Miss Banff in Sandpoint? Film fest showing in CdA
Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko tell a story of extreme physical hardship in 'Into the Cayon'. The film stretches across the bonds of friendship and the timeless beauty of the Grand Canyon at this year's Banff Film Festival. (Photo Courtesy of Pete McBride)
Surfer Dan proves that with dedication, grit and a little creativity adventure can be found out your backdoor. The film 'Surfer Dan' plays as part of the Banff Film Festival in Coeur d'Alene this weekend. (Photo Courtesy of TK Merrell)
Sandpoint’s Michael Boge has lobbied in Banff, Alberta, for years to bring mountain films to the big screen in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing it since I was 5,” said Boge, an accomplished business owner and avid skier, as he chuckled.
Consider all that work worthwhile. It’s film fest time today in Cd’A.
Every fall, Boge travels to Banff with other diehard outdoor enthusiasts to immerse himself in an international film competition featuring the world’s best footage on mountain culture, sports, and the environment. The festival launched in 1976 as The Banff Festival of Mountain Films by The Banff Centre. In 1986, the festival embarked on its first world tour, a tradition that now brings select top of the line outdoor films to communities around the globe.
Coeur d’Alene will be carried away on a kayaking, mountain climbing, bicycling adventure of the heart tonight and Sunday evening at the North Idaho College Schuler Performing Arts Center in Boswell Hall.
Doors open today at 6 p.m. with films beginning at 7. Doors open Sunday at 5 p.m. with films beginning at 6. Cash or check tickets are available in Coeur d’Alene at Tri State Outfitters, The Camera Corral, The Art Spirit Gallery, Mountain Madness Soap Company, Capone’s, and Vertical Earth.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
“For our area, for Coeur d’Alene, we’re so lucky,” Boge said. “People can ski and boat. We have a big running and biking community. I have 26 films over three nights and try to include all those subjects. Not just ski movies, but all outdoor activities that people here love.”
Each night will have a completely different film lineup.
The tour usually includes an animated film and this year is no exception.
“Hors Piste is probably the best animation I've seen,” Boge said. “It follows two mountain rescue workers and really grabs the way that culture operates.”
Boge spends his winters on Schweitzer Mountain as a member of the ski patrol. He also owns North Idaho’s Burger Express restaurants.