This past week, Rossland has been alive with activity as the Rossland Mountain Film Festival rolled into town, bringing with it a spectacular array of documentaries, shorts and sports films.
It all began with the West Kootenay Friends of Refugees Film Night at the Rossland Miners’ Hall on last Monday. The night brought to the spotlight the theme of the organization.
On Wednesday showcase films streamed at the Flying Steamshovel.
The Teck Mountain Gala, one of the main attractions, featured a number of top-tier films such as Eyes in the Forest: The Portraiture of Jim Lawrence and I Believe I Can Fly (Flight of the Frenchies), as well as a performance by Brian Kalbfleisch, appetizers and a silent art auction featuring local artists.
On Friday, the Steamshovel featured the film premiere of WE: A Collection of Individuals as well as music by the The White Crows of the New Apostolic Church.
Saturday was the busiest day, starting with a photo workshop with Cheryl Goodwin, who also spoke on Sunday Afternoon.
Goodwin has travelled the world, making her way through countries like Iran and Turkmenistan, that most travellers would avoid.
She had many positive stories to share about her travels, and photos to go along with the journey.
The presentation was inspiring for its straight forward sense of adventure.
Next up was the Reel Youth Film Festival, which featured local youth-made films incorporated into the screening program of the Reel Youth Film Festival. The festival shows the best youth films of this year.
Local youth were invited to submit short films and there were two cash prizes of $150 for the best local youth-made films for judges choice and people’s choice.
The festival was followed by a screening of On the Trail of Genghis Khan: The Last Frontier, during the Family Matinee. The film followed Australian Tim Cope, his three horses and dog Tigon as they travel 10,000 km from Mongolia to Hungary. The film focussed on the last leg of Cope’s journey as he struggles through the mountains after three years of travel.
Later that night, the Nelson and District Credit Union Saturday Mountain Film and Party featured the music of Whiskey Chief, as well as a number of showcase films.
On Sunday, the Rock Cut Pub and Red Room Lounge both showed films into the evening as everyone wound down from the weeks activities.
For more on the original schedule click here.