A home-grown festival that showcases the work of several local film makers and photographers returns to Hope Saturday, April 9.
The second annual “Vagabond Filmshow” will feature eight to 10 short films, along with still photographs and music created by local outdoor adventurers. Organized by Dan Pereda and Justin Brown, the films celebrate skiing, hiking, canoeing, snowboarding, ice/rock climbing, tarp surfing, and paragliding. Says Pereda,
“The idea is to grow a local outdoor film culture and use it to showcase our beautiful back yard.”
Indeed, audiences will recognize many of the wilderness areas around Hope where these films were shot.
Pereda wants to see the film festival develop “in a grass roots manner”, so he encourages any local film makers to contact him or Justin Brown and submit their work to the festival.
Brown agrees. “This will not be limited to the pro’s. There are many good cameras nowadays and many creative minds operating them”. Topics and techniques are diverse — one of this year’s submissions is a piece of animation.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the purchase of audio-visual equipment that can be used by film makers to pursue their craft. In this way, the Vagabond Filmshow seeks to nurture the film-making culture that will provide new content for the event. From Justin Brown’s perspective, it’s also about building community pride.
“I just want to show off where we live and how fortunate we are to be here”, says Brown.
When asked what inspires him to make outdoor films, Pereda says he enjoys “traveling through all of this terrain in so many different modes and elements, and some how finding a way to get punished every time”. This film night lets you share in the punishment, as well as the humour, thrills, and inspiration of outdoor adventure.
The Vagabond Filmshow takes place at Hope Golf Course, where a cash bar and prizes will be on offer. Tickets are at the door ($10) and the show begins at 7:30 p.m., April 9. For more information, call 604-863-2222 or 604-869-9022.