FTFF 2026: The Secret of Me

As part of the Fairy Tales Film Festival, we spotlight urgent stories that challenge what we think we know about identity and truth. This powerful pairing brings together a gripping exposé and an intimate coming-of-age story, both exploring the cost of silence and the courage it takes to reclaim who you are.

Contemporary Calgary | Heather Edwards Theatre
Runtime: 1h 30m Country: United Kingdom, Scotland, USA Languages: English
ABOUT:
The Secret of Me follows a college student arriving at university, where a chance revelation uncovers an extraordinary secret her doctors and parents have kept from her all her life. She embarks on a journey to find out the truth about what happened to her when she was born. Her search to understand who she is leads her to a radical experiment on a pair of identical twins and a terrible lie. Directed and produced Grace Hughes-Hallett (producer of Three Identical Strangers) the documentary lifts the lid on a medical scandal that started in America in the 1960s and exploded into the public eye in the 2000s. The consequences for thousands of young children would be devastating. For one young student, it would change their life forever. This eye-opening film raises profound questions about secrecy, consent and identity.
Genres: Documentary

Grace Hughes-Hallett is a documentary maker. She produced and developed the hit film ‘Three Identical Strangers’ and is the host of ‘Dangerous Memories’, a documentary podcast series with Tortoise Media. Her latest documentary is ‘The Secret of Me’, premiering at SXSW 2025.

Grace has won the Special Jury Award at Sundance Film Festival, a Grierson, is BAFTA and Emmy nominated and has been shortlisted for an Oscar.

Contemporary Calgary | Heather Edwards Theatre
Runtime: 19m Country: Iran Languages: Baluchi, Persian

ABOUT:
Malalai is a teenage girl from the Baloch community in Iran, due to a traditional cultural practice, has been wearing boys' clothing for years. Now that she has reached puberty, she must return to the world of girls, but she is experiencing an identity crisis.

Genres: Short Film

Ghazal Zoghi Nia is an independent filmmaker and cinema instructor who made her directorial debut with the short film Narmook. With five years of experience working on over 15 short film projects, she crafts her stories from the raw realities and unspoken struggles of society. Her main focus is on telling the stories of women and children living in underserved communities that often remain unseen and unheard.

Her work as a teacher in these marginalized areas has given her a unique perspective on the lives of people overlooked by society. Through a psychological and social lens, Ghazal strives to be the voice for those whose identities are lost amid traditions and social pressures.

Recommended if you plan to attend 6+ films.

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Host or Publisher Calgary Queer Arts Society