Alison McAlpine began her career as a published poet, inspired by family tales and the oral traditions of British Columbia, where she grew up. Discovering theatre in Ireland, she soon after wrote and directed music-theatre works which toured Canada and Europe. The success of her commission to write a TVOpera inspired Alison to make her first film, Second Sight (2008), an award-winning mid-length film. BBC commissioned two versions of Second Sight. Ghostman of Skye, 2009, was “Pick of the Day” or “Critics Choice” in every major UK newspaper. Cielo, Alison’s award-winning first feature, has been presented at over 350 international film festivals and cinemas. Named as “One of the best documentaries of 2018” by Esquire and The Guardian. perfectly a strangeness, Alison’s first short film, had its World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Official Competition, May 2024.