There’s plenty to watch out for at this year’s Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF). If you haven’t already heard the news, Bif Naked will be making a red carpet appearance.
But a Bif celebrity sighting at CIFF won’t be the only exciting thing happening at Alberta’s favourite film fest. With the province premiere of The Pitch by Canadian director Michèle Hozer, and closing out the festival with this year’s Cannes Gran Prix prize winner Sentimental Value, there’s something for everyone to enjoy both on and off the red carpet.
Red carpet guests
Olympic soccer star Diana Matheson will hit the CIFF red carpet alongside retired Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair. They’ll be making an appearance to help promote The Pitch, a documentary directed by Michèle Hozer that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Matheson and fellow players as they set out to build the first women’s professional soccer league in Canada.
“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,” says Brian Owens, artistic director at CIFF.
Winnipeg’s Bif Naked will also walk the CIFF red carpet this year to promote the screening of her documentary, Bif Naked, a raw and unfiltered look into the life of this iconic musician. Tickets to the Spotlight+ screening of the doc will also include access to the day one afterparty. You can also stay after the film screening on Sept. 18 for a live Q&A and acoustic session with Bif and guitarist Peter Karroll.
Director John McPhail will also be flying into Calgary from Scotland to promote his film Grow, which will have its Alberta premiere at CIFF. The film was produced by Calgary-based production company Orogen Entertainment and recently premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
One of the strongest lineups in CIFF history
There’s plenty of star-studded films hitting the big screen at CIFF this year, with flicks featuring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Lopez, Rami Malek, Ethan Hawke, and Andrew Scott.
Including the Palme d’Or-winning It Was Just An Accident, there are Academy Award-winning and nominated filmmakers in nearly every section at this year’s CIFF.
Artistic Director Brian Owens says there’s something for “cinephiles of all stripes,” from delightfully over-the-top horror to After Dark comedy films.
CIFF will also host the Canadian premiere of After the Hunt, a psychological thriller by Italian director Luca Guadagnino starring Julia Roberts.
In Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon, Ethan Hawke will confront his shattered self-confidence as his former creative collaborator celebrates the opening night of a hit musical.
Rebecca Zlotowski’s A Private Life will star Jodie Foster as a renowned psychiatrist who learns that one of her patients has taken her own life.
There’s truly something for everyone at this year’s CIFF. From future Academy Award winners to indie shorts, we can’t wait to see it all! You can browse the full film lineup here to get prepared.
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