The 27th Annual Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival launches this week and will run June 12-15 at Contemporary Calgary. The Festival opens with Pride vs. Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story, which revisits the landmark 1998 Supreme Court case that led Alberta to include sexual orientation in its human rights legislation.
The screening, followed by a “Then and Now” panel discussion, couldn’t be more timely as the province again finds itself at the center of national conversations about 2SLGBTQIA+ protections. The panel (featuring Brendan MacArthur Stevens – Blakes law firm; Amelia Newbert, trans advocate and founder of Skipping Stone Foundation; and Keith Purdy, 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate and representative of the Alberta Federation of Labour) will reflect on the legal and cultural impact of Vriend’s activism—and the ongoing work for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada.
The Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival is one of the longest-running and most impactful queer film festivals in Western Canada. It features 21 film screenings, an Artist Market showcasing 17 local queer artists and makers, interactive workshops, and dynamic drag performances—all celebrating the diverse intersectionality, talent, and lived experiences of queer creators.
On the Festival’s final day, join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen for one of his favourite films, Winter Kept Us Warm. Experience the ground-breaking film that changed Canadian cinema forever: the first English Canadian gay film ever made! This beautifully shot black-and-white gem captivated audiences worldwide upon its 1965 release, boldly depicting queer desire at a time when homosexuality was still criminalized in Canada. Winter Kept Us Warm was remastered for its 60th anniversary—a time capsule of pre-liberation queer intimacy and a watershed moment in our nation’s film history. Kevin will host a talk-back session after the film. Kevin will host a talk-back session after the film.
Visit the festival website for the full schedule.
Tickets can be purchased through the Arts Commons Box Office: here.
See you at the Festival!
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Calgary Gay History 