Our Story

In March 2007, a group of local arts professionals, filmmakers, critics, and educators formed a non-profit society to fill a gap in Calgary’s film community. At that time, there were no organizations dedicated to the year-round presentation of cinema art. In the spirit of Cinematheques and film societies around the world, the Calgary Cinematheque Society was founded, dedicated to cultivating a community around the presentation of artistically significant, historically relevant, and newly rediscovered films.

Within half a year, the Calgary Cinematheque began programming with the popular “Talking Pictures ” series, which paired a film with a speaker, of ten the director of the film or someone who had expert knowledge of the film. The programming so impressed the community that Calgary Cinematheque was able to garner volunteers and support from many sources to continue their work. Soon, CCS became a registered charitable organization, gained operational funding from Calgary Arts Development, and secured charitable gaming funds from the Alberta government. At the same time, Calgary Cinematheque continued to build steady box office revenue and a reputation for programming excellence, presenting films from a mix of classic, underseen, and contemporary filmmakers.

In 2014, Calgary Cinematheque began organizing its programming into distinct series dedicated to exploring a particular thematic trend, specific movements and topics, and Contemporary World Cinema, dedicated to presenting the most acclaimed titles from the film festival circuit. These series continue to inform Calgary Cinematheque’s programming to the current day.

From presenting a mere nine titles in 2007, to over 25 titles in 2019, Calgary Cinematheque has continually grown its audience, community, and organization partners. Even despite the challenges of 2020, Calgary Cinematheque continues to work toward cultivating a community of film lovers in Calgary and continuing to enrich Calgary’s film scene year-round.

VISION
Critical cinema culture thriving in Calgary.

MISSION
Bringing people together to experience significant cinema. 

VALUES

Regardless of shifting priorities and forces, our core values remain strong and intact. Acknowledging the tensions and interplay between these core values, we will: 

  • Curate Purposefully

  • Create and Engage a Filmgoing Community

  • Be Sustainable and Responsible

 

Land Acknowledgement

The Calgary Cinematheque’s office and screening venues are located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). Moh’kins’tsis, named by the Blackfoot where the Bow River meets the Elbow, is also home to the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region III.