At the biggest film festival in Alberta, there's something for everyone. 

With 200+ different short films and features to choose from, it can seem daunting to try to pick out just a few, but here's a handy glossary list of our major sections to get you started. 

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ALBERTA SPOTLIGHT

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 Narrative and documentary films highlighting home-grown Alberta talent.

 

NEW CANADIAN CINEMA

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RBC EMERGING CANADIAN ARTIST COMPETITION
A selection of first and second time feature directors in this section are eligible for a $10,000 prize provided by RBC.

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DOCUMENTARY CINEMA

The finest non-fiction films from around the world.

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CANADIAN DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Films in this section compete for a $5,000 prize, provided by the Directors Guild of Canada.

 

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INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
Gripping and enlightening true stories from around the globe competing for a $1,000 cash prize.

 

CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA

A diverse range of international films showcasing incredible stories, cultures and landscapes.

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INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE COMPETITION 
A selection of captivating narrative films compete for a $1,000 juried cash prize.

 

NEW AMERICAN CINEMA

Diverse and emerging independent voices from the United States, ranging from films hot off the festival circuit to brand-new discoveries. Presented by SVR Lawyers.

 

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Late Shift

Dark. Twisted. Daring. Outrageous.

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Music on Screen

A vibrant celebration of both music and film.

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SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

The most anticipated, not-to-be-missed, most buzzed-about films of the festival circuit – from high-profile projects to celebrities and master directors. These films will pave the way for awards season, legendary status, and blockbuster domination.

 

SHORT FILMS

Short. Sweet. To the point.  Thematically packaged for your convenience. The Grand Jury Prize winner is eligible for Academy Award® consideration. Presented by Jerilyn Wright & Associates.

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