The Fairy Tales Queer Art Film Festival is set to present a diverse array of stories of resilience and joy from around the world. The 28th edition of the festival, running from May 14 to May 17 at Contemporary Calgary, will feature 42 films from 20 countries, making it one of Canada's oldest queer festivals and the longest-running film festival in Calgary.
Highlighted Films in the Youth and Family Shorts Package
Among the seven films in the Youth and Family Shorts package, screening on Sunday, May 17, is Canadian director Jacinta Gaspar's Part of the Band. The short film follows a lonely young man who becomes obsessed with the lead singer of a Toronto band, only to have his life turned upside down when he discovers the vocalist is trans. Another film, My Dear Watson by American director Jacob McKee, centers on a teenage Sherlock Holmes trying to identify a secret admirer after receiving a love note. In MDB, Argentinian director Mila Aquilia tells the story of two 14-year-old girls who fall in love at an upscale spa but are forced to keep their relationship a secret.
Importance of Queer Storytelling for Youth
Shone Thistle, executive director of Calgary Queer Arts Society, emphasized the significance of these stories. “I think sometimes we assume that anything related to LGBTQIA2S+ storytelling somehow doesn’t include young people or families,” Thistle said. “I think it’s so powerful and important that we tell those stories. They are just laden with queer joy and just some really beautiful coming-of-age moments.”
Documentaries and Special Screenings
The festival also includes the documentary A Place Where I Belong by Rheanna Toy, which follows six individuals with intellectual disabilities as they participate in a community program that helps them navigate their identities and overcome systemic barriers. Deborah Craig's Sally! is an American documentary chronicling the work, life, and legacy of lesbian-feminist activist Sally Gearhart, a key figure in the 1970s and 1980s women's and gay rights movements. The May 17 screening will be followed by a panel discussion with members of the local Rainbow Elders community, who will share their own stories of resilience.
Opening Musical: Starwalker
The festival opens on May 13 with Starwalker, a musical by Oji-Cree artist Corey Payette that follows a Two-Spirit performer within Vancouver's drag scene.
Evolution of Queer Cinema
Thistle reflected on the festival's history and the evolution of queer cinema. “I think we are sometimes led down the path of all queer stories being tragic and that rights have not advanced as well in other parts of the world as they have here,” Thistle said. “While that second part may have some truth, what we overwhelmingly see are these stories of queer resilience, of human resilience and joy. A beautifully told story resonates across cultures, across genders, across sexuality, and that proves to be true over and over and over again. I think over the last 28 years, what we’ve been able to do is become a destination for filmmakers from all over the world, which is really exciting.”
