The 2022 Calgary Black Film Festival is set to hit screens, both in person and at home starting Thursday the 26th of May, and concluding Sunday the 29th. Viewers will experience stories that bring truth to power, rooted in both joy and resilience. This year’s festival is right on time, to kick off the ending of the school year and a great way to kick off summer early. Tickets can be purchased for films individually, as well as an all access virtual pass.If you’re like me, film festivals may be intimidating. It’s hard to know what films to choose, usually because you want to see them all. To ease my own concerns and help you, I’ve done a bit of research. The following films are on my absolute must see list for this year.

BLACK LIVES IN ALBERTA: OVER A CENTURY OF RACIAL INJUSTICE CONTINUES

Genre: Documentary

Directed by Jenna Bailey, Deborah Dobbins, David Este

Country: Canada

BLACK LIVES IN ALBERTA (2021) is the film I needed and wanted as an African American immigrant to this country. I feel a special connection to the people that came from the U.S. before me, and I am honoured to continue that tradition in the 21st century as a Black permanent resident. No matter what your connection is to this documentary, I recommend bringing tissues.

BLACKMAIL

Genre: Thriller

Directed by Obi Emelonye

Actors: O. C. Ukeje, Alessandro Babalola, et al.

Country: UK

WOW! Where do I begin with BLACKMAIL (2021)? This film’s trailer had me at the edge of my seat from 0:01 until the end of the video. You may know the Nigerian filmmaker Obi Emelonye from his hit films Last Flight to Abuja (2012) or his TV series Crazy, Lovely, Cool. BLACKMAIL is a beast of its own accord however, and I am really excited for the intensity of this psychological thriller from the UK.

RKLSS

Genre: Narrative Film

Directed by Tank Standing Buffalo

Actors: Tank Standing Buffalo, JP Blanchette

Country: Canada

RKLSS (2020) directed by Tank Standing Buffalo is an animated film that tells the story of a rebel who is eventually incarcerated and placed into solitary confinement. When it comes to animation, RKLSS has some of the beautifully gritty I loved growing up watching Cartoon Network. See for yourself here:

FINDING MY WAY BACK TO YOU

Genre: Black in Canada

Directed by Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker

FINDING MY WAY BACK TO YOU (2021) created by Jamaican-Chilean filmmaker Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker follows her life journey navigating her identities in Calgary alongside grappling with her father’s Schizophrenia. Learn more here: https://calgaryblackfilm.com/movie/finding-my-way-back-to-you/

KILL YOUR MASTERS 

Genre: Narrative Film

Directed by Israel Ekanem

Actors: Otni Chinenere, Ruvi Mugara, John O'Brien, Naishe Mugara

Country: Canada

KILL YOUR MASTERS (2021) caught my attention right away in the title alone. After watching the trailer, I am even more intrigued to see if these two Black queens can emancipate themselves accordingly in Ekanem’s narrative feature.

GEMMEL & TIM

Genre: Documentary

Directed by Michael Thomas

Country: U.S.

Michael Thomas’ award winning documentary GEMMEL & TIM (2021) tells the story of the deaths of two Black American gay men, Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean who mysteriously died in the apartment of Hollywood political maverick Ed Buck. This story is a cautionary tale that everyone should pay attention to.

To learn about more films at the Calgary Black Film Festival, or purchase your tickets, you can go to https://calgaryblackfilm.com/. You can also look out for special ticket giveaways through the Afros in Tha City social media accounts or by subscribing to our newsletter.