Bulkley Valley residents will have the chance to see northern B.C. through the eyes of local filmmakers when a touring film festival arrives in Smithers and Hazelton this week.
Held annually by the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, the SkeenaWild Film Festival showcases short films and photographs celebrating the lifestyle and natural beauty of the north.
This year’s festival received a record number of entries with 20 films and 200 photographic submissions.
From those entries, a committee chose a selection to tour communities throughout the region.
Short films in this year’s festival range from action-packed, outdoor sports movies to artistic expressions of the northern wilderness, some using time-lapse footage and aerial imagery from drones.
SkeenaWild digital media specialist Quinn Barabash said the festival was about showcasing the magic of the area.
“It’s an opportunity for people to share their connection with this area with people from this area,” he said.
“We don’t turn a profit, we struggle to recover costs most years, but our turnout last year was phenomenal, closer to 700 people. “This year I hope to surpass that.”
The winners of the festival’s competition aspect will be chosen through a popular choice vote.
SkeenaWild is a charity dedicated to sustainability in the Skeena River watershed.
Festival screenings will be held at the Tritown Theatre in Old Hazelton on Nov. 12 and at the Della Herman Theatre in Smithers on Nov. 13.
Both events run from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.
They can be purchased from Mercedes Beans, Interior Stationary or Dawn2Dusk.