The Interior News
www.interior-news.com
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
A&E
A29
newsroom@interior-news.com
Backcountry Festival raises $11,000 for SWCC From DAWN on A28 More than that, Harris and his co-organizer and business partner Damien Kern hope to continue to build and promote an outdoor winter lifestyle in Smithers and the surrounding area. “I moved to Smithers because I want to live in a ski and snowboard town. “I want to build that town and make more events like this happen and ingrain that lifestyle into our culture a bit more.” Harris said the duo also have plans to host a local winter film festival, featuring films from Smithers residents at some point in the future. “We would like to give a big thank you to the community as a whole, for supporting us and
to all the local businesses who donated to this cause,” Harris added. The films on offer were selected back in late summer by a panel at a festival in Boise, Idaho. Now in its ninth year, the Winter Wildlands Backcountry Film Festival aims to entertain while helping to raise funds and awareness for Winter Wildlands. The Backcountry Film Festival travels to more than 100 locations worldwide. Smithers and Nelson are the only two Canadian destinations on the schedule for this year’s festival. During it’s winter run, the Backcountry Film Festival is viewed by more than 20,000 people across North America and raises more than $110,000
each year for local organizations in each given community. Films shown on Saturday evening were from the Valhalla Film Festival in Idaho, and included the winners in various categories, including: Best of Festival: Valhalla is the tale of one man’s search to rediscover the freedom of his youth; Best Conservation Film: Bolton Valley, the story of how a small community fought to save their beloved ski area; and Best Short: Bigger, Braver. Filmmaker Luc Mehl turns the camera on a young female athlete who shares her insight into the courage and strength involved in seeking big mountain adventure. Film festival organizers plan to continue the fundraiser next year.
Hundreds came out to the Hudson Bay Lodge on Saturday evening to watch a series of short films with backcountry skiing themes. The movies on offer were selected by a jury at a film festival in Boise, Idaho, in November 2013.
Nolan Kelly photo
Damon Garcia
Hailo Harleigh Hilbach
Candice & Rodney Garcia
Cecelia Mowatt & Jamie Hilbach
Feb 14 - 5 months
Feb 26 - 6 months Larissa & Lorin Desautels
Winner of $100 Gift Certificate from
Winner of $100 Photo Package from
May 23 - 6 months
Winner of $100 Bank Account from
Hunter Desautels
Jasper Alfred Oct. 22 2 months Eva Williams & Marvin Alfred
Bulkley Valley CREDIT UNION
Della Alton May 25 5 months Lauren Boddy & Richard Alton
Kennedy Besner May 29 7 months Mindy & Randy Besner
Lucas Dennis Oct. 2 2 months Rebecca Patrick & Robert Dennis
Hunter Desautels Feb. 26 6 months Larissa & Lorin Desautels
Olivia Eller Sept. 18 3.5 months Rachel & Jordan Eller
Olivia Grose April 1 6 months Bailey & Andrew Grose
Kaileigh Hodson April 14 8.5 months Brandi & Everett Hodson
Elana Grace Hoover Sept. 10 3.5 months Laura & Alex Hoover
Adelynn Junkin Nov. 26 1 week Lyndsey & Chris Junkin
Brooklyn Minard Dec. 18 3 days Erin & Peter Minard
Caoimhe Nama Sept. 23 2 months Carolyn & Charles Nama
Scott Purnell Feb. 28 7 months Dayna & Ryan Purnell
Emma Sketchley July 16 2.5 months Rebecca & Josh Sketchley
Emma Stroet April 27 6 months Mindy & Allan Stroet