FAQ
2023 Festival in Banff + Online
Below you'll find answers to your questions about buying passes and tickets, details on how to watch the films, safety measures, and more.
Join us for nine days filled with tales of remote journeys, ground-breaking expeditions, and remarkable achievements, told by adventurers, photographers, authors, and filmmakers from around the world. #epicadventuresindoors #nineepicdays
Note: Our ticket platform for live events is not the same as the platform to purchase online tickets. If you have not purchased online film festival programs in the past few years, you will likely need to create a new account for online passes or rentals.
FAQ: Festival in Banff
Where do I buy tickets for shows at Banff Centre?
Visit our Passes and Tickets web page to find out more.
Where do I buy tickets for shows at the Lux?
Film screenings at Lux Cinema Banff are now on sale.
Visit the Lux website: luxbanff.com
Where do I buy tickets for shows at artsPlace?
Film screenings at artsPlace are now on sale.
Visit the artsPlace website: artsplacecanmore.com
Will there be a Festival Marketplace?
The Festival Marketplace is bigger this year, with more exhibitors, Grab and Go food, and the new RAB Stage with free talks and presentations!
The Marketplace will run from November 3-5 in the Kinnear Centre (2nd floor).
Find out more about the Festival Marketplace.
Can I buy live tickets and an online pass at the same time?
No, all tickets and passes must be purchased separately depending on the venue.
Banff Centre tickets from Banff Centre Box Office (online or by phone).
Lux Cinema tickets are sold from the Lux website.
artsPlace tickets are sold from artsPlace website.
Online passes and programs are sold from watch.banffcentre.ca/filmfest. The watch page was updated Oct. 4 with the film finalists!
Can I book a room at Banff Centre?
The Banff Centre hotel will have limited rooms available during the Festival.
A ticket order confirmation from the Banff Centre Box Office will be required to make a reservation.
Find more information about Accommodation and Partner Offers.
What’s your refund policy if I’m feeling unwell?
We do not offer refunds or returns. You might have to give your ticket(s) to a friend.
For any questions, contact the Box Office at box_office@banffcentre.ca.
FAQ: Online Films
I’m having technical problems with the platform.
Check out our technical help page (This 2022 page is for reference only, our 2023 page will be updated by October 23) for lots of useful information. If you don't find the answer you need on the help page, you can contact Customer Support via the live chat function on the help page between 7am and 11pm MT during the Festival.
What platform is being used for online films?
https://watch.banffcentre.ca/filmfest
We’ve created a video-on-demand platform where you can stream Festival films and world tour content. At different times of the year, there will be different content on this platform – but the festival will be at its usual time of year, October 28 to November 5, with films available online until November 8 - that's 12 days of watching films during the Festival in Canada and USA!
The platform can be viewed on a web browser, so you don’t need to download any other software before viewing it. If you’d like to get a feeling for what the viewing experience is like from the web, you can check your device compatibility.
We have a number of apps available - iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Roku TV and Apple TV. Learn more about the Banff Mountain Festival app.
Apps are not required for any viewing - any purchase can be watched directly from your web browser; however, when watching on other devices, they will improve your viewing experience.
Do I need an account to access the platform?
Yes - You will be prompted to create an account when you make a purchase. This will save your purchase history and make it easy for you to see all of the content available for you.
If you haven't watched films online since June 2022, you may need to create a new account. You will be prompted to login/create an account when you make your first purchase on the new platform.
I tried logging in with my existing Festival online platform account but it's not working.
Please note that because we changed platforms in June 2022, you will need to create a new account if you haven't watched films online this past year. You will be prompted to login/create an account when you make your first purchase on the new platform.
I tried logging in with my existing Banff Centre Box Office account but it won’t work for me.
Our platform is not connected to the Banff Centre Box Office.
You’ll need to create a new account for our platform - you will be prompted to create an account when you make your first purchase on our online platform.
How can I watch content on the platform?
You can watch via the website, or if you’d prefer to watch on a different device, please download the "Banff Mountain Festival" app from the app store after October 28.
Learn more about the Banff Mountain Festival app.
Content can only be purchased through the website, and then you can log into your account and watch via the apps. How to Purchase an Online Film Pass.
Check out the Smart TV information on the help page for more details about watching on Smart TVs.
How long will I have to watch festival content?
Content may be released at different times throughout the 9-day festival. For full details view the online films release schedule. (pdf)
Some films will be available for the full duration, some will be released throughout the week and be available until the end of the festival, and some will have restricted viewing periods (e.g. 48 hours only). Once you've started watching, you will have 24 hours to finish any content you've started.
The viewing period for all content running until the end of the festival will end at 11:59 pm MST on November 8, 2023.
I want to buy a Gift. I see there’s an option for gifting on the checkout page, how does that work?
When buying an online pass you can gift the purchase through the main purchase page. click the pass you like to buy and then select "Give as a gift".
When can I buy passes to the festival, and when can I watch programs?
Online film passes will be available for sale on October 5.
Passes are not available outside the Canada or USA.
Content will be released from October 28 (some content will have restricted viewing periods and will be released throughout the festival).
There are two passes available, based on where you'll be viewing festival content during the festival from October 28 through November 8:
Canada: If you'll be in Canada, purchase the Canada pass for access to films screening in Canada
USA: if you'll be in the USA, purchase the USA pass for access to slightly fewer films, so the price will be adjusted accordingly.
Individual programs will be available for sale from October 28, and the program description will state the available viewing period for each program. Some programs will be available for the full 9 days of the festival, while others will have restricted viewing periods.
Visit our Passes and Tickets web page to find out more.
Will I get an email confirmation following my purchase?
Yes you will receive a confirmation after your purchase.
If you don't notice confirmation emails/ notifications coming to your inbox from Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival please ensure you are checking the spam and junk folders.
If you are still having issues please contact the support team via the chat on the help page. (Available after October 5 once passes on sale?)
Can I watch the Festival on my mobile/ tablet device?
Yes! We have a number of apps available.
Visit our Mountain Festival App page for more information!
