In years past Max Cameron Theatre has been filled to capacity for the two-night run of the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival tour.
The onset of COVID-19 has resulted in cancellation of the film festival’s appearance in January at the theatre, but filmgoers can still see this year’s world tour online.
Jim Palm, organizer and host of the world tour in Powell River, said proceeds from years past have gone to Brooks Secondary School, where he is a teacher, to help with a variety of programming. This year, by signing into the virtual tour using an affiliate link, Brooks can still benefit from part of the proceeds.
“For this year I have signed up for an affiliate link for Powell River, and it’s a part of the proceeds that people can pay online for the virtual program,” said Palm. “Those signing up can watch at any time starting on November 26.
“The proceeds from the affiliate link will support our students here.”
Palm said he wasn’t going to do anything this year because of the onset of COVID-19 but when he took a look at the virtual program, he said a number of patrons have been coming to the film festival tour for years.
“I thought we had better put something together and if it helps students here at Brooks, why not?” said Palm. He said the proceeds have helped students in a variety of ways, including students in need who are short funds for various items.
“It’s well used,” said Palm of the film festival’s proceeds. “We actually support a fund called the Ian Cowen fund, which is where the proceeds of last year’s program went. That goes to support students in need throughout the year.”
Palm said he has previewed the content of this year’s virtual world tour. He said the film festival has put together two virtual programs: one with eight films and one with nine. One is called the amber virtual program and the other is called the onyx program.
Palm has looked at the content of both and from his perspective for Powell River, the onyx program would be his first choice. Those signing up for the film festival can opt to take one program or the other, or a package deal with both.
Palm said those wanting to rent the programming can select the amber or onyx virtual programs for USD $15 for three days, or purchase the bundle with both programs for USD $28, and that permits a 14-day rental period.
“They can watch the films a number of times during the period,” said Palm. “Both programs are very well done, as usual with the Banff people. What I plan to do with my family, when I have my kids over Christmas, we are going to put together a Banff night, pop the popcorn and view the programs.”
Palm said it is disappointing that the film festival program, featuring action-packed footage, can’t be shown live in the Max Cameron Theatre.
“I really enjoy putting that on for the people of Powell River,” said Palm. “It’s a community event and I enjoy it because it kicks off the year with the right tone. We get to promote the outdoors here in Powell River. Powell River is built for this kind of thing.
“We’ll still bring the people of the community the Banff film festival and keep the fire burning, and hopefully, be able to bring it back next year as usual.”
The following is the affiliate link for the film festival: filmfest.banffcentre.ca/?campaign=WT-161095.
The festival magazine is also available online at banffcentre.ca/film-festival-magazine.
The world tour introduction video is online at youtube.com/watch?v=oT1w33vVXMY&feature=youtu.be.
