A New Home for Words Button Animation

https://vimeo.com/1184822895https://vimeo.com/1184822895 Wordfest’s Button Campaign Yes, we put on great shows, providing the in-person exclamation points between books being written and books being read. But Wordfest sets the stage for so much MORE. Take a minute to watch this animation by Everett Wilson, celebrating Wordfest’s “Human-Focused” mission. The Buttons featured in the animation are available for […]

Human Made Ideas Campaign

https://vimeo.com/1182806971https://vimeo.com/1182844996 Wordfest’s “Human-Focused” Mission Yes, we put on great shows, providing the in-person exclamation points between books being written and books being read. But Wordfest sets the stage for so much MORE. Take a minute to listen to Jason Logan, our longtime creative director, as he shares the story behind Wordfest’s 2026 branding campaign. What […]

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi in Conversation with Zain Velji

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi in Conversation with Zain Velji It was an honour to host Ibram X. Kendi on April 14, 2026, and Calgary brought the energy, curiosity, and love to this conversation. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, one of the world’s foremost historians and leading antiracist scholars. In his new book, Chain of Ideas: The Origins […]

Why Writers Love the Imaginairium

https://vimeo.com/1157366729https://vimeo.com/1155123494 Why Writers Love the Imaginairium Our authors showed up with curiosity, courage, and care, making this festival a true celebration of creativity and community. Video by Pluto Pictures. About the Festival Every October, Wordfest showcases 45+ authors in 35+ original live arts experiences (e.g. What a Pair! conversations, Big Ideas showcases, our unique The […]

Imaginairium 2025 Highlights – Pluto Film

What Makes Wordfest Special? Wordfest is more than one kind of author, one kind of reader, one kind of book. More than panels, more than readings. More than a festival. More engaging, entertaining, welcoming. More than you expect. Video by Pluto Pictures. About the Imaginairium Festival Every October, Wordfest showcases 45+ authors in 35+ original […]

The Perfect Night Out at Wordfest

https://vimeo.com/1113994911https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1113994900 “Wordfest is The Perfect Night Out” “The access and Intimacy that Wordfest allows isn’t captured anywhere else.” Video by Pluto Pictures. More Than Just a Festival Every October, Wordfest produces The Imaginairium, Canada’s Liveliest Literary Festival. But wait, there’s more. We also present the world’s most intriguing authors (in every genre!) from January through […]

Story from Adam Shoalts in The Way We Nature

Story from Adam Shoalts for The Way We… Nature Wordfest’s Imagine On Air presented Adam Shoalts online in 2021 in celebration of his highly anticipated new book The Whisper on the Night Wind. He appeared alongside Suzanne Simard, and Edith Widder for Wordfest’s lively storytelling show, The Way We… Nature. See the Author in Calgary […]

Adam Shoalts in Conversation with Pam Rocker

Adam Shoalts in Conversation with Pam Rocker for The Way We… Nature Wordfest’s Imagine On Air presented Adam Shoalts online in 2021 in celebration of his highly anticipated new book The Whisper on the Night Wind. He appeared alongside Suzanne Simard, and Edith Widder for Wordfest’s lively storytelling show, The Way We… Nature. See the […]

Chris Kraus and the Wordfest Universe

Chris Kraus & the Wordfest Universe For every show, we commission a special genre reel featuring book jacket artwork of past Wordfest alumni to show how all of the stars presented on our stages are deeply interconnected — whether thematically or by genre or through the range of audience enthusiasms each author brings to the […]

Imagine On Air presents Patrick Radden Keefe

Imagine On Air presents Patrick Radden Keefe In spring 2021, Wordfest’s Imagine On Air online series presented award-winning New Yorker journalist Patrick Radden Keefe and his highly-anticipated exposé of the Sackler family dynasty’s devastating connection to the opioid crisis: Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty. This is an hour-long conversation hosted […]

Avoid FOMO. Be the First to Know

We’d love to be able to connect directly with you. Sign up here to receive exclusive weekly updates and new show announcements. We promise to make every email newsworthy and entertaining (and by signing up, you help us avoid having to pay to advertise our events on social-media channels).

* indicates required

Tickets On Sale Aug 26!

Join our email list to receive a reminder when shows go on sale.