First wave of films revealed for huge Calgary festival next month
Grab the popcorn and don’t forget the butter because a massive film festival is returning to Calgary next month and the first films have been revealed.
Calgary International Film Festival has announced the first wave of films for the 2026 festival, happening from Sept. 24 to Oct. 4.
The critically acclaimed films from around the world include the festival’s Opening Film, premieres, and highly anticipated titles that fans won’t want to miss.
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“This year we are proud to present one of our biggest collections of Canadian Premieres and International Premieres with a mix of documentary, international, and music-related titles,” said Adam Keresztes, CIFF’s Canadian Features and Shorts Programmer, in a release.
“Many of these films are coming fresh off their World Premieres at prestigious festivals like Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca.”
This year’s CIFF features the Opening Night Spotlight+ selection, A Long Winter, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Haigh.
CIFF
The screening of the Alberta-shot feature based on the 2006 short story by Colm Tóibín will be paired with an exclusive Opening Night celebration at The GRAND.
A Long Winter stars Fred Hechinger (Gladiator 2), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear, Fantastic Four), Kit Connor, Caitriona Balfe, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.
“Having A Long Winter as our Day One Spotlight is special not just because it’s from a fantastic arthouse darling director, Andrew Haigh, but it was also filmed around Calgary back in 2025,” explained Keresztes.
“These films are just a taste of what’s to come with our full lineup announcement on Aug. 26 – we can’t wait to share our entire slate with audiences and share all the films we are bringing to Calgary from our own backyard and from around the world.”
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! (CIFF)
Other films that Calgary fans will want to add to their list include the Canadian premiere of The Incomer, directed by Louis Paxton; the Alberta premiere of The Stunt Driver by Canadian director Michael Dowse; the Canadian premiere of Fatherland by Academy Award-winning director Paweł Pawlikowski; and Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!, starring Oscar-nominee Rinko Kikuchi and also making its Alberta premiere.
More information on CIFF 2026 can be found online.
The Stunt Driver (CIFF)
Calgary International Film Festival 2026
When: Sept. 24 to Oct. 4., 2026
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Various prices, including ticket bundles available. Purchase online.
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