CALGARY, Alberta — The Calgary Underground Film Festival is set to return for its 11-day run, opening with the supernatural thriller Hokum and closing with the international premiere of Boots Riley's comedy I Love Boosters. Running from April 16 to 26 at the Globe Cinema, the festival promises a diverse lineup of 45 feature films and 35 short films, highlighting genre cinema and unconventional storytelling. According to organizers, the event will feature four locally produced films and nine international premieres, with more than 85 guests—including filmmakers and actors—on hand for post-screening Q&As.
The opening night selection, Hokum, marks the latest from Irish director Damian McCarthy, following his 2024 folk-horror success Oddity. In the film, actor Adam Scott portrays a writer who journeys back to the Irish hotel where his parents honeymooned to scatter their ashes, only to uncover signs that the place might be haunted. Festival officials described it as an acclaimed follow-up that sets a chilling tone for the event's exploration of off-kilter narratives.
Bringing the festival to a close on April 26, I Love Boosters represents Boots Riley's sophomore feature after his 2018 dark comedy Sorry to Bother You, which was a standout at previous Calgary Underground editions. The new film centers on a crew of shoplifters targeting a cutthroat fashion mogul, starring Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie. Riley, known for his hip-hop background and sharp social commentary, delivers what organizers called a bold mix of humor and critique in this international premiere.
Local talent takes center stage with several Alberta-based productions. Calgary director Rino Mioc's Earth to Colby follows a vlogger who stumbles upon mysterious portals in her hometown, blending sci-fi elements with personal discovery. Another Calgary entry, James Buddy Day's documentary NOFX – 40 Years of F–kn’ Up, chronicles the punk-rock band's chaotic history, produced by the group's vocalist and bassist Fat Mike.
Horror enthusiasts will find plenty to appreciate in the Alberta-shot CAMP, which stars local actor Mike Tan and was produced by Calgary's Taylor Nodrick and Michael Peterson. Edmonton's Simon Glassman makes his directorial debut with the horror-comedy Buffet Infinity, promising a fresh take on genre tropes. Additionally, Calgary expat Pony Nicole Herauf steps behind the camera for her first feature, Young Female Playwright, while former Jasper resident Jody Wilson's The Bearded Girl offers a coming-of-age story set against unique personal challenges.
The festival's international premieres add global flair, including American director Raymond Creamer's horror Goody Goody, which delves into unsettling psychological territory. John Wilson's The History of Concrete brings a critically praised comedic documentary angle, detailing the filmmaker's eccentric efforts to pitch a movie about the mundane subject of concrete's past. Matthew Perniciaro's Long Live the State explores the legacy of a 1980s New York comedy troupe, offering insights into underground humor scenes.
Canadian premieres round out the highlights, such as Caleb Phillips' existential horror Imposters, which probes themes of identity and deception. Australian director Natalie Erika James contributes the body-horror Saccharine, known for its visceral effects and narrative intensity. Comedy-horror fans can catch Curry Barker's Obsession, with the director himself attending screenings to discuss his vision.
Kicking off a day early on April 15, the festival honors National Canadian Film Day with a 30th-anniversary screening of Bruce McDonald’s Hard Core Logo, a cult road-trip mockumentary about a punk band reunion. McDonald is expected to join the audience for the event. Complementing this, a 45th-anniversary presentation of the Canadian horror classic My Bloody Valentine will feature director George Mihalka in attendance, revisiting the film's gruesome mining-town tale that has endured as a genre staple.
Beyond the films, the Calgary Underground Film Festival maintains its reputation for interactive and fun programming. On April 18, the beloved Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon Party returns for three hours of retro animation, complete with cereal buffets to evoke nostalgic mornings. This event has become a festival favorite, drawing crowds eager for a lighthearted escape amid the heavier genre fare.
The finale on April 26 will showcase ambitious shorts from the 48-Hour Movie Making Challenge, where participants create complete films in just two days. This segment underscores the festival's commitment to fostering emerging talent and spontaneous creativity, a tradition that has launched numerous careers over the years.
Now in its ongoing annual iteration, the Calgary Underground Film Festival has evolved since its inception as a haven for films that push boundaries, often overlooked by mainstream circuits. According to the event's website, calgaryundergroundfilm.org, tickets are available for individual screenings and passes, with programming designed to appeal to both seasoned cinephiles and newcomers to indie cinema. The Globe Cinema, a historic venue in downtown Calgary, provides an intimate setting that enhances the communal viewing experience.
While the festival focuses primarily on genre and unconventional films, its inclusion of documentaries like the NOFX project and The History of Concrete broadens its scope, blending entertainment with cultural reflection. Organizers noted that the lineup reflects a post-pandemic surge in independent production, with international premieres signaling growing interest from global filmmakers in Canadian audiences.
Attendance at past festivals has hovered around several thousand, with Q&As offering rare access to creators. For instance, Boots Riley's previous film Sorry to Bother You generated buzz here for its satirical edge, and expectations are high for I Love Boosters to continue that legacy. Local filmmakers like Mioc and Day expressed enthusiasm in promotional materials about showcasing Alberta stories on this platform.
As Calgary's cultural scene rebounds, events like this festival play a key role in supporting the arts economy. With snowfall recently causing road disruptions in the city, as reported by local outlets, indoor attractions such as CUFF provide timely diversions. The festival's timing in mid-April aligns with spring's arrival, potentially drawing visitors from across Western Canada.
Looking ahead, the Calgary Underground Film Festival not only celebrates cinema's fringes but also hints at emerging trends, from portal fantasies in Earth to Colby to the shoplifting satire of I Love Boosters. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit calgaryundergroundfilm.org. As the event unfolds, it promises to reaffirm Calgary's status as a hub for bold, unconventional filmmaking.