Tag Archives: Undetectable

World AIDS Day in #YYC

Posted on November 28, 2024 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Sunday, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. Safe Link Alberta (formerly known as AIDS Calgary) Calgary Queer Arts Society and Contemporary Calgary have come together to present an afternoon called ARTS and HIV. Reflections, Joy & Hope.

Hosted by drag performer Misty Meadows, the celebration will feature a recorded interview with Joe Average, an acclaimed Vancouver HIV-positive artist, a screening of award-winning filmmaker Laura O’Grady’s Undetectable and a Q&A panel moderated by James Demers. ARTS and HIV begins at noon and runs until 4:30 at Contemporary Calgary.

There will be inspiring drag performances by Misty Meadows, Argintina, and Shane OnYou. The event will also offer attendees a chance to bid on an online silent auction featuring Joe Average’s original piece Thinking Cap.

In lieu of admission, the organizers suggest leaving a donation in remembrance of someone lost to HIV/AIDS.

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Reel Canadian Film Fest This Weekend

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Some Calgary Gay History Project readers might know that historian Kevin Allen has a Fernie connection and helped found a film festival there many years ago. The Reel Canadian Film Festival‘s focus is on Canadian filmmakers and runs January 28-30, 2022; it is completely online due to the pandemic. Tickets for the festival are available to viewers in Alberta and BC—this year’s festival has both queer and Calgary content.

Poster montage of this year’s Reel Canadian Film Festival

In a full-circle way, Kevin’s latest film collaboration with director Laura O’Grady, Undetectable, is one of the featured documentaries at the Reel Canadian Film Fest. Undetectable, a films about HIV/AIDS in Canada launched last fall at the Calgary International Film Festival and has been garnishing praise and festival attention.

Film synopsis: Canada has the solution to end HIV infections and stop the world-wide AIDS epidemic. So why are people still dying of AIDS? The TELUS Original documentary Undetectable looks at the history, breaks down the roadblocks, and exposes the gatekeepers that have stopped the world from becoming HIV/AIDS free.

The festival is also featuring Dawn, her Dad and The Tractor by East Cost writer/director Shelley Thompson.

Film synopsis: When two adult siblings return to their family home in Nova Scotia for their mother’s funeral, the family and community not only have to deal with their mother’s loss, but with estranged son Donald’s transition to Dawn. Still mechanically gifted, Dawn reconnects with her Dad by repairing an old family tractor. This movie features a stunning performance by trans actress Maya Henry.

Two other feature films were shot in Calgary: Here & After and Jonesin’—support local filmmakers! Change the channel on your regular TV viewing and drop into the 14th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival. You will be delighted.

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged AIDS, bisexual, Dawn, Fernie, gay, her Dad and the Tractor, Laura O'Grady, lesbian, queer, Reel Canadian Film Festival, Shelley Thompson, transgender, Undetectable

UNDETECTABLE Launches

Posted on December 2, 2021 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Yesterday marked the 33rd World Aids Day. And our new film, Undetectable, about HIV/AIDS launched.

Canada has the solution to end HIV infections and stop the world-wide AIDS epidemic. So why are people still dying of AIDS? The TELUS Original documentary Undetectable looks at the history, breaks down the roadblocks, and exposes the gatekeepers that have stopped the world from becoming HIV/AIDS free.

The film is free to watch on Facebook and YouTube. Please watch and share widely. The film is a call to action. AIDS is a pandemic we can defeat—so let’s get it done!

Undetectable was produced by Snapshot Studios with the assistance of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund and Calgary Arts Development, in collaboration with the Calgary Gay History Project.

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