Call for Submissions

CUFF has two annual submission deadlines. One is for the Calgary Underground Film Festival, which takes place each April, the other is for CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival, which takes place each November. Submissions for both CUFF.Docs 2024 and CUFF 2025 are now open.

12th CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival

Nov 20-24, 2024

CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival showcases the best in non-fiction films, presented by the Calgary Underground Film Festival. CUFF.Docs grew out of both a desire to bring more international documentaries to Calgary, and a necessity. We were seeing so many great documentary films submitted to our annual Calgary Underground Film Festival, and through attending film festivals worldwide, but we just couldn’t fit them all into one event. At CUFF.Docs, the quality of the film is what matters most; we don't book films to make political statements or advocate for particular issues. Instead, we hope to present a range of films that both confirm and challenge beliefs, promoting a sense of wonder and a healthy skepticism, and above all, that continue to advance the medium of documentary filmmaking. The Calgary Underground Film Festival loves supporting independent film, and with a great team and passionate supporters, we elevate Calgary's cultural landscape.

DATES AND DEADLINES
Opening Date: June 3, 2024
Regular Deadline: September 9, 2024 
Late Deadline: October 1, 2024
Notification Date: November 4, 2024
Event Date: November 20-24, 2024

FEES
Feature Docs: $20
Late Deadline: $30
International Shorts: $20
Canadian Shorts: $10 
*Free for alumni and Alberta filmmakers. Please email us for a waiver code if you meet either of these criteria. 

22nd Calgary Underground Film Festival

April 17-27, 2025

CUFF is Western Canada's premiere genre festival, and one of Calgary’s most anticipated events for film fans. Recently, CUFF has been named one of The Best Horror Festivals in the World, 2022 by Dread Central, and in 2023 and 2021 was selected as one of the World’s 50 Best Genre Festivals and one of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine.

Founded in 2003, CUFF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to programming films that defy convention. Through the screening of contemporary works in various categories that include: feature, documentary, animation and shorts – we bring Calgarians a unique roster of films rarely seen in North American theatres. We actively look to showcase titles in all genres, from horror, sci-fi and fantasy to comedies, thrillers and music-related films. In addition to finding great films we are committed to introducing you to the people behind the lens, by showcasing local and international indie filmmakers. We are proud to contribute to Calgary's thriving arts community and are thrilled to bring innovative and challenging selections to all film enthusiasts.

GUIDELINES
1) Features films: must be a Calgary premiere, and not have screened in theatre, local festival or Canadian broadcast before our dates.
2) Short films: Priority is given to films which have not yet screened in Calgary.
3) We do not program films which were finished prior to last year's festival.
4) Films must not have been released on VOD or available to Canadian audiences.
5) If you change your screener link or password, and do not notify us on your own, it could end up not being seen. We do our best to follow up, but can not always do so.
*If your film screened at festivals prior to April 2023 we do not recommend applying.

DATES AND DEADLINES
Opening Date: July 2, 2024
Regular Deadline: February 3, 2025
Notification Date: March 17, 2025
Event Date: April 17-27, 2025

FEES
Feature Films: $40
Canadian Features: $30
International Shorts: $20
Canadian Shorts: $15 
*Free for alumni and Alberta filmmakers. Please email us for a waiver code if you meet either of these criteria. 

If you have any questions please contact: cuff@calgaryundergroundfilm.org