FTFF 2026: A Place Where I Belong

At Fairy Tales Film Festival, we believe everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. This moving pairing highlights the power of community and connection, from chosen family spaces to long-lost love, reminding us that belonging can be found at any stage of life.

Contemporary Calgary | Heather Edwards Theatre
Runtime: 1h 06m Country: Canada Languages: English
ABOUT:
A Place Where I Belong follows six LGBTQ+ individuals with intellectual disabilities as they navigate identity, love, and systemic barriers through an innovative program called Connecting Queer Communities (CQC). As the participants find safety and solidarity within CQC, their stories—ranging from self-advocacy and family rejection to the joy of coming out—highlight the urgent need for inclusive spaces. With CQC’s future uncertain due to funding challenges, the film is a portrait of resilience and a call to action for lasting change.
Genres: Documentary, Social Justice, Family

Rheanna’s goal as an artist is to capture stories that ask important questions about our lives as individuals and as a society. She’s directed films that have screened at multiple film festivals including the NSI Online Film Festival and Seattle Transmedia Film Festival, among others. Her short documentary debut “Serisa 26” won the 2018 Audience Choice Award at the Cinema Spectacular festival in Vancouver. As a filmmaker, Rheanna’s skill set is well-rounded. She most recently produced and edited the short film “Wok Hei”, which received funding from the Canada Council of the Arts and screened at festivals such as Devour! The Food Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Spokane International Film Festival. A Place Where I Belong is her first feature documentary.

Contemporary Calgary | Heather Edwards Theatre
Runtime: 17m Country: Brazil Languages: Portuguese

ABOUT:
João and Vitor used to be paramours but haven't spoken to each other for 30 years. At 70, they reunite and reconcile past, present, and a possible future after the passing of Vitor's wife, at a moment when so much of their lives seem to have reached an end.

Genres: Short Film

From Rio's outskirts, Thiago, who never saw himself - a queer plus-sized kid - on screen growing up, founded Rotatória, a production company that spotlights marginalized narratives. He multitasks directing, producing, editing, and writing to be able to shoot his movies without proper support.

Thiago's work explores personal and local LGBTQIAP+ stories, blending drama, fantasy, and horror genres.

Thiago debuted with "Thy Kingdom Come" (2014), a successful no-budget short film. He then achieved further success with "Melody of Darkness" (2016) and "Before Today" (2017). Subsequently, he was invited to direct the short film "Drawing" (2018) and produced "Memoirs of the (Non)existent Me" (2021) and "Mortal Enemies and Other Nonsense" (2023) through competitive production grants.

Thiago's accolades include recognition at festivals such as the 46th Gramado Film Fest, Brazil's most traditional festival, and selections in over 30 countries, including venues like the Leeds International Film Festival, Inside Out Toronto, and Outfest Fusion, as well as television broadcasts.

His work was televisionised several times and he is also a member of the Brazilian Film Academy.

Recommended if you plan to attend 6+ films.

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Host or Publisher Calgary Queer Arts Society