The 5th annual Calgary Black Film Festival opens with FIGHT LIKE A GIRL
The 5th annual Calgary Black Film Festival opens with FIGHT LIKE A GIRL, Executive Produced by Serge Ibaka (former NBA Toronto Raptors center) and directed by Mathew Leutwyler.
Featuring 35 Films from Around the World. Dynamic, Bold, and Inclusive Programming Amplifying Black Voices and Perspectives — Inspiring the Next Generation of Artists in Film and Beyond
May 23–27, 2025 | In-Person & Online
Full Program & All Access Passes at www.CalgaryBlackFilm.com
Calgary, AB – April 29, 2025 – Back for its landmark 5th edition, the Calgary Black Film Festival (CBFF), created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and co-presented by Global Calgary, proudly announces its official lineup and programming for 2025. Taking place May 23 to 27, this hybrid festival will host in-person screenings at The Globe Cinema (617 8 Ave SW) and the Calgary Memorial Park Library (1221 2 St SW), with online screenings available Canada-wide.
#CBFF25 recognizes the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Calgary Arts Development, Government of Alberta, Telefilm Canada, Zaza Production, Calgary Public Library and the Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Festwave Institute. The Festival is also supported by the Foundation’s Black Film Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa and Vancouver.
This special edition will showcase 30 impactful films, engaging panels, insightful workshops, and thought-provoking discussions, bringing communities together to celebrate diverse talent and reflect on the experiences and challenges of Black creators.
“As we proudly celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Calgary Black Film Festival, we remain deeply committed to spreading diversity and inclusion, both on and off the screen. This milestone reminds us that we are not just creating awareness; we are taking real action. Action to amplify Black voices. Action to open doors. Action to bring communities together through the transformative power of cinema. We honour the differences that make us unique and embrace the shared values that unite us.” – said Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver Black Film Festivals.
The Opening Night Gala takes place Friday, May 23, at 7 PM MST at the Globe Cinema, featuring the Alberta premiere of Fight Like a Girl, executive produced by former NBA Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka, directed by Matthew Leutwyler, and produced by Anton Laines. The film stars Ama Qamata and is based on a true story. Fight Like a Girl highlights resilience, strength, and the fight for freedom.
Then, at 7:30 p.m. EST, the festival expands beyond the in-person celebration as all films become available online.
Additional programming, including the must-see Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada series,
May 24 – Calgary Memorial Park Library
The Black Market returns IN PERSON and ONLINE! Join us for an exciting blend of progressive and innovative FREE panel discussions and workshops with renowned industry professionals. Gain insights into critical filmmaking and societal issues, alongside community panel discussions aimed at dissecting important challenges affecting our Black community.
IN-PERSON DISCUSSIONS and WORKSHOPS / 12PM – 5PM
- Workshop – Exploring Animation as Another Tool for Filmmaking
- Spotlight Stories: Film Industry Q&A Series Featuring Cheryl Foggo
- Is Enough Being done to Boost Representation in the Entertainment Industry?
May 25 on FACEBOOK 2PM
- Workshop – The Self-Tape Advantage: Sharpen Your At-Home Auditions
FABIENNE COLAS FOUNDATION’S BEING BLACK IN CANADA
Online Only
Part of Festwave Institute, presented by NETFLIX in collaboration with the National Bank and supported by Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and other partners, proudly presents its 2024 cohort.
The FCF’s Being Black in Canada supported 30 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
A few #CFF25’s highlights are: Gripping narrative features such as Snake and Village Keeper, the powerful documentary Legacy: The De-Colonized History of South Africa, and a standout selection of narrative short films such as The Distance Between Us (Qu’importe la distance), Nola, Remote Paradise, Dreams Like Paper Boats (Des rêves en bateaux papiers), and more.
The #CBFF25 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 VIP OPENING NIGHT TICKET, which gives access to all films, red carpet, priority seating and the afterparty, $100 (+tx/fees). All can be purchased on the Festival’s website and in person during the Festival (prices are subject to taxes & fees).
For the complete #CBFF25 programming and events, visit https://calgaryblackfilm.com/
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
- Ellen Parker | Email: ellen@parkepr.ca | Phone: 403-919-9452
- Nikita Nayak | Email: nikita@parkerpr.ca | Phone: 778-751-4510
About the Calgary Black Film Festival – #CBFF25
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 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 aspires to fuel the growth and encourage the development of the independent film sector and advocate for more films depicting the realities of Black people worldwide
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.
