Posted on September 6, 2019

FURTHER FILMS AND EVENTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

 

ALBERTAN PREMIERES:

ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND

Announced for Centrepiece Gala

 

Closing Gala adds Eddie Murphy’s DOLEMITE IS MY NAME

 

BEHIND THE SCREEN:

‘IN CONVERSATION WITH’ Award Winning Director & Producer Jason Reitman

 

Q&A Guests Confirmed Including Don Mckeller, François Girard, Semi Chellas, Atom Egoyan Plus Many More…

 

Calgary, ALTA (September 6, 2019) Following last night’s successful Trailer Party, the Calgary International Film Festival is excited to announce additional films and events that will take place for its 20th Anniversary edition. From the announcement of the new Centrepiece Gala film, second Closing Gala screening, the return of Behind the Screen (BTS) plus Q&A guests confirmed, there are less than two weeks to plan your festival experience, book your tickets and embark on a cinematic exploration of films from over 54 countries. 

 

The new Centrepiece Gala taking place at Studio Bell - National Music Centre will play host to the Alberta Premiere of ONCE WERE BROTHERS: ROBBIE ROBERTSON AND THE BAND. Director Daniel Roher and Executive Producers Martin Scorsese, Brian Glazer and Ron Howard team up to bring this career-spanning documentary about Canada's own Robbie Robertson. From his early days in Toronto and the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve, to his time backing up Bob Dylan, to the formation of The Band. This highly anticipated screening will be the Festival's first Centrepiece Gala event taking place on Wednesday, September 25 with a pre-reception at 5:30pm and kicks off the Music on Screen Series. 

 

Eddie Murphy returns to the big screen with the highly anticipated Netflix film DOLEMITE IS MY NAME. The second film announced to play CIFF’s Closing Gala, the film follows the tale of stand-up comedian Rudy Ray Moore who creates a pimp character named Dolemite and his efforts to bring his character to the big screen. Eddie Murphy leads an all-star cast that includes Wesley Snipes, Chris Rock, Keegan Michael Key, Craig Robinson, Mike Epps and Codi Smit-McPhee in what promises to be one of the most entertaining biopics in ages. DOLEMITE IS MY NAME screens as an Albertan Premiere on Saturday September 28 at Globe Cinema at 7pm. DOLEMITE IS MY NAME joins GUEST OF HONOUR as co-Closing Gala films ahead of our 20th Anniversary Block Party on 8th Ave with favourites Paper St, Junction Stage + Bar, The Derrick, and State & Main providing music, special pop-ups, and industry guests in attendance. 

CIFF is thrilled to announce the return of Behind The Screen (BTS), the series that connects local fans and the people who make the movies they love, with an exclusive event with award winning Canadian Writer/Director Jason Reitman. Best known for his films including JUNO, UP IN THE AIR, YOUNG ADULT and TULLY, Jason is currently in Calgary filming the latest installment of the GHOSTBUSTERS franchise. IN CONVERSATION WITH JASON REITMAN will be a chance for fans to connect with the director and hear about his career. The BTS event will be held on the first Saturday of the festival, September 21, at Cineplex Eau Claire at 5:30pm and will be hosted by CTV’s Tara Nelson. If that isn’t enough, all ticket-holders for IN CONVERSATION WITH JASON REITMAN will receive complimentary entry to the screening of his film UP IN THE AIR which plays earlier the same day at 3pm. UP IN THE AIR starring George Clooney tells the story of a firing consultant who lives seamlessly untethered between airports and hotels as he navigates the possibility of a human connection. The comedic drama serves to question the purpose of family, commitment, and marriage. It was nominated for six Academy Awards including best picture.

 

In celebration of CIFF’s 20th Anniversary, Canadian actor Don McKellar will attend the special screening of WAYDOWNTOWN, alongside Gary Burns on Thursday September 19 at Globe Cinema. The night before, and kicking off the festival at the Opening Gala, director Francois Girard plus others will be in attendance the much-anticipated screening of THE SONG OF NAMES. Calgary native Semi Chellas will host a Q&A at the screening of her film AMERICAN WOMAN; while director Atom Egoyan will round out the festival attending the Closing Gala screening of GUEST OF HONOUR. With a host of other Q&A guests now confirmed for CIFF20, make sure to check out the CIFF website and filter ‘Guests In Attendance to see more. www.calgaryfilm.com

 

Other films announced today include ADAM from Director Rhys Ernst - winner of the Grand Jury Award for Best Direction at LA Outfest, a coming-of-age comedy following Adam, as he spends the summer in his sister's NYC lesbian & trans scene, encountering love, friendship and hard truths; and ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF NOAH PIUGATTUK, the latest film from Zacharias Kunuk (Atanarjuat: THE FAST RUNNER). Set in 1961, the film follows a nomadic Inuit hunter and his band as they face pressure from a Canadian government official to move to permanent housing, assimilate their children into settler society, and give up their traditional way of life.

 

For a full list of films please visit calgaryfilm.com

Tickets are $17 for Headliners, $15 for regular screenings. Lunchtime Shorts and films starting before 6:30pm Monday-Friday are $10.

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For more information or to book interviews contact:
Nadine bibi, Marketing Director, The Calgary International Film Festival
nadine.bibi@calgaryfilm.com
403.452.4845

About the Calgary International Film Festival

The Calgary International Film Festival (Calgary Film) is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and over 40 other countries. The festival hosts gala events, screenings, special presentations, and a Behind the Screen series that emphasizes unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact.

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