Go trekking with the Fernie Mountain Film Festival

Go trekking with the Fernie Mountain Film Festival

Here in Canada, we’re blessed to be surrounded by all kinds of natural beauty: raging rivers, vast forests, sparkling lakes and towering mountains. Ah, mountains. It’s fitting that Fernie, a town in the shadow of the majestic Rockies, would play host to the 7th annual Fernie Mountain Film Festival, taking place February 21 to 23. The three-day event is “dedicated to filmmakers who spark awareness of mountain cultures, fragile environments, and the passion and perseverance of global explorers.” That’s good news for movie goers, who can expect some of the world’s top outdoor cinematography on display at the Fernie Community Centre. The festival kicks off Thursday with a local talent night, featuring submissions by local filmmakers. Friday features the headline film Congo: The Grand Inga Project. Follow a group of adventure junkies as they battle to be the first to descend Congo’s Inga Rapids, the tallest rapids in the world. Saturday is a double-header. The mountain biking documentary Where the Trail Ends is followed by a special lecture by Leo Grillmair. A pioneer of mountaineering in British Columbia, Grillmair will be regaling audiences with stories and images of B.C’s beautiful Bugaboo Provincial Park. There’s lots more excitement in store, so lace up your hiking boots and head over to the Fernie Mountain Festival! ($25 for all-access pass, tickets available at ferniefilmfestival.com)