Over the last 23 years, Fairy Tales, Calgary’s Queer Film Festival, has grown from a fledgling, volunteer-run off-shoot of The Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, to become one of Canada’s largest LGBTQ2A+ film festivals. Last year, the 22nd version happened digitally due to COVID, and this year it will again, from May 21 to 30, 2021.

The themes this year is Perspectives, meaning a way of regarding situations, topics, people, sensations etc. Its Latin root means “to look through” or “to perceive.” For ten days, nearly 40 filmmakers will expose you to their perspectives of 42 films, from 13 countries, all 100% queer. You will see queerness through the eyes of another, and no two people will see the same film identically.

Select Films & Events Include:

May 22nd – Don Filipo w/ Silent Heat – Have you ever wanted to watch a campy, hysterically entertaining horror film full of homosexual longing, mysterious strangers and snakes? What about a dreamy fantasy involving queer desire and sea urchins? Of course you have. And we’ve got just the double bill for you with Don Filipo and Silent Heat.

May 25th – Gender Euphoria Shorts Package – When you get to express and feel like you are truly yourself, that is euphoric. These films give voice to the power of true self-expression and the fabulousness and joy it brings.

May 27th – Reverse Racism Cabaret hosted by Devery Bess with artist Q & A.

May 29th – A Worm In the Heart w/ The Uninhabitable Ones – Worm in the Heart is a never before seen collection of emotionally driven stories that poignantly document the current state of the Russian LGBTQ+ community.

Click here for a full schedule of all movies playing.

Tickets: $9.99
Full festival Pass: $99.99
3 Day Pass: $24.99
Discount Tickets: $7.99 for seniors, CQAS members, Artists, Students, CJSW Members,Essential Workers

Purchase Tickets

Presented by Calgary Queer Arts Society.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.