Image by onkelglocke 

The holiday season may be wrapping up, but there is a gift still to be opened for movie buffs. The 12th Annual Reel Canadian Film Festival is taking place in Fernie from January 24 to 26 at the fully refurbished Vogue Theatre. Whether you’re an avid follower of Canadian filmmaking or you just appreciate fine cinema, you’re sure to be thoroughly entertained at this showcase of home-grown talent. The event will feature dramas, documentaries, and French-language films produced by the country’s top movie makers.

The festival opens on Friday night at 6:30 pm with a reception hosted by Himalayan Spice Bistro at The Grand Central. At 7:15 pm, the first film, James vs His Future Self, will be screened, followed by a Q&A session with the writer/producer, Jonas Chernick, at 9:30 pm.

On Saturday at 1 pm, the Little Reels Showcase will be presenting short films made by kids for kids. View the work of aspiring young filmmakers, aged 15 and under and you may be seeing the first cinematic offerings of the next great director, actor or producer. Each film shown is 1 to 5 minutes in length. Later into the evening, The Song of Names, an emotional detective story, will be screened at 7 pm, followed by the dramatic psychological thriller White Lie at 9 pm.

Sunday is the final day of the festival and will feature Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson And The Band, at 5 pm and Il Pleuvait des Oiseaux/And The Birds Rained Down, at 7:30 pm. In between the two film showings, at 6:30 pm, a closing reception will be held at the Vogue Theatre to wrap up 3 days of fine Canadian cinema.

This prestigious film festival is sponsored by The Reel Canadian Film Society, which honours the creativity, diversity, and independence of Canadian filmmakers and producers. Passes are available for purchase online. The cost of a weekend pass is $60 which includes admission to all screenings and the opening and closing receptions. 

If you’re looking for warm and superbly comfortable accommodations while in Fernie for a weekend of great cinema or other events, book your stay at Fernie Stanford Resort. You'll have many attractive room, suite or condo options with impressive amenities to make you feel right at home. Upscale features of the resort include an aquatic centre with a 166-foot waterslide, an indoor pool, hot tub, dry sauna, an awarding-winning restaurant, 24-hour fitness facilities and much more.