Letter of the Chairperson
It gives me pleasure to enter the new year with the Calgary Arab Arts & Culture Society expanding and restructuring as a solid organization with big dreams and big partners to realize these dreams. Over the past 14 years, we’ve founded, developed and nurtured the Calgary Arab Film Nights Festival. Beside it, we expanded to include standalone projects that are not only film- related. We have organized independent screenings, Poetry Nights, and partnered with like-minded festivals, in Calgary, in Alberta and even overseas. Throughout this journey, we have grown from a boutique festival into a western Canada cultural broker. We signed a partnership agreement with the Canadian Arab Orchestra to support their western Canada tour commencing in Calgary in 2024, a week after our 2nd year Celebration of the Arab Heritage at the Calgary Public Library. In the 3rd year, we were approached by the Calgary Society for Independent Filmmakers to organize a thematic screening of an Arabic film, followed by a discussion with the audience. We also were approached by Springboard Performance to organize two events, and have recently concluded our board retreat commencing efforts to take our organization beyond Calgary. After a Calgary-wide and month-long activities, organizing 6 art exhibitions for two dozen artists from Arab origins, the challenge in 2026 is to go Alberta-wide. Beyond these events, partnerships, and our October 14th Arab Film Nights Festival, we are entering the year determined to restructure the organization, apply for funding to increase awareness, dialogue and make peace through different projects. These projects include Standup Comedy Nights, Placement of Hidden Talents from the Arab Canadian community in Arts & Culture organizations, and also entering the production arena with “Arab Roots” Documentary and others to follow. With amazing board and admin body, I look forward to realizing these dreams with amazing community and partners, especially that we started the year with completing our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement. Thank You
OUR MISSION
Mission:
CAACS envisions a diversified arts scene in Canada in which Arab-themed arts have the opportunity, space and resources to tell a different story, the power to build bridges, deepen relationships, and accordingly advance a more equitable society.
Vision:
CAACS’s vision is anchored in the belief that arts have the power to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and promote empathy.
The Calgary Arab Arts and Culture Society is a not-for-profit non-denominational organization whose objectives include:
-
Presenting a positive view of Arab life and society as an alternative to what is portrayed in the media.
-
Introducing audiences to the humanity, love and humour in daily Arab life.
-
Showcasing the rich history and diversity of Arab culture.
-
Highlighting the complexities of the region to challenge the simplified way of looking at Arab communities.
Statement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Calgary Arab Arts & Culture Society is committed to presenting a film festival that prioritizes equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. The Society’s Calgary Arab Film Nights Festival is committed to offering accessible admission for all screenings, which anchors our mission to provide a platform through film and visual arts that is open to everyone and creates awareness and discussion about issues that matter to our community.
Since 2022, the Board of Directors recruited new board members and initiated new screening and programming committee members to ensure the festival is represented and shaped by people with diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and professional skills. The programming committee reviews over 100 films each year and uses specialized and non-specialized opinions as a blueprint to select a wide range of films that represent the principle of "nothing about us, without us”, meaning diversity and lived experience is present both behind and in front of the camera.
In 2017 the festival introduced the Canadian Eye on the Arab World as the opening night of the festival to encourage the de-ghettoization of the Arab community in Canada to have a diversified set of stories that examine different issues relating to topics such as gender diversity and equality. As well, the Calgary Arab Arts & Culture Society is entering the realm of documentary film production, with an initial project called “Arab Roots”. In the process of research and realization, a Canadian Arab was found and interviewed with Indigenous origins. This gives the artistic endeavor a new dimension, introducing an Arab-Indigenous perspective that tackles reconciliation, racial equity, immigration, environmental sustainability, food, climate and energy security, advocacy around houselessness, poverty alleviation, racism, structural bias and community care, and more.
To build understanding, promote advocacy, and foster relationships, CAA&CS includes post-film discussions at our screenings. These discussions are facilitated by filmmakers or subject matter experts whose experiences reflect or respond to the DEI message inherent in the film.
We strive to highlight current issues of local and international importance and to expose audiences to new perspectives, issues, and initiatives connecting Canada with the Arab World. Ultimately, we aim to empower and motivate our audiences to take action in their own communities to reduce the barriers that otherwise restrict diversity and social equity.
Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, The Calgary Arab Arts & Culture Society honours and acknowledges Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Stoney Nakoda Nations: Chiniki, Bearspaw, Goodstoney and Tsuut’ina Nation. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta Districts 5 and 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations – Indigenous and non – who live, work and play on this land, and who honour and celebrate this territory.
This sacred gathering place provides us with an opportunity to engage in and demonstrate leadership on reconciliation. Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment to join our team on the lands of Treaty 7 territory.