OUR HISTORY

CSIF was founded in 1978 by a collective of twelve filmmakers who saw the growing need for film resources and film equipment in the Treaty 7 territory and the traditional territory of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Nakoda (Stoney), and Tsuut'ina, also known as Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, funding was established through the Canada Council for the Arts, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Calgary Region Art Foundation to provide the equipment and resources for independent filmmakers in Calgary. Memberships grew as did interest in learning the techniques of 8mm and 16mm filmmaking so workshops were introduced to increase the skill level of members. 

In 1998 CSIF partnered with the Gay and Lesbian Services Community Association to present the first annual FairyTales International Queer Film Festival which has become one of the leading LGBT film festivals in Canada.

Many of our members have gone on to excel in the Canadian independent film industry due to their hard work and imagination, aided by CSIF’s focus on production, exhibition and providing resources such as workshops and information sharing. Members today are still benefiting from this focus and, as their technical needs diversify and change, CSIF attempts to keep up with these changes.  

Now in our 40th year of operation, we are an integral part of the growing cultural community in Calgary and are excited about new collaborations and opportunities.