Lights, camera, action! The University of Calgary will take centre stage at this year's Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF), running Sept. 18 to 28.
Through a partnership that blends sustainability, storytelling and alumni engagement, UCalgary is supporting CIFF as both a cultural celebration and a unique learning opportunity for students, creating experiences that reach far beyond campus.
CIFF as a sustainability learning lab
UCalgary's involvement begins even before a single frame hits the screen. For the first time, the Office of Signature Learning Experiences' (OSLE) Campus as a Learning Lab initiative embedded a student-led research project directly into CIFF operations.
Over a 10-week period, fourth-year natural sciences student Ocean Andersen has been studying CIFF's environmental performance, gathering data and building a baseline ahead of the festival. During the 11-day event, Andersen is continuing that work inside the venues, conducting on-site audits to document sustainability practices and audience behaviour.
The research project emphasizes four key themes:
- waste management
- food-service sustainability
- transportation emissions
- public engagement in sustainable practices
By addressing these areas of focus, Andersen aims to help CIFF build a framework of accountability, ongoing improvement, and commitment to sustainable event management.
The project will provide CIFF with a written report offering tangible strategies to reduce its environmental footprint for future festivals, while giving Andersen real-world experience in sustainability consulting.
In a joint statement, project supervisors Drs. Getachew Assefa, Ian Gates and Marwa Hannouf, all PhD, shared:
"Evaluating the sustainability performance of a major cultural event like CIFF highlights how festivals can take steps to reduce their environmental footprint. The lessons learned through this process strengthen CIFF's own path toward improvement while offering a model that other events in our community can adapt and build upon."
Adapted from the 2019 CIFF-selected short film, this debut feature by Sandra Winther provides an inside look into the lives of families living on the brink of the climate crisis. Photo Credit: CIFF
Climate conversations on the screen
UCalgary's Mobilizing Alberta initiative, led by the Office of Institutional Commitments (OIC) and focused on generating climate change awareness within the province, is sponsoring the CIFF screenings of Lowland Kids. The award-winning documentary explores the impacts of rising sea levels on families in Louisiana.
"We are delighted to sponsor the North American premiere of Lowland Kids," says Alana-Dawn Eirikson, MSW'18, coordinator of sustainability partnerships and events with OIC. "We are hopeful that the documentary will inspire viewers to consider how climate change has impacted, and will continue to impact, our home province and how they can take climate action."
To broaden access to the film, showing Sept. 20 at Contemporary Calgary Dome and Sept. 26 at Scotiabank Theatre Chinook, Mobilizing Alberta is giving away four tickets and providing the first 100 participants with a discount code to Lowland Kids screenings. Winners will be announced on Sept. 18, and you can enter here.
As part of the initiative's efforts to build climate literacy, Mobilizing Alberta is also offering a free e-course to help Albertans prepare for climate change. Learn more about the course.
A love letter to the Saddledome
The festival will host the world premiere of DOME: a short film directed by UCalgary alum Mave Ky, BA'21. The film reflects on the Calgary Flames hockey team and the demolition of their iconic arena, the Saddledome, through the eyes of an immigrant family who settled in Calgary 28 years ago.
"DOME is a love letter to the spirit of hockey and the spirit of immigrants," says Ky. "The intersection of the two is what makes Calgary home to me. The film belongs to be seen in front of a hometown crowd I'm very excited for the premiere."
DOME will be unveiled Sept. 21 at Globe Cinema.
Alumni and student involvement off the screen
UCalgary Alumni is sponsoring a panel discussion during the festival's Industry Week, Hone Your Documentary Pitch, on Sept. 21. The event will feature alum and documentary director Dominique Keller, BSc'00, alongside other filmmakers and producers, and will explore how to craft a compelling story that resonates with funders and potential audiences. Find out more about the session here.
CIFF 2025 will also shine a spotlight on UCalgary's alumni community through an engagement booth at the Scotiabank Theatre Chinook on Sept. 26 from 2 to 5 p.m., offering information about alumni programs and prizes for attendees that stop by and check in.
Similarly, the Faculty of Arts' Department of Communication, Media & Film (CMF) will participate in the CIFF Career Fair on Sept. 27 at Chinook Centre, with an exhibition booth where prospective students can learn more about UCalgary's film-related programs.
As part of the collaboration with CIFF, 24 student industry passes will be provided to CMF students, offering access to industry professionals and networking opportunities to help bridge classroom learning with real-world experience in the film sector.
"This year, we are thrilled to engage and support UCalgary alumni, film studies students and the Mobilizing Alberta team," says Lucia Juliao, CIFF partnerships director. "We are pleased to expand our collaboration with the University of Calgary, and we look forward to continue growing this partnership in the future."
To get tickets to CIFF 2025 and access the full schedule to the event, visit ciffcalgary.ca
The Office of Signature Learning Experiences (OSLE) encourages students to customize their academic journey by participating in experiences in global learning, entrepreneurial thinking, experiential learning, undergraduate research and work-integrated learning. Visit signaturelearning.ucalgary.ca for more.
The Office of Institutional Commitments (OIC) brings together efforts in Community Mental Health & Well-being, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA), and Sustainability under a unified framework. Learn more at Office of Institutional Commitments.
Mobilizing Alberta is a five-year initiative by UCalgary designed to strengthen climate action capacity across the province. Learn more about these efforts here.
The Department of Communication, Media and Film (CMF) supports hands-on learning opportunities and prepares students for diverse careers in media, cultural institutions and graduate studies. Visit arts.ucalgary.ca for more.
The University of Calgary Alumni Association welcomes every graduate as a lifetime member, offering access to mentorship, career-development programs, events, newsletters and exclusive perks. Learn more at UCalgary Alumni.
The Office of Partnerships serves the campus community as well as external community and industry organizations through convening, connecting and facilitating partnerships that deepen our collective impact. Learn more here.
