The Calgary Black Film Festival is set to return later this month, celebrating international Black excellence in film with more than 30 films and programming events from May 23 to 27.
The festival’s opening film, Fight Like a Girl, was filmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and features a woman who escapes working in an illegal diamond mine and finds herself in an all-women boxing club in the border city of Goma.
That film stars Ama Qamata (Netflix’s Blood and Water) and was produced by former Toronto Raptors player Serge Ibaka, and will be shown at the Globe Cinema on May 23.
Other programming includes the Being Black in Canada series, which features Black documentary filmmakers between 18 and 30 who made their first short documentary film.
“As we proudly celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Calgary Black Film Festival, we remain deeply committed to spreading diversity and inclusion, both on and off the screen. This milestone reminds us that we are not just creating awareness; we are taking real action,” said Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of the Calgary Black Film Festival, in a prepared media release.
“Action to amplify Black voices. Action to open doors. Action to bring communities together through the transformative power of cinema. We honour the differences that make us unique and embrace the shared values that unite us.”
The festival will also be promoting industry connections through a trio of talks and workshops discussing the use of animation in filming, a spotlight talk on Calgary filmmaker Cheryl Foggo, and a talk on boosting Black representation in the entertainment industry.
The festival takes place in person at the Globe Cinema and at the Central Memorial Park Library, and online. Tickets are available at calgaryblackfilm.com.
