CUFF 2026 Film Festival Programming Details
The Calgary Underground Film Festival is back, and this year’s lineup for the CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival promises to be a truly mind-bending journey through Canadian history and current political landscapes. Running from November 18 to 22 at the Globe Cinema, this 14th edition is set to screen a robust selection of films designed to challenge conventional views and spark vital conversations.
The festival is not just a showcase of cinema; it’s a platform for filmmakers who believe that the documentary form has the power to redefine our understanding of the world. As the festival lead programmer Brennan Tilley notes, the event champions films that push the boundaries of storytelling through inventive narratives and unconventional subjects. This commitment to alternative perspectives ensures that audiences are invited to grapple with complex issues, from historical shifts to modern political divisions.
Kicking off the festivities on November 18, the event will feature a special artist talk with Canadian director Matthew Rankin. Rankin’s work offers a uniquely irreverent lens, examining how a turning point in Canadian political history can be viewed as a hallucinatory vision of our present. His film, Ladies and Gentleman, Brian Mulroney, serves as the perfect entry point, highlighting how documentaries can challenge our perspectives on the past and present.
Beyond the main feature selections, the festival offers a rich tapestry of Canadian documentary work, including films such as Captain Newfoundland, More Miles than Money: The Story of Jr. Gone Wild, Starry Night, and Turtle Island Rap. These selections, alongside a lineup of shorts like Concrete Nature, Scooter Boy, and Find Your Pack, demonstrate the incredible diversity and boldness of Canadian independent filmmaking.
Adding another layer of excitement is the return of CATVIDEOFEST, which will also be part of the lineup. Returning for its fourth year, this segment will feature 75 minutes of newly curated cat videos. To ensure the festival supports those in need, ten percent of all ticket sales will benefit the Meow Foundation, providing essential support for pets in need.
The success of films that delve into complex subjects, such as You Can See Everything and The History of Concrete, underscores the passionate appetite for documentaries that dare to ask big questions. The CUFF.Docs festival remains a crucial space for connecting bold filmmakers with engaged audiences, proving that cinema is a powerful tool for fostering dialogue about the world around us.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the intersection of art, history, and critical thought. Tickets are available now, and the full schedule can be found on the Calgary Underground Film Festival’s official website.
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