The 3rd CALGARY BLACK FILM FESTIVAL Opens with 1960 by King Shaft and Michael Mutombo + 35 Films from Around the Globe
Necessary, Innovative, Strong, Diverse and Bold programming – Amplifying even more Black Voices from May 26 – 29, 2023 In-Person and Online
Full Program & All Access Passes at www.CalgaryBlackFilm.com
Calgary, AB. (May 5, 2023) – After two successful editions, the 3rd Calgary Black Film Festival #CBFF23, is back once again, to amplify the voices of Afro-descendants. Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, CBFF is thrilled to announce the official program and events lineup, running May 26 – 29, 2023. The in-person screenings and events will take place at The Globe Cinema (617 8 Ave SW), The Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Rd NW) and the Calgary Memorial Park Library(1221 2 St SW).
CBFF’s exciting and diverse programming is in-Person, with continued online programming for accessibility across Canada and around the world. Through 40 films and various panels, this hybrid third edition is aimed at the public from all communities as it highlights the talent of creators from diverse backgrounds and makes room for them to reflect on the issues they face. Created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, #CBFF23 is Co-Presented by Global News and supported by Calgary Arts Development, Canada Media Fund,Telefilm Canada, Calgary Public Library and Festwave Institute.
The festival kicks off with a red carpet event happening at the Globe Cinema (617 8 Ave SW, Calgary) on Friday, May 26 at 7PM EST and opens with King Shaft and Michael Mutombo’s 1960. This mystery thriller begins when the remains of an apartheid-era policeman are discovered 60 years after he went missing, and a retired singer revisits her past to help with the investigation. The Film will also be available online during the festival.
At 9 PM. MDT, all films will be accessible online.
The #CBFF23 ALL ACCESS IN PERSON PASS gives access to the entire in-person programming for $59 (+ tx/fees). The ALL ACCESS ONLINE PASS is available for $49 (+tx/fees). Single tickets for regular films are available for $12; Opening Film only for $25 and the NEW VIP Opening Night ticket which includes the opening night film (Priority seating) the (After Party with two complimentary cocktails) and a pair of tickets to one BBIC screening for $100 (+ tx/fees). All can be purchased on the Festival’s website and in person and are subject to taxes & fees.
This year’s highlights include BLACK AS U R, SHEEP’S CLOTHING, COLOR BLIND, KALKIDANE and the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s BEING BLACK IN CANADA short film series. In addition to the films, the CBFF BLACK MARKET – an industry series where renowned industry professionals share real-world experience on today’s most critical filmmaking and social issues – will present an exciting blend of panel discussions.
“What a thrill to be back for a 3rd year in the beautiful city of Calgary, both in-person and online! The Calgary Black Film Festival is spreading inclusion and diversity off and on camera and celebrates the differences that make us unique and the shared values that bring us together. We look forward to amplifying even more Black voices and welcoming everyone looking to discover the world through films while being inspired and entertained in an impactful way.” – says Fabienne Colas, President
and Founder of the Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver Black Film Festivals.
FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Presented by NETFLIX, in collaboration with the National Bank, and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts and various partners. May 27th – The Plaza Theatre 5PM – 10:30PM & ONLINE during the Festival: Tickets on CalgaryBlackFilm.com
30 emerging Black filmmakers from Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver of the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program will present their short films In-Person at CBFF on Saturday, May 27, 2023. These films will also be available online during the duration of the Festival.
The FCF’s Being Black in Canada supported 35 Black Canadian Filmmakers, 18 to 30 years old, in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver in the creation of their first documentary short films (8 to 10 minutes). The filmmakers received professional coaching for each stage of the audiovisual production process and then made a short documentary film under the tutelage of industry professionals. A unique project that ensures inspiring emerging artists from culturally diverse backgrounds.
“Global News is proud to support the Calgary Black Film Festival as co-presenter,” said Carmela Gentile, News Director and Station Manager, Global Calgary. “Our team recognizes the importance of amplifying Black voices and stories in the community and we look forward to sharing in the excitement of such an important event.”
CBFF BLACK MARKET
Presented by Festwave Institute
FREE IN-PERSON and ONLINE! An industry series where both locally and internationally renowned industry professionals, experts, thought leaders, visionaries and like-minded people, will share an exciting blend of cutting-edge thinking and real-world experience on today’s most critical filmmaking issues.
Saturday, May 27, 2023
IN-PERSON DISCUSSIONS: (at the Memorial Park Library, 1221 2nd Street SW, Calgary)
11AM – Finding Your Inner Child – How to Create Content for Young Audiences
12:30PM – How to Keep Your Creative Focus Being a Freelance Artist
2PM – Funding Your Project: Alberta Edition
Sunday, May 28, 2023
ONLINE
1PM – The Task of Finding Your Audience
The third edition of the Calgary Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and co-presented by Global News, runs May 26 – 29, 2023, with the support of Canadian Heritage,
Calgary Arts Development, Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, Festwave Institute and the Calgary Public Library. The Festival is also supported by the Black Film Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa and Vancouver.
For the complete #CBFF23 programming and events, visit www.CalgaryBlackFilm.com
Get Social #CBFF23
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For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Bob Sumner newsbob@parkepr.ca 403-875-4709
Caitlyn Mytopher caitlyn@parkerpr.ca 306-737-5486
About the Calgary Black Film Festival – #CBFF23
The Calgary Black Film Festival (CBFF), a not-for-profit organization created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, is about discovery and Inclusion. CBFF wants to amplify more Black voices and showcase the most relevant Black films from here and abroad while creating a space to debate major cultural, social, and socio-economic issues. 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.
About the Fabienne Colas Foundation
The Fabienne Colas Foundation (FCF) is Canada’s largest Black cultural organization. Created in 2005, the FCF is a not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Cinema, Art and Culture in Canada and abroad. Along with Zaza production, the Fabienne Colas Foundation is also the creator of 12 Festivals, including the highly successful Montreal Black Film Festival, the hugely popular Toronto Black Film Festival, the Halifax Black Film Festival as well as several other successful Festivals in Canada, the USA, Haiti and Brazil. These initiatives/festivals have showcased and supported over 5,000 artists and attracted over 2 million festival-goers. The Foundation is also the creator of the FCF’s Being Black in Canada program, Canada’s largest incubator dedicated to Black Filmmakers and Festwave Institute, created to empower the next generation of Black & underrepresented film & TV professionals.
