The Breakdown The Category Is: Cinematic Excellence.Film Premiere on Sunday, December 14th at 5PMThe Breakdown is the first ever collaboration between EMMEDIA and Vogue YYC. In thismedia arts training program created by and for Calgary’s Ballroom scene, we center the voices of queer and trans people of color (QTPOC). Over two months, participating artists will collaborate with their Houses to learn media analysis, storytelling, and video production skills and create original films. From fashion films to cultural tributes, The Breakdown empowers artists to remix, reclaim, and represent Ballroom on their own terms.Proudly supported by Calgary Foundation, SpanicArts, Calgary Arts Development, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and Canada Council for the Arts. Kiki House of Galore Documentary Created by Father Cardi Galore, Princess Empress Galore and Cono Galore.As the first Calgary born Kiki ballroom house, the Kiki House of Galore has carved its place in the city’s cultural landscape, shaping, nurturing, and elevating the growth of Calgary Ballroom from the ground up. This mini documentary traces that journey: from the house’s origins and its role in building a thriving scene, to the intimate behind the scenes reality of preparing for a ball. Viewers are invited into the rehearsals, the creative process, the challenges, and the moments of joy and community that define what it means to be a Galore.Created in collaboration with EMMEDIA and VogueYYC, this film highlights a family built through talent, dedication, resilience, and unshakeable unity. It is a celebration of the individuals who make the house what it is and the collective power they embody when they move as one.By the end, one thing becomes clear: when it comes to Calgary Ballroom, when they ask for more… it is the Kiki House of Galore they are calling. House of PinkLadyCreated by Princess Envy PinkLady and Vizcaya PinkLady.Chick Flick parody, full Pink & Y2K aesthetics, and a Burn Book–style roast where every member of the Calgary charter of House of PinkLady gets lovingly shaded and spotlit! Meet the grand prize winners of Face, Realness, Sex Siren, Butch Queen Vogue Fem and Body. En Vogue: A Gvasalia Film Created by Princess Sen Gvasalia and Prince AB Gvasalia.The House of Gvasalia explores the narrative history of Ballroom culture in relation to their contemporary status as a burgeoning chapter in Calgary. En Vogue: A Gvasalia Film pays tribute to the legacy and honored memory of ballroom pioneers who, through the ballroom scene, fashioned a world of celebrated status, competition, poise, and community. The film features excerpts from previous balls in Calgary as well as recorded footage of the Calgary Gvasalia chapter at Emmedia Gallery. This footage hearkens back to the stylings of 80’s music videos a la Deep in Vogue by artist Malcolm McClaren that featured ballroom pioneers such as the International House of Ninja featuring Willi Ninja. Through this montage, the film intertwines both past, present, and future stories, to demonstrate a celebration of Ballroom that acknowledges the very roots that sustain its fruition today. Dear Ballroom by Kin Mulan “Dear Ballroom” is a film by Kin Mulan that explores the personal journey of a boy who once felt limited in his life but is now learning to embrace the freedom that ballroom culture offers. Through this love-letter-style video, Kin expresses his gratitude for what ballroom has given him—and all that it will continue to bring. Paris is Burning (1990) + KIKI (2016) FREE Screening Join us for a special double feature screening of Paris is Burning and KIKI, two landmark documentaries that explore the past and present of Ballroom culture through the voices of Black and Latinx queer communities. Followed by a facilitated discussion, this event invites Calgary’s QTPOC and House community to reflect, connect, and imagine new ways of reclaiming narrative through media and performance.DATE: Friday, October 17th, 2025LOCATION: SpanicArtsTIME: 6:30pm The Broadway Kiki Ball VogueYYC in partnership with Calgary Queer Arts Society Presents… Curtains Up: The Broadway Kiki Ball!Whether you’re soaring as high as Elphaba or hustling like you’re late for Rent, this is your chance to command the stage, to own the night, to be the moment. So paint your face, tighten your corset, and step into the limelight, because this isn’t just another ball… It’s your ball. It’s jazz hands and high notes, standing ovations and dreams made real. After all, darling, life is a cabaret, and tonight the world is watching. Are you ready to give them a show they’ll never forget?DATE: Saturday, October 18th, 2025LOCATION: SpanicArtsTIME: 5PM to 9PM From Idea to Frame: Creative Thinking Workshop In this first filmmaking workshop, artists will explore how to develop a strong narrative structure for their video or performance piece, with a focus on storytelling rooted in Ballroom culture. Through guided exercises and group discussion, participants will begin shaping their creative concepts and decide what they want to create during the residency.DATE: Friday, October 24th, 2025LOCATION: EMMEDIATIME: 6PM-9PM Camera 101 Workshop Learn the essentials of camera operation with the Sony PXW-Z150 and Blackmagic URSA Mini with Jashan Makan, covering composition, exposure, and movement techniques. Then, apply your new skills through hands-on mock shoots, from documentary handheld work to interview setups and creative fashion lighting.DATE: Sat. November 1st, 2025LOCATION: EMMEDIATIME: 10:00AM- 2:00PM Editing and Presentation on LED Panels EMMEDIA's Technical Manager Joe Kelly will teach participants how to edit their videos on Adobe Premiere Pro and get them ready for presentation on the LED Panel wall!DATE: Saturday, November 22nd, 2025LOCATION: Quickdraw Animation SocietyTIME: 1PM-5PM Color Grading Whether you’re new to editing or looking to take your visuals to the next level, in this session, Chuck Dickens will teach you how to use color intentionally to shape tone, atmosphere, and storytelling.DATE: Monday, November 24th, 2025LOCATION: EMMEDIATIME: 12PM-4PM
