This year, the Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) rolls around from April 17 to 27. Back for its 22nd year of thrilling indie films, the festival promises an exciting lineup of dramas, comedies, animated films and documentaries. The 11-day festival will showcase a roster of 48 feature-length films and 42 short films. CUFF also features special events like the Indie Game Bash and the short film showcase for the 48-Hour Movie Making Challenge. Delight in zany movies like the animated film Endless Cookie or dive into pop culture superstars at a showing of Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie.
Every CUFF, movie lovers gather at Globe Cinema to celebrate the craft of filmmaking and enjoy some of the world’s finest underground films. Snatch a seat at all movie showings with a full pass for $139 or get a five film package for $50. General admission single movie tickets go for around $12.
Here are 10 movies worth checking out at this year’s festival.
Crime Wave
When: April 16
Every year on CanFilmDay, the one-day celebration invites audiences from across the country to honour and commemorate Canadian stories and filmmakers. CanFilmDay falls on April 16 this year, and you can pop into Globe Cinema to celebrate Canadian cinema at the 40th anniversary showing of Crime Wave. In the film, a young girl helps an aspiring screenplay writer overcome his writer’s block by connecting him to an oddball character offering quirky writing advice. Kick off the festival with a free showing of this kitschy retro comedy where the film’s director John Paizs will be in attendance.
Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon Party
When: April 19
Head out for a morning of nostalgia with this all-you-can-eat-cereal cartoon party. At the three-hour showing, enjoy a variety of classic retro cartoons while indulging in an open buffet of sugary cereals and milk (including non-dairy options). Watch a non-stop program of cartoons from the ’30s to ’90s with retro commercial breaks in between each show. Be like a kid again during this Saturday morning cartoon ritual with $15 general admission tickets.
Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse
When: April 20
Step into the world of the infamous cartoonist and Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novelist Art Spiegelman. In the 100-minute documentary, the film uncovers the artist’s career through his work in the graphic novels MAUS, The New Yorker magazine covers and more. Audiences and fans of the infamous MAUS comic books will learn the personal inspiration behind them and get an intimate look into Spiegelman’s life.
Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie
When: April 20
Pop-culture favourites Cheech and Chong retell their iconic story in Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie. In the feature film, the unlikely duo explore their careers, friendship and cultural impact over their five-decade-long partnership. At the Canadian premiere of the film, audiences can expect a tender and hilarious narration of the pair’s rise to fame, starting from their meet cute to the most recent reinvention of their comedy.
U Are The Universe
When: April 22 and 25
In this Ukrainian science fiction film set in the near future, a space trucker named Andriy Melnyk is on his way to deliver nuclear waste to one of Jupiter’s moons when disaster strikes, and the Earth explodes. Melnyk believes he’s the only person who survives the tragedy until he gets a call from Catherine, a French woman at a faraway space station. In the heartfelt film, Melnyk finds his way to connect with Catherine against all odds. The movie gained acclaim as the filming was during the ongoing war in Ukraine which further punctuated the movie’s impact.
Move Ya Body: The Birth of House
When: April 22
Groove to the origins of house music at the international premiere of Move Ya Body: The Birth of House. This documentary follows the roots of house music in the south side of Chicago, tracking the events leading up to the creation of a new music culture and sound that revolutionized dance music forever. Set in the 1980s, the film pays homage to the names that built house music like Vince Lawrence, Jesse Saunders and Frankie Knuckles in a beautiful historic retelling.
Else
When: April 23
The critically acclaimed French film Else debuts in Alberta at CUFF this year. In the film, a couple must navigate through a nightmare-ish world caused by an odd disease making people merge with the objects around them. After a lockdown is imposed, the new couple get to know each other through a series of bizarre circumstances produced by the disease. The hauntingly beautiful film was developed over 13 years, winning awards like the Visual or Makeup Effects at Sitges Film Festival last year and Best Director and Picture at Screamfest 2024.
Mr. K
When: April 23
In this Franz Kafka-inspired world, the nomad magician Mr. K finds himself trapped in a magically shifting hotel. He tries to escape but is only met with strange hotel guests. The film combines cinematic and literary themes, along with visuals by Kafka, promising a charming and entertaining watch. The 96-minute Dutch film premieres in Alberta at CUFF following the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
The Gesuidouz
When: April 25
This feature film is set in Japan and is about the struggling punk band The Gesuidouz. The band moves to the rural backcountry in hopes of finding success away from the big city after signing at a small record label. Hanako, the main singer, and her group find their sound while traversing through a curious environment. The movie promises an exhilarating soundtrack with beautiful cinematic landscapes.
Found Footage Fest: 20th Anniversary Show
When: April 25
At this 20th-anniversary showing of the Found Footage Fest, comedians Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher highlight their favourite footage from their collection of more than 13,000 VHS tapes. Both Pickett and Prueher will be in attendance to personally showcase the assortment of hilarious videos and the stories that accompany them. Join the duo as they relive the humour and hilarity of the found footage at CUFF. Tickets to the live performance go for $20.
This Too Shall Pass
When: April 26
Starring a sheltered teenager named Simon Benson, the film follows the 16 year old as he convinces his best friends to take a weekend trip to see a girl in Ottawa. Set in the late 1980s, Benson goes against his strict Mormon family and makes the trek from Syracuse, New York, to see his crush. The coming-of-age film is proudly shot in Calgary, hosting its Albertan premiere at CUFF this year. Rob Grant, the film’s director and winner of the Best Narrative Feature at CUFF in 2019, will also be in attendance.