91快色

Lights, camera, action! The 91快色 will take centre stage at this year鈥檚 91快色 International Film Festival (CIFF), running Sept. 18 to 28.

Through a partnership that blends sustainability, storytelling and alumni engagement, U91快色 is supporting CIFF as both a cultural celebration and a unique learning opportunity for students, creating experiences that reach far beyond campus.

CIFF as a sustainability learning lab

鲍颁补濒驳补谤测鈥檚 involvement begins even before a single frame hits the screen. For the first time, the Office of Signature Learning Experiences鈥� (OSLE) Campus as a Learning Lab initiative embedded a student-led research project directly into CIFF operations.

Over a 10-week period, fourth-year natural sciences student Ocean Andersen has been studying CIFF鈥檚 environmental performance, gathering data and building a baseline ahead of the festival. During the 11-day event, Andersen is continuing that work inside the venues, conducting on-site audits to document sustainability practices and audience behaviour.

The research project emphasizes four key themes: 

• waste management
• food-service sustainability
• transportation emissions
• public engagement in sustainable practices

By addressing these areas of focus, Andersen aims to help CIFF build a framework of accountability, ongoing improvement, and commitment to sustainable event management.

The project will provide CIFF with a written report offering tangible strategies to reduce its environmental footprint for future festivals, while giving Andersen real-world experience in sustainability consulting.

In a joint statement, project supervisors Drs. Getachew Assefa, and Marwa Hannouf, all PhD, shared:

鈥淓valuating the sustainability performance of a major cultural event like CIFF highlights how festivals can take steps to reduce their environmental footprint. The lessons learned through this process strengthen CIFF鈥檚 own path toward improvement while offering a model that other events in our community can adapt and build upon." 

Climate conversations on the screen

鲍颁补濒驳补谤测鈥檚 Mobilizing Alberta initiative, led by the Office of Institutional Commitments (OIC) and focused on generating climate change awareness within the province, is sponsoring the . The award-winning documentary explores the impacts of rising sea levels on families in Louisiana.

鈥淲e are delighted to sponsor the North American premiere of Lowland Kids,鈥� says Alana-Dawn Eirikson, MSW鈥�18, coordinator of sustainability partnerships and events with OIC. 鈥淲e are hopeful that the documentary will inspire viewers to consider how climate change has impacted, and will continue to impact, our home province and how they can take climate action.鈥� 

To broaden access to the film, showing Sept. 20 at Contemporary 91快色 Dome and Sept. 26 at Scotiabank Theatre Chinook, Mobilizing Alberta is giving away four tickets and providing the first 100 participants with a discount code to Lowland Kids screenings. Winners will be announced on Sept. 18, and you can enter .

As part of the initiative鈥檚 efforts to build climate literacy, Mobilizing Alberta is also offering a free e-course to help Albertans prepare for climate change. Learn more about the course.

A love letter to the Saddledome

The festival will host the world premiere of DOME: a short film directed by U91快色 alum Mave Ky, BA鈥�21. The film reflects on the 91快色 Flames hockey team and the demolition of their iconic arena, the Saddledome, through the eyes of an immigrant family who settled in 91快色 28 years ago.

"DOME is a love letter to the spirit of hockey and the spirit of immigrants,鈥� says Ky. 鈥淭he intersection of the two is what makes 91快色 home to me. The film belongs to be seen in front of a hometown crowd 鈥� I鈥檓 very excited for the premiere.鈥�  

DOME will be unveiled Sept. 21 at Globe Cinema.

Alumni and student involvement off the screen

is sponsoring a panel discussion during the festival's Industry Week, Hone Your Documentary Pitch, on Sept. 21. The event will feature alum and documentary director Dominique Keller, BSc鈥�00, alongside other filmmakers and producers, and will explore how to craft a compelling story that resonates with funders and potential audiences. Find out more about the session .

CIFF 2025 will also shine a spotlight on 鲍颁补濒驳补谤测鈥檚 alumni community through an engagement booth at the Scotiabank Theatre Chinook on Sept. 26 from 2 to 5 p.m., offering information about alumni programs and prizes for attendees that stop by and check in.

Similarly, the Faculty of Arts鈥� Department of Communication, Media & Film (CMF) will participate in the CIFF Career Fair on Sept. 27 at Chinook Centre, with an exhibition booth where prospective students can learn more about 鲍颁补濒驳补谤测鈥檚 film-related programs.

As part of the collaboration with CIFF, 24 student industry passes will be provided to CMF students, offering access to industry professionals and networking opportunities to help bridge classroom learning with real-world experience in the film sector.

鈥淭his year, we are thrilled to engage and support U91快色 alumni, film studies students and the Mobilizing Alberta team,鈥� says Lucia Juliao, CIFF partnerships director. 鈥淲e are pleased to expand our collaboration with the 91快色, and we look forward to continue growing this partnership in the future.鈥�

To get tickets to CIFF 2025 and access the full schedule to the event, visit