Contributed by Neills Kristensen, Executive Director, Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier
The Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier hosted their second annual Mountain Roots Film Festival this past week-end to an appreciative and supportive crowd. Movie-goers enjoyed the 13 featured films, including film entries all around British Columbia, and attended the Best of the Fest where film makers received awards and prizes for best films.
“Filmmakers from around British Columbia showcased mountain culture, adventure and life. Strong community support made for a great second year and we look forward to next year!” said Neills Kristensen, Executive Director of the Friends and Festival Coordinator. “We promised an exceptional festival and we delivered. I think everyone will be inspired to start creating films.”
At the Best of the Fest, audience members were treated to highlights from the festival, comments from film makers and showed their appreciation for their favourite films. The jury judging this year’s film entries was made up of the “Friends” Association and community members. They were all in agreement that the films entered were of high quality and this made their job of selecting winners very difficult.
This year’s grand prize and people’s choice award winner was The Pipedreams Project directed by Faroe Des Roches and Ryan Vandecasteyen. The film featured the story of three friends kayaking 900 kilometres from Kitimat to Vancouver in opposition to the controversial Enbridge Northern Gateway
The Pipedreams Project from Ryan Vande on Vimeo.
Pipeline proposal. Leaving the city behind for adventure and the exploration of the isolated and dangerous coast of B.C., they immerse themselves completely in one of the last truly wild places on Earth.
This year’s award winners include:
Best Professional Film: Sonnie Trotter – Crescendo directed by Alex Lavigne
Best Short Mountain Culture Film: The Uphill Baker directed by JoAnne Alaric
Best Novice Film: Welcome to Revelstoke directed by Adrian Kiernan
Best Youth Film: G.A.S.P directed by Ewan Urquhart
Best Short Film: Railway Humour directed by Michelle Cole
Jury Special Mention-:
Long Stories about Short Love directed by Heather Lea
A World to Conserve directed by Conor Hurley
The Mountain Roots Film Festival was just one of many great events that were happening during Revelstoke Spirit Festival February 3-12, 2012. The festival was lead by the Revelstoke Arts Council.
The Friends of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks is an independent organization created to help preserve and promote our parks’ natural and cultural resources for present and future generations. The association funds a variety of projects ranging from research grants and bursaries to local publications, events, educational programs and courses.