Calgary International Film Festival Diversity and Inclusiveness Policy

Background

The Calgary International Film Festival is a not-for-profit cultural organization that entertains and engages audiences by curating the most innovate and compelling films and creating remarkable festival experiences. To achieve that goal, the festival recognizes the value that diversity and inclusion bring to the operations of the organization and, as one of the leading film festivals in Canada, recognizes its obligation to champion diversity and inclusion through the content the festival brings to the community.

Definitions

Diversity – the representation of a wide range of human qualities and attributes. Diversity includes such factors as age, sex, race, ethnicity, physical and intellectual ability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, educational background and expertise.

Inclusion – a state of valuing, welcoming, appreciating and harnessing our unique differences in a way that shows respect for the individual and value for their contributions, and ultimately creates a dynamic, multi-dimensional organization.

Policy

As an organization that champions innovation, creativity and community engagement, diversity and inclusion are fundamental values of the Calgary International Film Festival. The festival recognizes that diversity and inclusion broaden our opportunity to select the best talent for our operations and our board, and create opportunities to engage wider audiences that reflect the community.

The festival is committed to ensuring a diverse, inclusive workplace and festival experience that allows all individuals the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The festival also recognizes the diverse nature of our community and is committed to providing opportunities to reflect that wealth of diversity in the festival experience and to providing festival content that helps foster respect and understanding. 

The festival strives to ensure its planning, policy and programs reflect this commitment to diversity and inclusion. We also ask all festival patrons to respect the spirit of this policy to help us make the festival a safe and welcoming experience for all.