Photo: Chevine Holloway

Calgary Justice Film Festival

By Meghan Power

For many film festivals the focus is on celebrating the medium—the art of making the film. But in 2006, a small group of like-minded Calgarians envisioned something different. A film festival that amplified the story being told, particularly stories about social justice, from around the globe. What makes the Calgary Justice Film Festival (CJFF), originally known as The Marda Loop Film Festival, unique is its invitation to audiences to be more than a spectator, to enter into a space for conversation about the struggles for justice, and to create a community of action and of change.

Nineteen years later, CJFF has received over 500 submissions from filmmakers from across 100 countries, welcomed over 30,000 attendees, screened hundreds of films, and has become a beacon for change in the world. A big part of how they are able to expand and stay relevant has been through funding opportunities with granting bodies like Calgary Arts Development (CADA).

 

CJFF’s mission and vision includes making sure the festival’s official selection aligns with the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. According to CJFF Chair, Bassem Hafez, “many of the films we screened in 2024 were written and directed by filmmakers dedicated to creating awareness around the intersection of socio-economic and social justice issues around the globe. During the 2024 festival, we featured a number of Indigenous filmmakers focusing on important issues of justice in Canada.”

 

In fact, some of the festival’s most well attended films exposed the ongoing struggle for justice, in Canada and in Alberta. Dark Highway (written and directed by Anna Jane Edmonds), exposes human trafficking and sexploitation along Ontario’s 401 highway; Pride vs. Prejudice (written and directed by Darrin Hagen), shares the story of a reluctant activist, fighting for basic human rights as a member of Alberta’s LGBTQ+ community; and, Waiting for Justice (directed by Matt LeMay), is an important film that further amplifies the continuing quest for justice and acknowledgement of Indigenous survivors of residential schools in Canada.

 

Offering audience members a new experience, CJFF held a pop-up market space, known as The Peace Market, alongside various screenings. The market was designed with the intention of creating more opportunities for passionate Calgarians who are crafting innovative solutions around causes such as climate justice, immigration, gender diversity, and other social issues to be able to find new ways of supporting and getting involved with local initiatives at a grassroots level.

 

“Thanks to the ongoing support, we are starting to see CJFF expand beyond the city limits,” says Hafez. “In June 2024, we partnered with Okotoks Film Festival for an event series called, “Justice Short Films”, featuring a selection of short films centered around the refugee experience. And in 2025, we’ve been invited to collaborate with the Alberta Human Rights Commission and the Calgary Underground Film Festival. We’ve also continued to build on our existing partnerships with the Calgary International Film Festival and the BC Environmental Film Festival, as well as continued support from the Calgary Arab Film Nights Festival. This feels big. And none of this would be possible without the continued support from sponsors and grants from organizations like CADA. We look forward to continuing to grow and to continue to inspire action and justice in our communities.”