11 documentary features will screen at this year’s Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF). The festival announced its full line-up today via a release. The docs are part of a line-up that includes 41 feature films, 37 shorts, and eight special events.
Docs on the ticketed include Lucy Lawless’s acclaimed feature directorial debut Never Look Away about cameraperson Margaret Moth. The film debuted at Sundance earlier this year to strong notices for its archival portrait of the fearless journalist. Also playing is Chris Wilcha’s Flipside, a deeply personal study of the filmmaker’s projects that were abandoned throughout the years. Meanwhile, CUFF’s doc slate includes the North American premiere of John MacLaverty’s Loch Ness: They Created a Monster about the search for the water creature of Scottish lore.
Docs about music and culture also fuel this year’s line-up with portraits of comedian Andy Kauffman (Thank You Very Much), photographer James Hamilton (Uncropped), singer Peaches (Teaches of Peaches), and comedian Connor Ratliff (I’m ‘George Lucas’: A Connor Ratliff Story) among the slate. On the short docs front, CUFF screens Sundance winner Bob’s Funeral, directed by Jack Dunphy, and the experimental I Don’t Like Mondays by Dara Jade Moats.
“Last year’s festival felt so special with audience and industry support, that our goal for this year was to put together the best lineup of films, bring as many guests as possible, and provide an incredible audience experience,” said CUFF Festival Director & Lead Programmer Brenda Lieberman, in a statement from the festival. “We love how the program has come together, and we are looking forward to showcasing everything we’ve planned and celebrating the incredible work of cutting-edge filmmakers in a cinematic environment.”
This year’s festival opens with the Canadian premiere of the drama I Saw the TV Glow, directed by Jane Schoenbrun. Other highlights include an appearance by iconic queer director John Waters. He’ll be on hand for a 30th anniversary screening and will perform a new live spoken word show, Devil’s Advocate. CUFF will also spotlight the work of Canadian filmmaker Vincenzo Natali (Cube) in this year’s retrospective. CUFF 2024 runs April 18-28 at the Globe Cinema.
