The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is presenting a series of short films on Sunday Sept 21 at 2pm. One of the documentaries is entitled “Unfolding Faith” and was directed by Elyse Bouvier.
In this nuanced and timely short film, Elyse Bouvier explores how her decision to give up her faith redefined both her identity and her relationships with her parents. In raw yet empathic conversations with her devout mother and her father, Peter Bouvier – a former evangelical pastor turned atheist – she touches on themes of emotional connection, intellectual pursuit and mixed-faith families. Peter is a former member of RMA and served on the Board of RMA for a period of time.
From the website: When Elyse’s father, a former pastor, abandons his faith, she follows suit, breaking five generations of family Pentecostalism. This documentary explores their parallel journeys of deconversion, juxtaposed against Elyse’s devoutly Christian mother, who stands firm in her beliefs despite remarrying. Through her lens as both filmmaker and subject, Elyse unravels the intricate impact of religious shifts on family bonds and personal identity. Her intimate narrative illuminates the complex aftermath of leaving a deeply rooted faith tradition.
You are free to purchase tickets for this from CIFF. Note that there are several shorts included in the presentation, and “Unfolding Faith” is one of them.
Purchase tickets here: https://www.ciffcalgary.ca/films/2025/shorts-documentary/
The presentation is at Contemporary Calgary gallery near the Mewata Armoury in the west end of downtown. Tickets are purchased through the link provided and the CIFF, not RMA.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21,
🕒 Time: 2:00 pm MDT
📍 Location: Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St SW · Calgary, AB