A film fest featuring outdoor adventures will provide thrills, chills and inspiring scenery, but it can all be enjoyed from the safety of one’s seat.
Bragg Creek Kananaskis Outdoor Recreation (BCKOR) website founders Shaun Peter and his wife Jessica, are hosting their second annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) Best of the Fest Tour at the Bragg Creek Community Centre Sept. 7.
Two years ago, the Bragg Creek residents and outdoor enthusiasts, created BCKOR, an information network, to inform local residents and tourists about the wilderness adventure opportunities around Bragg Creek and Kananaskis Country’s Elbow Valley.
Passionate about outdoor sports, Peter said he and his wife want to encourage people to recreate in West Bragg Creek and Elbow Valley, located about 10 minutes from Bragg Creek. The couple is educating tourists through their website and this film fest, which features unique award-winning short films from around the world.
They will show 11 films, which range from five minutes to one hour in length, and feature outdoor enthusiasts and recreationists doing everything from rock and ice climbing, to backcountry skiing and paragliding.
“It’s an exciting night out away from the typical Hollywood movies in a beautiful setting,” said Peter. “Watching these movies will allow people that normally wouldn’t be able to experience these sports a first person perspective.
“I think Bragg Creek is a hidden gem with backcountry and outdoor recreation opportunities located right next door,” he added. “There are so many trails and opportunities for a wide variety of sport such as white water rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing.”
Founded in British Columbia in 1998, the VIMFF evolved from a three-day event with an audience of 1,700 to a nine-day event in North Vancouver and Vancouver with live presentations, films, photography, live music and international film and photo competitions.
Today, the film festival is a national event, with the VIMFF Best of the Fest Tour, which travels to about 30 communities across Canada.
Last September, Peter said his inaugural local film fest was a huge success with more than 350 people in attendance.
“Last year’s event sold out and we had to turn some people away at the door so please purchase tickets in advance,” said Peter. “We’re hoping to sell out again this year with close to 400 tickets available.”
The film fest will also include a silent auction with proceeds being donated to the Canadian Mountain Bike Alliance, Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society and the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association — organizations helping to maintain the Kananaskis Country trails near Bragg Creek. “These trails are vital to the community of Bragg Creek as we see more and more outdoor recreation enthusiasts spending time in the community before and after spending time recreating nearby,” said Peter. “With the recent flooding, there is a significant need for more trail maintenance and these organizations have stepped up to the plate and are making the trails usable in astonishing time.”
The Best of the Fest Tour in Bragg Creek will be held Sept. 7 at the Bragg Creek Community Centre. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show times are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Advance tickets will be sold until midnight Friday Sept. 6 for $14.
Purchase tickets online at bckor.ca or at Bragg Creek Family Foods.
Tickets at the door are $15.
