Calgary Justice Film Festival (CJFF) - Opening Ceremony

CJFF 2026 Opening Ceremony - Indigenous Lens Join us for the opening of the 21st Calgary Justice Film Festival (CJFF), a special moment honouring Indigenous voices, storytelling, culture, and filmmaking. Gather with community leaders, filmmakers, and other special guests at The Confluence for the launch of a weekend of documentary film, artist exhibits, performances, and important conversations. Thursday, November 5, 2026Doors 5:00pm | Ceremony 5:30pmThe Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9 Avenue SE, Calgary)Free Admission | Registration required PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this CJFF 2026 Opening Ceremony is separate from admission to the festival’s individual film screenings. Separate tickets will be required for each film. Please feel free to browse the CJFF 2026 film lineup HERE and get your tickets to this evening's or other films through out the festival. The Opening Night of CJFF 2026 is being hosted by community leader Steven Crowchild and centres Indigenous voices, storytelling, and ceremony. Elder Rod Scout generously returns to CJFF for a third year to offer a blessing. Minor Chief Kelsey Big Plume will be providing a welcome to all of us. Drumming by the Back Road Boys will lift our hearts again this year, and we are so pleased to welcome singer songwriter Benedict Pipestem "Gumistayi". It is such a privilege for us to welcome Fancy Dancer Kerri Crowchild to CJFF, and to have our longtime supporter Kyle Young Pine back on our stage again. The wonderful Jeff Horvath joins us for the first time this year to host the films in the Burnswest Theatre. Elder Dr. Bruce Starlight will offer a blessing before the screening of Return to the Falls: The True Story of Residential School Survivor Elder Betty Ross. The other incredible films that evening are Breakpoint: The Untold Story of the Constitution Express, Namesake təm kʷaθ nan, and #skoden. OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER: We are so grateful for our partnership with the Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown and the connected Homewood Suites by Hilton Calgary Downtown. If you are coming into Calgary for CJFF 2026, or are planning a fun stay-cation, snooze well at a lovely hotel just a 15 minute walk, and 3 minute drive, from the doors of The Confluence! Room rates are available November 5th to November 8th, 2026. Explore the hotels' wonderful CJFF 2026 discounts by clicking HERE! BE Early!: CJFF is entirely free, and so we open a few extra spots to make sure our seats are full. Registration does not guarantee a seat, so please arrive early. Seating is first come, first served. Find all films and times here: https://justicefilmfestival.ca/cjff-2026-films.