Calgary Underground Film Festival Unveils 2026 Program with Thrilling Bookends
The Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) is set to launch its 11-day cinematic extravaganza on April 16, 2026, with a lineup that promises to captivate genre film enthusiasts. The festival will commence with the supernatural horror film Hokum by Irish filmmaker Damian McCarthy and conclude with the international premiere of Boots Riley's comedy I Love Boosters.
Festival Details and Scale
Running from April 16 to 26 at the Globe Cinema, CUFF 2026 will showcase an impressive selection of 45 feature films and 35 short films. This edition includes four locally produced films and nine international premieres, highlighting the festival's commitment to diverse and innovative cinema. More than 85 guests, including filmmakers and actors, are scheduled to attend screenings for engaging Q&A sessions, offering audiences unique insights into the creative process.
Opening and Closing Films
Hokum, the opening film, serves as the acclaimed follow-up to McCarthy's 2024 folk-horror hit Oddity. The film stars Adam Scott as a writer who returns to an Irish hotel, where his parents honeymooned, to scatter their ashes, only to encounter unsettling supernatural phenomena. This psychological thriller sets a haunting tone for the festival's exploration of genre cinema.
The closing film, I Love Boosters, marks director and hip-hop star Boots Riley's sophomore effort after his 2018 dark comedy Sorry to Bother You, which was a favorite at CUFF. This new comedy features Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie in a story about a group of shoplifters targeting a ruthless fashion maven, blending social commentary with Riley's signature satirical style.
Local and Alberta-Based Features
CUFF 2026 proudly highlights several Alberta-based productions, underscoring the region's vibrant film scene. Notable entries include:
- Earth to Colby by Calgary director Rino Mioc, a film about a vlogger discovering portals in her hometown.
- NOFX – 40 Years of F–kn' Up, a documentary by Calgary director James Buddy Day on the punk-rock band, produced by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike.
- CAMP, an Alberta-shot horror film starring local actor Mike Tan and produced by Calgary's Taylor Nodrick and Michael Peterson.
- Buffet Infinity, a debut horror-comedy by Edmonton director Simon Glassmen.
- Young Female Playwright, the directorial debut of Calgary expat Pony Nicole Herauf.
- The Bearded Girl, a coming-of-age film by former Jasper resident Jody Wilson.
International and Canadian Premieres
The festival's nine international premieres feature a range of compelling works, such as the horror film Goody Goody by American director Raymond Creamer, John Wilson's critically praised comedic documentary The History of Concrete, and Matthew Perniciaro's documentary Long Live the State about a New York comedy troupe from the 1980s.
Canadian premieres include Caleb Phillips' existential horror film Imposters, Australian director Natalie Erika James's body-horror film Saccharine, and Curry Barker's comedy-horror Obsession, with Barker in attendance.
Special Screenings and Events
In a pre-festival event on April 15, CUFF will host a 30th-anniversary screening of Bruce McDonald's Hard Core Logo to celebrate National Canadian Film Day, with McDonald present. Additionally, a 45th-anniversary screening of the Canadian cult-horror classic My Bloody Valentine will take place, featuring director George Mihalka.
Festival favorites return, including The Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat-Cereal Cartoon Party on April 18, offering three hours of retro animation. On the final day, April 26, projects from the 48-hour Movie Making Challenge will be screened, showcasing local talent and creativity.
The Calgary Underground Film Festival continues to be a cornerstone of alternative cinema in Alberta, providing a platform for groundbreaking films and fostering community engagement through its diverse program and special events.
