By Valerie Rossi, Times Staff
Rossland once again will be pulling back the curtain on mountain culture with the biggest little film festival ready to roll.
The 14th annual Teck Rossland Mountain Film Festival kicks off Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Redroom Lounge of the Prestige Mountain Resort.
Left for Dead: The Legend of Wild Bill, which chronicles the misadventures of former cameraman Bill Harris, will start the series of talented videography and story telling that can be taken in throughout the week and into the weekend at various hot spots in the Golden City.
“It's tricky to put the perfect mix together but I think what we end up with is something that has some really nice local representation but also some of that international interest as well,” explained the festival’s marketing coordinator, Aerin Guy.
“I think especially with the little bit of snow we've had in the last couple of days, it's perfect timing for it,” she added. “I think everyone's getting really excited about getting their boots on, their skis tuned and heading out this year.”
The five-day festival touts an array of films, with some local content rounding out the international contributions.
Local fans can check out one of Rosslander Andre Nutini's films The Lost, described as a “no-rules ski movie” produced by Legs of Steel, on Thursday night (starting at 9 p.m.) at the Flying Steam Shovel.
But it's not just about the films. Ladies are invited to pull out their little black dresses Friday night for the Teck Mountain Gala and Silent Auction in the Ross Thompson room at the Prestige; doors open at 6 p.m.
The no-minors event includes a complimentary glass of wine, a selection of appetizers, mountain culture films, a performance by Brad Mackay and a silent art auction featuring local artists' work.
Entries are still open for the silent auction, which will see all proceeds go to the Rossland Food Bank.
“Artists will be giving their art for a good cause and they do get a little bit of exposure from it,” said Guy. “The pieces will be featured on the website, through our social media channels and at an event that a lot of people come out to.”
Saturday's big production day includes a by-donation or a non-perishable food item donation family matinee at the Miners' Union Hall at 3 p.m.
One film featured, Crossing the Ice, is a must-see story that won the Banff Mountain Film Festival people's choice, said Guy. The film follows the journey of two men dragging their food and shelter across 1,140 kilometres of barren ice as they set out across Antarctica to the South Pole and back.
Back by popular demand, the REEL Youth Film Festival, runs Saturday under the festival title from noon until 2:30 p.m. at the Miners' Union Hall.
The international film screening includes work from Greater Trail youth James Klemmensen and Liam Barnes (Barefoot), Eric Gonzales (Seattle and Aviation) and Jordan Strobel (High Rise- Ski Edit).
Due to Rossland Council for Arts and Culture changing administrative hands, film submissions were only open to youth who previously submitted work to the U19 Film Festival, explained new program administrator Demitri Lesniewicz.
The Rossland Council for Arts and Culture is again planning a U19 Film Festival for early May, which Lesniewicz expects to be a success if the amount of local youth interest in filmmaking is any indication.
“I met Eric Gonzales the other day, one of our winners from the U19 Film Festival last year,” he said. “He is a talented filmmaker and a very motivated young man at that.
“He is currently filming the new Grey expansion for Red Resort. He is also doing work for the City of Rossland, and the City of Trail.”
The festival night will be capped off at 7 p.m. with a (no-minors) Nelson and District Credit Union Saturday Mountain Film and Party, featuring sounds from the Funk Hunters. One of Canada's busiest electronic acts is landing in Rossland for the night with their four turntables, high energy and lively visuals for a mash up of music, art and movie making.
New to this year's festival is a film and speaker forum on Sunday, the last day the festival runs.
The discussion at 3 p.m. at the Prestige will be led by a representative from Teck Trail Operations and Selkirk College will follow the screening of Gold Fever, a witness account of the arrival of Goldcorp Inc to a remote Guatemalan village.
“(The discussion) will tie between what's happened in that Guatemalan community to sort of the first-hand perspective of people in our local community,” said Guy.
For more information on the festival, visit http://www.rosslandmountainfilmfestival.com