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 : Pasa Faho
A struggling shoe salesman and his 12 year old son must rekindle their estranged identities or risk losing everything.
THE DIGITAL HANDSHAKE: Why a Great Headshot Matters (In Person & Online)
Join photographer Fred Smith for an essential session on mastering your professional image. This workshop explores how wardrobe, makeup, posing, and professional lighting work together to create a strong, industry-ready headshot. Gain insight into how to show up confidently in front of the camera and ensure your image reflects your range, professionalism, and presence.
Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series with Award-winning filmmaker Nico Abote
Join award-winning filmmaker Nico Abote for an exclusive screening of his short film, Weight, followed by an in-depth conversation exploring his 22-year career and creative process…
Narrative Short Film Series
WORKSHOP - Funding Your Vision with Nick Haywood
Join Nick Haywood for a practical workshop on accessing funding for film and video projects. Learn how to identify the right grants, strengthen your application, and improve your chances of success.
Of Mud And Blood
Of Blood and Mud documents the everyday existence of the inhabitants of the coltan mining village of Numbi in the Congo DRC, revealing the hardships and trials of a story from which we must not look away.
CBFF 2026 Being Black in Canada (In Theatre)
From Script to Screen: Discussion with Being Black in Canada 2025 cohort filmmaker Mary Yohannes Getaneh
Emerging Filmmaker screenings + Q&A with Calgary filmmaker Mary Yohannes Getaneh, discussing her creative vision, technical process, and the unique experience of bringing her story to life as part of this year’s cohort.
Muganga, celui qui soigne (Muganga: The One Who Treats)
In Congo, Dr. Denis Mukwege, futur Nobel Peace Prize, risks his life to heal survivors of sexual violence.
Narrative Short Film Series
Muganga, celui qui soigne (Muganga: The One Who Treats)
In Congo, Dr. Denis Mukwege, futur Nobel Peace Prize, risks his life to heal survivors of sexual violence.
Pasa Faho
A struggling shoe salesman and his 12 year old son must rekindle their estranged identities or risk losing everything.
CBFF 2026 Being Black in Canada
Canadian Spotlight
Narrative Short Film Series
Muganga, celui qui soigne (Muganga: The One Who Treats)
In Congo, Dr. Denis Mukwege, futur Nobel Peace Prize, risks his life to heal survivors of sexual violence.
Pasa Faho
A struggling shoe salesman and his 12 year old son must rekindle their estranged identities or risk losing everything.
CBFF 2026 Being Black in Canada
Canadian Spotlight
Narrative Short Film Series
Muganga, celui qui soigne (Muganga: The One Who Treats)
In Congo, Dr. Denis Mukwege, futur Nobel Peace Prize, risks his life to heal survivors of sexual violence.
Pasa Faho
A struggling shoe salesman and his 12 year old son must rekindle their estranged identities or risk losing everything.
CBFF 2026 Being Black in Canada
Canadian Spotlight
Black Market
From Script to Screen: Q&A with Being Black in Canada 2025 cohort filmmaker Mary Yohannes Getaneh
Description From Script to Screen: Being Black in Canada 2025 cohort – Emerging Filmmaker screenings + Q&A with Calgary filmmaker Mary Yohannes [...]
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WORKSHOP – Funding Your Vision with Nick Haywood – Arts Development Consultant, Film and Video Alberta Foundation for the Arts,
Description Join Nick Haywood Arts Development Consultant for a practical workshop on accessing funding for film and video projects. Learn how to [...]
Join Now
Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series with Award-winning filmmaker Nico Abote
Description Join award-winning filmmaker Nico Abote for an exclusive screening of his short film, Weight, followed by an in-depth conversation exploring his [...]
Join Now
THE DIGITAL HANDSHAKE: Why a Great Headshot Matters (In Person & Online)
A Headshot is more than just a photo—it is your introduction, your brand, and a key part of your professional identity.
Being Black In Canada
Porridge with love (In Theatre & Online)
In Ethiopia and Eritrea, women gather to prepare genfo (traditional porridge) to bless expectant mothers. For 40 days after birth, the community cooks, cleans, and cares for mother and baby. Adanech Sahilie continues this tradition in Calgary, supporting pregnant newcomers through her program, Porridge with Love, with nourishment, dignity, and community care.
Japa (In Theatre & Online)
Co-presented by Storyline When two young Nigerians leave home to settle in Toronto, Canada, hoping to build a better life, they face [...]
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Rhino: Diary of a Krumper (In Theatre & Online)
Co-presented by Storyline “Rhino” traces a Black man’s journey through Krump as he moves between vulnerability and strength in his Toronto hometown. [...]
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Streetnames (In Theatre & Online)
“Streetnames” explores how naming shapes memory and power in Toronto. Centered on the transformation of Yonge-Dundas Square into Sankofa Square, the film reflects on how public space reveals whose histories are preserved, contested, or forgotten.
Kings to Strangers: The Climb Back (In Theatre & Online)
Co-presented by Storyline “Kings to Strangers: The Climb Back” follows immigrants in Canada as they navigate loss of status, identity, and certainty. [...]
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Straight Out of Africa (In Theatre & Online)
Co-presented by Storyline When a young African woman lands in Toronto, she expects only to be seen as Black. What she doesn’t [...]
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My True Love’s Skin (In Theatre & Online)
Co-presented by Storyline A documentary connecting diverse experiences of Canadian Black women, bringing intimate conversations about identity, social issues, and the complexities [...]
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Taking Up Space (In Theatre & Online)
Co-presented by Storyline Up-and-coming improvisers Alex, Frankie and Felix form a BPOC (Black and People of Colour) comedy group called the "Diversity [...]
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