The idea takes shape
Planning begins for a Latin American film festival rooted in community, conversation, and excellent cinema.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
What is
LAFF?
LAFF is Calgary’s gathering place for independent Latin American cinema—a festival where compelling films open the door to discovery, dialogue, and new connections.
Produced by the Hispanic Arts Society, the festival pairs a thoughtfully selected film program with informal moments where audiences and filmmakers can continue the conversation. On the screen, stories reveal different places, histories, and ways of seeing. Beyond it, people have time to exchange ideas and meet the artists behind the work.
LAFF approaches cinema as something to experience together. Rather than rushing from one title to the next, we create room to absorb each film, consider what it leaves behind, and share that experience with others. The result is an intimate and welcoming celebration of film, culture, and human connection in the heart of Calgary.
ONE ORGANIZATION · FIVE ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES
Music
Dance
Visual Arts
Theatre
Film
FROM AN IDEA TO A FESTIVAL
The Story
of LAFF
LAFF began with a group of people connected to the Hispanic Arts Society who believed Latin American cinema deserved a dedicated screen in Calgary.
As a non-profit arts organization, HAS has always challenged itself to create new ways for people to experience culture. Its programming has long celebrated music, dance, visual arts, and theatre. With LAFF, film becomes the organization’s fifth artistic discipline—and a powerful new way to share the depth, creativity, and excellence of Latin American storytelling.
The festival did not emerge overnight. Planning began in 2020, when the founding group started shaping the concept and imagining what an intentional, community-centred film festival could become. The LAFF domain was secured in 2023, marking an important step from vision toward reality.
Along the way, the concept was brought to the community through meetings, luncheons, and radio interviews. These conversations helped the team seek financial support, build volunteer involvement, gather encouragement, and listen to the people the festival hopes to serve.
Since then, the work has been about relationships: connecting with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, cultural partners, and many others across the film industry. Every conversation has helped move LAFF closer to the screen.
A PRE-FESTIVAL MILESTONE · MAY 16, 2026
Cinema before
the first LAFF.
LAFF had been in development since 2020. While that six-year planning journey continued, the Hispanic Arts Society was already creating opportunities for Calgary audiences to experience Latin American cinema together.
On May 16, 2026, HAS presented the Venezuelan film Creer ó Morir at Globe Cinema. The special screening brought together members of Calgary’s Venezuelan and wider Latin American communities around a story of family, resilience, faith and hope.
The audience testimonials captured that evening show the impact of the film and the value of presenting culturally meaningful cinema in Calgary. The screening was an important public milestone within HAS’s longer journey toward LAFF’s inaugural edition—not the beginning of the festival’s development.
Read the full HAS storyAUDIENCE TESTIMONIALS
Creer ó Morir at Globe Cinema
Presented by the Hispanic Arts Society · May 16, 2026
A name finds its home
The LAFF domain is secured as the team continues building support and industry relationships.
Cinema before the festival
HAS presents the Venezuelan film Creer ó Morir at Globe Cinema while the years-long development of LAFF continues.
The first edition
After six years of planning, LAFF welcomes Calgary audiences to its inaugural screenings and Opening Night gathering.
THE STORY IS JUST BEGINNING