The Calgary Underground Film Festival revealed the first look at the CUFF.Docs 2021 film lineup, as CUFF gets ready to celebrate its first in-person festival in two years. The 9th CUFF.Docs will take place from November 24-28 at Globe Cinema and Online.

“We are beyond excited to see audiences again in person, as well as our volunteers and staff! We really have missed everyone, and so much of what we love too is the experience of talking about films after screenings, and the communal experience that elevates the festival,” said Festival Director and Lead Programmer Brenda Lieberman.

The first 5 films announced for this year’s festival are:

COME BACK ANY TIME (Director John Daschbach): A window into the lives of self-taught Japanese ramen master Masamoto Ueda and his wife Kazuko, who have run their tiny Tokyo ramen shop, Bizentei for more than 40 years.

SATOSHI KON – THE ILLUSIONIST (Director Pascal-Alex Vincent): A look at the career of the late anime director Satoshi Kon (PAPRIKA, PERFECT BLUE), a leading figure in animation and most influential contemporary Japanese artists.

THIS IS GWAR (Director Scott Barber): The powerful story of the iconic heavy metal/art collective/monster from Virginia, who are determined to put on the wildest, and bloodiest metal shows.

WE WERE ONCE KIDS(Director Eddie Martin): A strikingly personal documentary about the real life individuals who inspired Larry Clark’s 1995 cult classic KIDS.

WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED (Director Kier-La Janisse): An exploration of the folk horror phenomenon and its culturally specific manifestations in international horror, from its first wave in the 1970s to today.

“I always love the diversity of the films, subjects and themes explored in the various documentaries we program, and this lineup has so many incredible films to see. Our team of programmers really uncovered some amazing gems, and there is definitely something for everyone in the lineup,” said Lieberman.