Still from the film North Shore Betty. Photo: VIMFF
Each February, the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) brings outdoor films from around the world to Vancouver. This year’s event also showcases local talent, with mountain biking, mountaineering, highlining, trail running, dance, and activism showcased in nine films about British Columbia.
Attend In-Person or Online
The 2023 festival includes 20 in-person shows and nine workshops between February 24 and March 5. Or you can stream films online between February 24 and March 26. You can buy streaming passes in themed show packs or purchase a pass that covers all the films at the festival. Tickets and streaming passes are available on the VIMFF website.
Muuxtuu: First of Many Together
Visit the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Nation in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island to learn how their mountain bike trail crew is balancing preservation and development while creating opportunities for their community to connect with nature. Watch online or in-person at the Bike Show, Saturday, February 25 at 7 pm at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
Still from Muuxtuu – First of Many Together. Photo: VIMFF
Georgia Astle: Flip the Switch
This short film showcases born-and-raised Whistlerite Georgia Astle exploring some of BC’s most beautiful areas on her mountain bike. Watch online or in-person at the Bike Show, Saturday, February 25 at 7 pm at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
Georgia Astle: Flip the Switch. Photo: VIMFF
The Squamish Highliners’ Journey
A community comes together in Squamish to rig highlines across canyons and between rocky peaks. They push the limits of their sport while supporting and inspiring each other. Watch online or in-person at the Action Adventure Show, Friday, March 3 at 7 pm at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver.
A still from The Squamish Highliners’ Journey. Photo: VIMFF
Sea-to-Sky Trail Series: Creating Space
In “Creating Space”, we meet JoJo Das, a trail runner based in the Sea-to-Sky region. The film follows JoJo as he shares insights into creating a supportive and inclusive trail running community. Watch online or at the Trail Show, Saturday, March 4 at 7 pm at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver.
Trail runner JoJo Das in the film Sea-to-Sky Trail Series: Creating Space. Photo: VIMFF.org
Renaissance
This short film highlights a ballet dancer discovering how her passion for dance can translate into movement in the natural landscapes of Squamish. Watch online or in person at the Mountain Mixer Show, Monday, February 27 at 7 pm at Brewhall in Vancouver.
A still from Renaissance. Photo: VIMFF/Mason Neufeld
Rematriation
The feature-length “Rematriation” follows the Indigenous-led movement to prevent the logging of Old Growth forests in the Fairy Creek (Ada’itsx) watershed on Vancouver Island. Watch online or in-person at the Canadian Environment Show, Saturday, February 25 at 7 pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver.
A still from Rematriation. Photo: VIMFF
I Am Because You Are
The African philosophy of Ubuntu translates as “I Am, Because You Are“. This short film follows six women of colour as they embark upon their first mountaineering trip in British Columbia’s Bugaboo Mountains. Watch online or in-person at the Adventures in Canada show Thursday, March 2 at the Kay Meek Arts Centre in West Vancouver.
Still from I Am Because You Are. Photo: VIMFF
North Shore Betty
Mountain biking on Vancouver’s North Shore has a rich history that stretches back over 30 years. Betty Birrell has been there since the beginning. Watch online or in-person at the Bike Show, Saturday, February 25 at 7 pm at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.
Betty Birrell in North Shore Betty. Photo: VIMFF
In the Land of Dreamers
This 44-minute-long film follows Ryan Dickie, a Dene-Kwagul photographer and filmmaker, and Wayne Sawchuck, a logger turned environmentalist as they journey into northeastern British Columbia’s biologically diverse Muskwa-Kechicka region. Watch online or in-person at the Adventure Travel Show Sunday, March 5 at 7 pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre.
Still from In the Land of Dreams. Photo: VIMFF
