Alberta's largest film festival returns with 200+ films next month
Grab the popcorn and don’t forget the butter because one of the largest film festivals in Canada is returning to Calgary next month.
The 2025 Calgary International Film Festival has announced its full CIFF lineup happening from Thursday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 28.
Movie lovers will discover 106 features and 100 short films from around the world in a variety of genres at the festival’s 26th edition. The festival will also include gala screenings, parties and panels, and more.
CIFF
This year’s CIFF features the Centrepiece Gala on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at The Grand, which is the Alberta premiere of The Pitch by Michèle Hozer.
The Canadian documentary takes viewers behind the scenes as Olympic soccer star Diana Matheson and fellow players work to build a professional women’s soccer league in Canada. Joining Matheson in attendance at CIFF on the red carpet is Olympic gold and bronze medallist Christine Sinclair.
Film lovers will also want to get their tickets for the closing night presentation of Cannes Grand Prix winner, Sentimental Value, written and directed by Oscar-nominee Joachim Trier. The highly anticipated film also stars Cannes Award-winning actress Renate Reinsve, Golden Globe winner Stellan SkarsgĂĄrd, and Emmy nominee Elle Fanning.
“We’re so excited to bring these Gala Presentations to The Grand and show off our new projectors,” said Brian Owens, CIFF’s artistic director, in a release. “The Grand is the second venue in Calgary to host a CIFF cinema projector and a key partner in our Constellation project to light up new cinemas in the city.
“The Pitch is such a great portrait of perseverance, and Diana Matheson is truly a hero for what she’s done for Canadian women’s soccer, and Sentimental Value is a surefire player in this year’s awards season. Renate Reinsve and Stellan SkarsgĂĄrd exude such amazing chemistry.”
CIFF
Other films to get excited about include the international premiere of On A String by director-actor Isabel Hagen, After The Hunt from Academy Award–nominated director Luca Guadagnino, starring Oscar winner Julia Roberts, and In Cold Light by Maxime Giroux, starring Maika Monroe and featuring Academy Award–winner Troy Kotsur.
Two other films that you’ll want to add to your schedule include the benefit concert documentary Matter of Time, directed by Matt Finlin and featuring Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, and Grow, directed by John McPhail. The latter is described as a heartwarming film for the whole family that recently had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
“This is one of the strongest lineups in the festival’s history,” said Owens. “With films featuring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Lopez, Rami Malek, Ethan Hawke, Andrew Scott, and the Palme d’Or-winning It Was Just an Accident, there are Academy Award-winning and nominated filmmakers in nearly every section, as well as some delightfully over-the-top horror and comedy films in the After Dark section.
“Hosting the Canadian Premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s After The Hunt is especially thrilling. There is so much to choose from for cinephiles of all stripes.”
Check out the full CIFF 2025 schedule online.
Calgary International Film Festival 2025
When: Thursday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025
Time:Â Various times
Where:Â Various locations
Tickets: Various prices, including ticket bundles available. Purchase online.
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