A new signature event is being launched at the Eagle Eye Theatre this August long weekend, drawing some of the top names in outdoor adventure.
The Squamish Mountain Film Festival (SQUMFF) promises exciting, never before seen film footage and the opportunity to listen to some of the world's best rock climbers' stories.
"This is the first of what hopefully becomes a signature event for the town of Squamish," said festival director Ivan Hughes. "In the future, I hope to grow the festival, adding more days to the event with more films and speakers, photo displays and competitions, climbing, mountain-biking, kite-boarding and kayaking clinics, panel discussions and symposiums."
The festival is offering presentations by world-class climbers Peter Croft and Sonnie Trotter and will provide the setting for the festival premiere of Hughes' films Back to the Wall - the story of quadriplegic climber Brad Zdanivsky's ascent of the Stawamus Chief's Grand Wall route - and University Wall, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first ascent of the Chief's University Wall route.
The idea for the festival came to Hughes during a visit to the Banff film festival.
"I thought that a Squamish festival could easily become a destination event as well," he said. "Something where people could come for the films and stay for the adventure."
SQUMFF is truly a made -in-Squamish event with Squamish-based organizers, films and speakers, who, despite their insatiable pursuit of adventure throughout the world, feel compelled to return. And as well as the films already mentioned, others from around the world will be featured both evenings.
Ever since Croft arrived in Squamish around the summer of 1976, he has satiated his appetite for adventure by climbing the boldest lines in the most daring style of any climber of his era. Croft's SQUMFF slide presentation, A Life of Adventure, will feature his thirst for the solace of the mountains, from the highest peaks to the depths of injury and back up again.
Croft leapt at the chance of returning to the town where he began his career.
"I know Peter through past projects," said Hughes. "I just asked if he'd like to come up to do some climbing and say hello to some old friends and give a show as part of SQUMFF. He loved the idea and said 'yes' immediately." Trotter has called Squamish home on and off for a number of years and recently achieved arguably the most difficult traditional climb in the world in Stawamus Chief Park. Trotter was caught on film while making this first ascent and will present the footage publicly for the first time during SQUMFF. But Hughes said Trotter seemed more interested in what the rest of the festival has to offer.
"He's especially excited about getting to see Peter's show," said Hughes.
Back to the Wall was filmed during quadriplegic climber Brad Zdanivsky's ascent of the Grand Wall in July 2005. The film was directed by Hughes and made its world debut on the CBC, Sunday, July 9
Hughes also created University Wall out of 1960s 8 millimetre footage he collected while making his award-winning debut film In the Shadow of the Chief. University Wall is a 10-minute short that is a tribute to the spirit of Glenn Woodsworth, Hamish Mutch, Tim Auger and Dan Tate, the first climbers to ascend the wall as university students in 1966.
Festival-goers can also learn more about local businesses, guides and volunteer organizations who will be promoting themselves in the Eagle Eye Theatre lobby.
This year's inaugural event is to be funded entirely by the festival's organizers, but despite the financial risk, Hughes seems confident.
"With the support the community has shown so far," he said, "I'm feeling much more at ease."
The SQUMFF presents University Wall and Peter Croft's A Life of Adventure on Friday (Aug. 4) at 7:30 p.m. Audiences can see Sonnie Trotter and Back to the Wall on Saturday (Aug. 5). Tickets are $17 at the door or $15 in advance.
