India Film Festival of Alberta
When: Calgary dates from September 12 to 14, 2025
While India’s film industry might be one of the biggest in the world, the India Film Festival of Alberta (IFFA) started in 2015 to showcase the smaller independent filmmakers. This year, IFFA brings nine films telling stories from various regions across India, ranging in genre from action to coming-of-age dramas. Tickets for IFFA range from $15 for a single showing to $60 for a festival pass.
Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., 2025.indiafilmfestival.ca
Calgary International Film Festival
When: September 18 to 28, 2025
As one of Calgary’s biggest film festivals, Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a must for local film buffs. Now in its 26th year, CIFF brings together more than 60 full-length feature films and nearly 100 short films from around the world, from up-and-coming filmmakers to well-known directors.
Multiple venues, ciffcalgary.ca
TMFF Calgary
When: October 16, 2025
TMFF, which stands for Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival, is a travelling film festival making a stop at Calgary’s Plaza Theatre in October. It features a variety of motorcycle-centric short and feature-length films. Presented by Ill-Fated Kustoms, this film festival brings 10 films that capture the motorcycling experience through films about enduro riders recreating the Dakar Rally, chasing land-speed records on the Bonneville salt flats and more. Tickets are available for the whole festival ($65) or for a single screening block ($20).
Plaza Theatre, 1133 Kensington Rd. N.W., motorcyclefilmfest.com
Freshtival Ski Film Fest
When: October 16 to 18, 2025
Freshtival has been bringing the gnarliest ski films to Calgarians since 2003. The festival merges the skiing and art worlds, with seven films showing at Globe Cinema over three days. Check out the latest films chronicling some massive mountain adventures, and meet the filmmakers and athletes.
Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave S.W., freshtival.ca
Calgary Justice Film Festival
When: November 6 to 8, 2025
The Calgary Justice Film Festival (CJFF) showcases a mix of social justice and environmental films. The best part is that CJFF is free to attend, so it’s easy to catch one of these flicks. The festival also features a Peace Market with non-profit organizations.
Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival (GIRAF)
When: November 13 to 16, 2025
Presented by Calgary’s Quickdraw Animation Society, GIRAF showcases independent animation of all kinds from around the world. Keep an eye on the festival’s website for upcoming details about GIRAF 2025’s lineup, schedule and more.
CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival
When: November 19 to 23, 2025
Calgary Underground Film Festival’s sister festival is back for its 13th year and brings a varied mix of full-length and short non-fiction films. The CUFF.Docs lineup for 2025 hasn’t been announced yet, but expect more than 15 full-length screenings, as well as shorts, this year.
Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., calgaryundergroundfilm.org
