Do you have powerful footage of an epic mountain adventure woven into a gripping storyline? The 2007 Squamish Mountain Festival (SQUMF) wants to hear from you.
SQUMF is looking for the world's best mountain adventure films for its second annual event, being held July 13 to 21.
The festival is currently looking for films that are cinematically spectacular and have a strong storyline, and they can be about any aspect of adventure in a mountain environment - be they the best, boldest or most daring climbs, rides, jumps or lives lived. The competitive film festival awards prizes in four categories: Grand Prize, Best Film on Climbing, Best Film on Mountain Adventure and Best Canadian Mountain Film. More than 20 finalist's films will be screened in front of captivated audiences throughout the festival week, and over $2,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded.
"The Squamish Mountain Festival is the ultimate arena to showcase your film in front of an audience that truly understands and appreciates living the adventure," said director Ivan Hughes. "Situated in the 'Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada' during the peak of the climbing season, you can bet on an enthusiastic crowd."
In 2006, Squamish climbing legends and locals, some of whom were still carrying gear after a spectacular climbing day, gathered August 4 and 5 to celebrate in their own backyard at the first Squamish Mountain Festival. Produced by the duo behind Fringe Filmworks (In the Shadow of the Chief), Hughes and Angela Heck say that SQUMF's mantra is rapidly becoming "come for the films and stay for the adventure."
Capacity crowds packed the 2006 SQUMF events, which included slideshows and presentations by local climbing legends Peter Croft and Sonnie Trotter and provided 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.
This year, the film festival has partnered with the Squamish Climber's Festival to bring an entire week of speakers, films and presentations as well as competitions, clinics, trail runs, pancake breakfasts, yoga stretches and adopt-a-crag days.
Hughes says he hopes to add to the event with every passing year.
"I hope to keep the festival growing, 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," said Hughes.The 2007 SQUMF speakers list has yet to be finalized, but audiences can be sure it will include some of the world's top climbers presenting and take in the climbing. "It promises to be an exciting week," said Hughes.
Film submissions to the SQUMF will be accepted until Friday, May 18. Entry forms and information are available at www.squamishfilm.com. All proceeds made during the festival will go to the Climbers' Access Society of BC and the Squamish Access Society.
