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By Abby Zieverink

Community

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival returning to Grande Prairie

Dec 8, 2021 | 1:17 PM

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is set to be back in person this year in Grande Prairie.

The annual festival is one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals in the world and showcases films throughout over 550 communities across 40 countries.

The event is taking place in Grande Prairie on January 14-16 at the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre at Grande Prairie Regional College.

Geo Rawlings is one of the cohosts for the festival and tells EverythingGP, they will be showcasing seven films each of the three nights, with each night featuring a different program.

“That is kind of keeping in tune what we have done in the past. Approximately the same show length of a little over two hours, with an intermission in between,” he explained.

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“So, you can come for three nights and see different films each night.”

Something new they are bringing to the event this year is a Saturday matinée portion of the festival.

“This year we’re doing an event on Friday night at 7 p.m., we will have a Saturday afternoon Matinee at noon, which is new this year, we received some feedback from the past few years, so we’re giving it a try this year, and of course on Sunday night, we’re having another evening show at 7 p.m., same as on Friday night,” Rawlings said.

Although the event is set to look very similar to pre-pandemic times, Rawlings mentioned there will be some changes to the event.

“(The films) are just going to be picked by the Banff Centre, and messages from the virtual tour host will be said within the video instead of being in person, on the stage in the theatre.”

In previous years, Rawlings adds they have been able to have input into the film selection for Grande Prairie residents.

“So, this year, we won’t have input it into (films), as we had in the past, in terms of catering the films to what we feel our audience here in Grande Prairie and Peace Region would like.”

With a portion of the proceeds going to the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club, Rawlings tells EverythingGP, after two difficult fundraising years, he hopes many residents across the region come together for the event.

“It is very difficult to say what the numbers are going to be like this year, there may still be some people who may not be able to attend, and compared to previous years, we’re expecting the numbers to be a little bit down but, every little bit helps.”

A link to purchase tickets can be found here.

Proof of COVID vaccinations with a QR code or a recent negative COVID-19 test will be required to enter the film festival.