Film and Media Arts

Established in Calgary in 1988, the Fairy Tales International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival remains the only film festival of its kind in Alberta. Produced by the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, Fairy Tales provides a venue for independent films that are about, of interest to, or produced by the gay community. Through the sharing of diverse perspectives on film, the festival seeks to generate respect and acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals. The audience for the festival is ever-growing and diverse, including members of the gay and lesbian community along with heterosexuals who enjoy thought-provoking, innovative films.

Productions screened at the Fairy Tales range from funny, light-hearted films to serious social commentaries. The films fit into a variety of categories including narrative/non-narrative, animation, documentary and experimental. Short and feature length films are shown as well as local, national and international film and videos.

Each year, both a short and a feature length film are honoured with an audience award selected through ballots.