Calgary Underground Film Festival 2026: CUFF Guide - Calgary's Best Rated

Calgary Underground Film Festival 2026: CUFF is back in April

Calgary Underground Film Festival 2026 (CUFF) runs April 16–26, 2026, bringing 11 days of bold independent cinema to Calgary with a program built around films that challenge expectations. Founded in 2003, CUFF has become one of Calgary’s most anticipated film events and is described by Tourism Calgary as Western Canada’s premiere genre festival.

If you love movies that take risks, this is the festival where Calgary feels like a true film city: packed screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and that downtown buzz you only get when audiences are moving from show to show with programs in hand.

CUFF 2026 dates, festival length, and what’s coming

CUFF 2026 is officially listed for April 16–26, 2026. Tourism Calgary also notes that the full program is announced and tickets go on sale in late March, which is a key planning detail if you want prime screening times.

The festival’s “Call for Submissions” page confirms this is the 23rd Calgary Underground Film Festival and repeats the 2026 dates, reinforcing that CUFF’s April timing is consistent year to year. If you’re the type who likes to book time off early or coordinate a group outing, those dates are the first thing to lock in.

Why the late-March announcement matters

Because CUFF’s lineup is curated, the schedule tends to shape how people experience the festival. Tourism Calgary’s note that tickets go on sale in late March is your cue to start watching closely if you want opening-weekend energy or limited-capacity events.

CUFF also runs year-round programming beyond the main festival, including an Off the CUFF screening series and special events throughout the year. That’s useful if you want a “warm-up” screening before festival week or you missed the dates but still want to tap into CUFF’s vibe.

What makes Calgary Underground Film Festival different

CUFF isn’t a red-carpet spectacle designed for industry insiders. It’s a fan-forward festival that emphasizes discovery—films you likely won’t see in wide North American theatrical runs, plus filmmaker access that makes the experience feel personal and local.

Tourism Calgary describes CUFF as a festival that programs films engaging audiences and defying convention, across categories like feature, documentary, animation, and shorts. CUFF’s own mission statement echoes this, describing itself as a not-for-profit dedicated to programming films that defy convention and showcasing contemporary work across multiple categories and genres.

A true genre festival (but not just horror)

CUFF is often associated with genre cinema, and it leans into that identity. The submissions page notes CUFF actively showcases titles across all genres, including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, comedy, thrillers, and music-related films. Tourism Calgary describes it similarly, emphasizing the breadth of genres and categories and the aim of bringing Alberta audiences films rarely seen in North American theatres.

That range is exactly why CUFF works for different types of Calgary moviegoers:

If you like horror and midnight energy, you’ll find it.
If you prefer documentaries or animation, CUFF programs those categories too.
If you simply want something fresh, CUFF’s “not the usual lineup” approach is the point.

Filmmakers in attendance

CUFF places value on connecting audiences with the people behind the lens. The submissions page states the festival is committed to introducing audiences to local and international indie filmmakers. Tourism Calgary reinforces that CUFF highlights filmmakers and contributes to Calgary’s thriving arts community.

For Calgary audiences, this is one of the best parts of attending: you don’t just watch a film and leave. You can often stick around for a Q&A, hear about the creative decisions, and walk out of the Globe area buzzing about what you just saw.

Where CUFF happens in Calgary

Tourism Calgary’s CUFF listing is city-focused rather than venue-specific, but CUFF has a strong downtown identity and is closely associated with Globe Cinema programming and events. If you’re planning your festival week, think “downtown nights” and build in time to enjoy the area—especially if you’re coming from neighbourhoods like Kensington, Bridgeland, Inglewood, or the Beltline.

Make CUFF a downtown night out

CUFF is one of those Calgary events that pairs well with the city’s best simple pleasures:

An early dinner downtown, then a film.
A pre-show coffee in the Beltline, then an afternoon screening.
A walk past the Calgary Tower lighting up the skyline, then a late screening with friends.

Tourism Calgary positions CUFF as one of the city’s most anticipated annual events for film fans, and that energy is part of what makes the festival feel like a mini “season” in Calgary’s cultural calendar.

Tickets, passes, and how to plan your CUFF 2026 week

The most important planning note for CUFF 2026 is timing: the full program is announced and tickets go on sale in late March. Once the lineup drops, popular screenings can fill quickly, especially on opening weekend or for buzzy genre titles.

A simple way to choose what to watch

If you’re new to CUFF, don’t overcomplicate it. Choose:

One “headline” screening you’re genuinely excited about.
One wildcard you’d never normally watch (this is where CUFF shines).
One short-film block to sample a lot of work in one sitting (CUFF programs shorts and highlights variety).

This approach gives you a satisfying festival experience even if you only attend for one day.

For filmmakers: CUFF submissions and deadlines

CUFF is also a major opportunity for filmmakers, especially local and Alberta creators. The CUFF submissions page lists the regular deadline as February 2, 2026, with a notification date of March 16, 2026 for the April festival. It also notes submission fees by category (features and shorts, with different Canadian vs. international pricing) and states it’s free for CUFF alumni and Alberta filmmakers who request a waiver code.

If you’re a Calgary filmmaker or part of the local creative community, CUFF’s requirements are also worth reading closely. The guidelines include premiere expectations (for features) and priorities for shorts that haven’t screened in Calgary yet.

Stats and local momentum: how big CUFF has become

CUFF’s audience has been growing. CUFF shared that its 2024 edition set new records with 11,500 attendees, an increase of 35% year-over-year. That kind of growth signals something important for Calgary: CUFF isn’t niche anymore—it’s a real draw for the city’s arts and film community.

Tourism Calgary also underlines this “major event” status by describing CUFF as Western Canada’s premiere genre festival and highlighting its role in elevating Calgary’s cultural landscape.

CUFF 2026: local tips for a smooth festival experience

A little Calgary-specific planning goes a long way during festival week.

Pick your nights strategically

If you want the most social vibe, aim for early festival nights and weekends when the crowd energy is highest. If you want more space and flexibility, weekday screenings often feel calmer and easier to plan around work or school schedules.

Build your own mini itinerary

Try one of these easy formats:

Date night: Dinner downtown + one feature screening.
Friends night: One feature + a post-film hangout to debate what you just watched.
Solo film-lover day: An afternoon film, a break, then an evening screening.

Tourism Calgary notes CUFF’s programming spans features, docs, animation, and shorts, so you can tailor your day to your taste rather than forcing yourself into one genre.

Keep an eye on special events

Tourism Calgary also highlights that CUFF runs Off the CUFF year-round and special events throughout the year, which often become the most memorable “Calgary-only” experiences. If you see one that fits your interests—especially one tied to a filmmaker visit—consider grabbing it early.

Mark your calendar for April 16–26

Calgary Underground Film Festival 2026 runs April 16–26, 2026, with tickets and the full program expected to be announced in late March. If you want the best selection of screening times, plan your CUFF week now, then jump on your must-see films as soon as the schedule drops.