Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival to open with a psychedelic October 31 presentation of Chris Benchetler’s Mountains of the Moon with live musical score

Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival will launch its 2026 festival with an unforgettable opening night event on Halloween featuring Mountains of the Moon, the acclaimed film experience from world-renowned artist, skier, and filmmaker Chris Benchetler, live musical score, and a pre-show costumed patio party.

Taking place in the Jenny Belzberg Theatre on Saturday, October 31, the screening will be elevated beyond traditional cinema with a live musical score performed by Denver-based famed Grateful Dead tribute bandleader Ross James of the Terrapin Family Band, transforming the film into a one-night-only immersive cinematic experience.

Created and directed by Chris Benchetler, Mountains of the Moon is a visually stunning exploration of imagination, creativity, and the transformative power of the mountains. Blending spectacular skiing, dreamlike cinematography, and an evocative, timeless soundtrack, the film invites audiences on a journey where adventure, art, and music merge. Captured almost entirely at night using cutting-edge cinematography, lasers, animation, and projection mapping, the film leads viewers on a surreal journey through ocean, river, and mountain landscapes.

Narrated by famed mycologist Paul Stamets, Mountains of the Moon also features surfer Rob Machado, skiers Sam Kuch and Michelle Parker, rock climbers Alannah Yip and Hamish McArthur, mountain bikers Carson Storch and Hannah Bergemann, freediver Kimi Werner, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, and more. 
 

The Opening Night celebration begins before the theatre lights dim. Guests are invited to kick off Halloween at a pre-show patio party, arrive in costume, and enjoy craft cocktails from Wild Life Distillery, the festival’s 2026 Intermission Sponsor. After the film concludes, audiences will keep the party going with a second set of Ross James and guest performers following intermission.

Opening Night also features a separate ticketed event – a live performance by The Wardens in the Margaret Greenham Theatre. Hailing from the Canadian Rockies, the band's songs and stories are inspired by the landscapes they've spent their careers protecting as Canadian national park wardens. Dubbed "the quintessential mountain-culture concert experience," The Wardens deliver a performance that captures the spirit of the mountains.

The Mountains of the Moon opening event is included in the Chomolungma Festival Passes and Opening Weekend Passes. Single tickets are on sale now for $48 to $56.  

Please visit banffmountainfestival.ca for more festival information.

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About Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival: Created 51 years ago, Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival has become the premier event of its kind in the world. The nine-day festival hosted by Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Canada, showcases the world’s best films, books and photographs on mountain subjects – climbing, culture, environment and natural history, exploration and adventure, wildlife, and sport – and attracts the biggest names in mountaineering, adventure filmmaking, and explorers as presenters and speakers. An international jury will also award over $40,000 in prizes for films and books submitted to this year’s Festival competitions. banffmountainfestival.ca    

Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival Partners: The 2026 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival Presenting Sponsors are Rab and Banff and Lake Louise Tourism. The festival is also supported by YETI, Oboz Footwear, World Expeditions, The Lake Louise Ski Resort, Grangers, SLY Foods, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), Bluetti, Clipper Ventures, Arc’teryx, Durston Gear, Wild Rose Brewery, and Wild Life Distillery.

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a post-secondary institution built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and leadership development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creative decision-making across dozens of disciplines. From our home on Treaty 7 territory in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to move everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, thinkers, and audiences – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to build an innovative, inspiring future through education, performances, convenings, and public outreach. banffcentre.ca