race can be challenging, navigating the world often feels complicated. Aesha shares her journey from childhood to adulthood. [...]
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Away From Home (TOR) (Online Only)
Co-presented by Storyline Determined to protect international students from escalating vulnerabilities in Canada—a country that once “embraced” them—an award-winning global leader, formerly [...]
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