2025 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Don't miss 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. #nineepicdays
Below you'll find answers to your questions about the 2025 Festival passes, Marketplace, and more as well as online films!
Note: Our ticket platform for live events is not the same as the platform for watching online films at home.
If you have not purchased tickets or passes to live events recently, you may need to create a new Banff Centre Box Office account.
Online Films
I’m having technical problems with the platform.
Check out our technical help page 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.
Technical Help
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 online from November 12 until November 23 (with some exceptions) - that's 12 days of watching films following 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 have participated in the online festival or Banff On Demand since 2023, you should already have an account.
I tried logging in with my existing Banff Centre Box Office account but it won’t work for me.
Our online film viewing 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.
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?
Online films will be available to watch from November 12th at 9:00 AM MT through November 23rd at 11:59 PM MT, with some exceptions when required by the film’s distributor. Be sure to check the availability dates listed on the watch page for the online film you want to see.
Will I be able to download content?
No, the content will only be available to stream through the platform.
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 would like to buy and then select "Give as a gift".
Enter the email address of the person you want to send the pass to. Click Continue. You will then be asked to enter your credit card information to purchase. When the purchase is complete, your friend will receive an email with their gift.
When can I buy passes to the festival, and when can I watch programs?
Online film passes will be available for sale from October 9-16.
Passes are not available outside Canada or the USA.
Content will be available from November 6 at 9:00 AM MT through November 13th at 11:59 PM MT, with some exceptions when required by the film’s distributor.
There are two passes available, based on where you'll be viewing festival:
Canada: If you'll be in Canada, purchase the Canada pass for access to 78 films screening in Canada
USA: if you'll be in the USA, purchase the USA pass for access to 74 films screening in the USA, so the price will be adjusted accordingly.
Individual programs will be available for sale from November 12, and the program description will state the available viewing period for each program. Most programs will be available for the full 12 days of the online festival, while others will have restricted viewing periods.
What currency will rentals be in?
Festival film rentals will be priced in Canadian dollars and US dollars.
Note: US dollars will be adjusted slightly since a few less films will be shown online in USA.
How many different devices can I watch on?
The online films pass is intended for single household access.
More than one device can be logged in at once and be watching different content simultaneously.
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.
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!
Why are some films only available in Canada?
Due to requests from filmmakers, some films and programs may be restricted to Canada.
The price of the festival pass for passholders in the US has been reduced to reflect that there is less content available in the pass for viewers in the USA.
Festival in Banff
How is the 50th Anniversary of the Festival being celebrated?
This year we’ll be celebrating the legacy of the festival as well as looking forward to where we’ll be going in the future. You can expect a packed roster of incredible films, speakers and panel discussions, more community celebrations, and a full calendar of free events.
A significant part of our celebrations will be the Fire and Ice Symposium: The Stories We Tell, which will be held on November 4 and 5. This public symposium will be exploring storytelling in sharing knowledge and moving people to positive impact and action. We will bring together scientists, filmmakers, authors, photographers and educators to share their projects and the mediums they use to communicate for change. The symposium will focus on two areas of environmental change that are significant and relevant to the Bow Valley – changing ice and wildfire. This event is in partnership with Canada’s celebrations of the United Nation’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
What is the schedule of events?
Mountains of events and activities throughout nine epic days!
Here is an overview for 2025 to help you plan your visit:
Nov. 1-3 Opening Weekend: Daytime films, opening night guest speaker and films (Nov. 1), Snow Show (Nov. 2) and Radical Reels (Nov. 3)
Nov. 4-5 Fire and Ice Symposium –The Stories We Tell
Nov. 6-7 Daytime Book Events: Events all day featuring guest speakers, authors, and adventurers sharing their stories
Nov. 6 Evening Book Awards, Guest Speaker & Films
Nov. 7-9 Closing Weekend: Evening Guest Speakers and Films (Nov. 7-8), Daytime film screenings (Nov. 8-9), Festival Marketplace (Nov. 7-9)
Nov. 9 Best of the Festival Awards Night and Films
Plus througout the Festival:
Nov. 1-9 Film screenings at partner venues Lux and artsPlace as well as FREE events over the nine days including talks on the Rab Stage during the Festival Marketplace.
When are tickets on sale?
Individual tickets are on sale from August 7.
The Festival Passes are a great option if you’re planning to come for a full weekend or to experience the whole festival for nine epic days.
Passes and Tickets
Can I book a room at Banff Centre?
Yes, the Banff Centre hotel looks forward to welcoming you during the festival, although space is limited so we recommend that you book early!
A ticket order confirmation from the Banff Centre Box Office will be required to make a reservation.
Passholders will be sent a booking link following the purchase of a festival pass.
Banff Centre Hotel special Festival rates will be from $244 CAD/per night plus fees and taxes.
Will there be a Festival Marketplace?
Yes, the Festival Marketplace will be back once again, including the Rab Stage, which will have a full schedule of free talks, panel discussions and presentation.
The Marketplace will run from November 7-9 in the Kinnear Centre (1st and 2nd floor).
Nov. 7 | 4 - 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 | 10- 7 p.m.
Nov. 9 | 10 - 4 p.m.
Opening and closing times are subject to change.
What’s your refund policy if I’m feeling unwell?
We do not offer refunds or returns. You may transfer your passes or tickets to a friend if needed.
For any questions, contact the Box Office at box_office@banffcentre.ca.
Will Festival films be available online this year?
Yes, we plan to have festival films available from November 12-23 following the festival this year.
We encourage you to join us for the live theatre experience in Banff, then you can catch up on films you’ve missed the week following! Films available online will be announced with the film program on October 2, and online passes will be on sale on October 9.
Should I wait to buy a Festival Pass and Online pass at the same time?
No, all passes or tickets must be purchased separately from online purchases. We will not be selling online film passes (to watch some films at home) until October.
Banff Centre Passes are purchased via the Banff Centre Box Office (online or by phone).
How can I volunteer for the festival?
Our volunteer applications for the 50th Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival open July 2025. More information can be found on our volunteer page, here.