Contemplating the teetering instability of Alberta’s hyper-masculine identity, BERTA BOYS explores the petrol-phallic culture and regionalisms (think roof-racks, lift-kits, oil-slogans and truck nuts) of the province, as the filmmaker and other fellow artists confront the masculine archetypes often found within themselves. In an effort to explore the masculine archetypes found within themselves and unmask the twenty-first-century petrol cowboy, the three characters (and film's co-writers) meditate on the unrestricted behaviors that blend tragedy with absurdity.

BERTA BOYS

A comedic short that contemplates the hyper-masculine identity of Alberta's oil and gas industry.

DICHROME is the winner of the 2020 CIFF Best Alberta Short Film Award. A young man escaping his toxic family crosses paths with a person who can see things others can't. At first he is unsure of the stranger and labels him a freak, but he soon finds out why he is different and that changes his perspective. Made in Rosebud, Alberta, DICHROME comes from 15-year-old Weston Snider, cast member, writer, director, and producer.

DICHROME

15 year-old filmmaker Weston Snider makes his CIFF debut with this Alberta-made, coming-of-age short.

A group of four women band together to make rock climbing more accessible in Banff. Every run is a puzzle waiting to be solved, and if the Crush Collective has anything to do with it, gender norms will not be part of the equation. WE ARE CRUSH captures the supportive environment created by the Crush Collective in Banff, AB, where womxn are invited to be vulnerable together in the climbing gym and find strength in their differences.

WE ARE CRUSH

A group of four women band together to make rock climbing more accessible in Banff.

After accidentally destroying an important piece of literature, two young publishing house employees must work throughout the night to try to piece together the remains of the destroyed manuscript in order to save their jobs. Written, directed and scored by Calgary filmmaker Gabe Romero, BERLIN CASTRO delves into the complicated relationship between translator and poetry.

BERLIN CASTRO

Two young employees at a publishing house accidentally destroy an important piece of literature, forcing them to create a forgery.

What happens when you have to choose between who you are and what you love? Choral singer Ari Agha is faced with this dilemma when they consider testosterone therapy, which could cost them their singing voice. A dire lack of research on the topic makes it an even tougher decision. KEY OF T is the story of their decision, the journey of their voice transition, and what they did with the result.

KEY OF T

At 39 years old, trans singer Ari Agha began taking testosterone, uncertain about how their gender transition would affect their singing voice.

A black and white experimental short that follows a colonial trapper alone in the wild. Over many days, "the mother", "the crone", and "the siren" torment the trapper and force him to confront his violent past. Filmed in Calgary, THE MOTHER explores colonial themes and features music from local band, Ghostkeeper.

THE MOTHER

A black and white experimental short that follows a colonial trapper as he confronts his violent past alone in the wild.

An immersive slice of life documentary film that follows Medicine Hat chainsaw carver Marina Cole in a candid look at the process and creativity of turning driftwood and other recycled materials into beautiful works of art, while reverencing in the world in which she draws inspiration.

SPIRIT

A slice of life documentary featuring Marina Cole, a chainsaw carver who turns driftwood and other recycled materials into beautiful works of art.

(RE)CLAIMING INDIAN STATUS is the winner of the 2020 CIFF Best Alberta Documentary Short, Special Mention. The historical removal of Indigenous women’s Indian Status sheds light on the generational impact of colonialism and the loss of Indigenous kinship and identity for many individuals, families, and communities. This documentary short digs into their stories as they reclaim their Indian Status through their fight for the elimination of sex-based discrimination in the Indian Act.

(RE)CLAIMING INDIAN STATUS

Indigenous women fought to reclaim their Indian Status and advocated for the elimination of sex-based discrimination in Canada’s Indian Act.

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SHORTS PACKAGE: ALBERTA SPIRIT

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