Submitted by Jason Hamilton… on
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Sarah Caulfield

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Soprano Sarah Caulfield is a recent M.Mus graduate from the University of British Columbia. For her portrayal of Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), she was hailed by Opera Canada as “a singer to watch ... her voice was brilliant and full, with floating high notes and effortless coloratura.” Other credits include the title role of Rusalka, Frau Fluth (Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor), Corinna (Il viaggio a Reims), Giulietta (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Casilda (The Gondoliers), Fiordiligi (Cosi fan tutte), and the Madame in Shadow Catch, a Noh theatre inspired Canadian chamber opera. In the latter half of 2025, she will join Good Mess Theatre as Suzy in La Rondine at the Edmonton Fringe Festival, and the Vancouver Island Symphony as the soloist for their Bella Italia concerts.
Concert highlights include solo appearances with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Traditional Christmas tour), Richmond Orchestra (Fauré Requiem), Bach on the Rock (Handel Messiah,) and the UBC Early Music Ensemble. Having a multifaceted passion for the arts, she’s worked as a music instructor, choral section lead, and stage technician. Besides singing, she enjoys trivia, crafts, and spending time outdoors.

Submitted by Jason Hamilton… on
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Kate Pasula

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A multidisciplinary artist whose creative journey spans across Canada, Kate Pasula has made her home in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario throughout her career. Her experience as a choral performer has taken her to incredible places across the world, where the effects of creating and sharing music and stories significantly shaped her artistic path and commitment to a career studying and practicing the performing arts.
Kate holds a Master's degree from the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto. She practices as an actor, playwright, singer, and dancer, complemented by her work as a seamstress, potter, and painter. 
Behind the scenes, Kate has worked as a stage manager with Metro Theatre Vancouver and as a production manager with Prime Stock Theatre Company in her hometown of Red Deer, Alberta.

Assistant Stage Manager

Submitted by Jason Hamilton… on
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Grace Ivey

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Grace Ivey, originally from rural Alaska, is an emerging stage director based in Montreal. She received her Bachelor’s of Music in classical vocal performance at McGill University. During her time at McGill, Grace performed roles in multiple productions with Opera McGill. Grace’s passion for storytelling and theater, combined with her background in classical singing, drew her to opera stage directing. Grace received a professional certificate in opera direction through Ithaca College where she staged scenes from Dialogues des Carmélites and studied with Chuck Hudson. She then returned to McGill where she completed a graduate diploma in opera stage directing and studied with Patrick Hansen. As part of her diploma, Grace directed a production of Dialogues des Carmélites and assistant directed Sawyer Craig’s production of Blond Eckbert and David Gately’s production of The Light in the Piazza.

Assistant Director

Submitted by Jason Hamilton… on
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Gillin Gallow

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Gillian is a set and costume designer based in Toronto, and her work has been seen across the country and internationally.  Most recently she designed costumes for Why Not Theatre’s Mahabharata which toured Canada, England, Australia and New York City, USA. She has designed for the Canadian Opera Company, Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival, Soulpepper, Canadian Stage, The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, The Citadel, Theatre Calgary, and The National Arts Centre. In 2021 she received the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, in 2018 she received the Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award for Costume design, and she’s also received a Meta award and four Dora Mavor Moore awards. 

Set Designer
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The Handmaid's Tale
About the Program

Content Advisory: This opera closely follows the themes and narratives of the original novel with imagery and scenes of sexual and physical violence reflective of the dystopian setting (including depictions of rape and hanging). Viewer discretion is advised.
For a full list of content notes 
please contact Audience Services.
 

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People Reading Festival Guide

Make the most of your time at the Festival! 

Whether you're here for all nine epic days or a single show, this section has everything you need to plan your visit and how to get the most out of the Festival! 

Be sure to pick up a copy of the 50th Anniversary Festival Guide! 
$10 | 116 Page Special Edition keepsake magazine
A-Z list of films, speakers, full schedule, Festival and World Tour History, articles, and more. 
Available to purchase:  
Jenny Belzberg Theatre Lobby, bars, Festival Marketplace, Maclab Bistro, and artsPlace
See details below under 'Merchandise'. 

 
View A-Z List of Films

Want to learn more, watch videos, listen to podcast, read articles: 
Trailhead Story Hub

Page Summary
Find out more about tickets, food options, getting around, hotels, and more! Make the most of your Festival experience.
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People Reading Festival Guide
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Tickets and Passes
FAQ

Get Tickets and Passes Online

Online

View Schedule | Get Tickets

Tickets and passes can also be purchased directly through our online ticketing platform. 

Lux and artsPlace

Tickets for events at Lux Cinema Banff and artsPlace Canmore will be on sale October 2.

Banff Centre Box Office

Online

The best way to book is online. 

If you need assistance, please phone at 1.403.762.6301 or 1.800.413.8368

By Phone 

By Phone

Tues/Wed/Thurs
12 - 4 pm (MT)
Outside of these hours, please leave your name, number, and a brief message.

In Person

For all Festival events, Banff Centre Box Office will be open 45 minutes prior to shows. 

Jenny Belzberg Theatre Lobby 
Nov. 1-9 
Mon-Fri | 12 - 5 pm
Sat/Sun | 8:15 am - 4 pm 

Other Venues: The on-site Box Offices will open approximately 30 minutes (CLVB'33) and 45 minutes (Max Bell) before shows. 

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Accessible Events
FAQ

Which events are accessible?

Accessible Programs

The following programs are accessible for D/deaf and hard of hearing audience members. These programs will have on-stage ASL interpretation for live aspects of the presentations (speakers and MCs) and open captions on screen. 

Nov. 7 | 3- 4:30pm | MBA
Cassidy Randall and Greg Hill - Book Program

Nov. 7 | 7:30 pm | MGT 
Feature Film

Nov. 8 | Afternoon
To be confirmed 

Nov. 8 | 7:30 pm 
Wade Davis

View Accessible Events

Accessibility Requests

If you require any accessibility accommodations, please advise our Box Office as soon as possible to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Looking for a quiet place on campus? 

Check out the Reading Room in the Elder Tom Crane Bear Room in the Max Bell Building.
 

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Getting Around
FAQ

By Foot, Bike, Car.

Banff Centre is located on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain, easily accessible from downtown Banff but still off the beaten path. 

Maps and Directions
Campus Map

Here's how to reach us:

On Foot

Campus is a 15-20 minute walk from Banff up the Ken Madsen path. Prepare for stairs!

By Bike

If the weather is okay, you can still bike in October! The best way to access campus by bike is on St. Julien Road. Banff Centre has plenty of covered bike parking.

By Car

Parking is limited during the Festival and space is not guaranteed. There is a free parkade, but audience members may need to park on Tunnel Mountain Drive and walk to theatre venues. 

Travellers from outside of Banff can easily access Banff Centre off Highway 1 and Banff Avenue. 

By Bus | Free Festival In-Town Shuttle

FREE Shuttle Nov. 8-9

Park downtown and use the free Banff Airporter Festival shuttle on November 8 and 9. 
Once you're in Banff, getting around was easy with Banff Airporter's FREE shuttle service during the Festival.

Morning Shuttle

Service 7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Last one departing Jenny Belzberg Theatre at 1:50 PM 
(Depart every hour and half hour. e.g. 7:35 AM and 8:05 AM from Ptarmigan Inn.)

  • Depart Fox Hotel & Suites 00/30
  • Depart Banff Ptarmigan Inn 05/35
  • Depart parking lot behind Mt Royal Hotel 10/40
  • Arrive Banff Centre Jenny Belzberg Theatre 15/45
  • Depart Jenny Belzberg Theatre for downtown hotels 20/50
     
Evening Shuttle

Service 5:00 PM-12:30 AM
Last departure from Jenny Belzberg Theatre is at 12:20 AM

  • Depart Fox Hotel & Suites 00/30
  • Depart Banff Ptarmigan Inn 05/35
  • Depart parking lot behind Mt Royal Hotel 10/40
  • Arrive Banff Centre Jenny Belzberg Theatre 15/45
  • Depart Jenny Belzberg Theatre for downtown hotels 20/50
     

Visit Banff Parking to find out about more parking locations in Banff. 

We thank our valued partner Banff Airporter for their support of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival.

By Bus | Take the Roam Transit

Avoid the parking headache.
Take the Roam Bus throughout the Festival between Canmore, Lake Louise, and Banff.

Show your festival ticket and ride FREE between Nov. 7-9! 

Banff - Canmore Regional Service Route 3
Banff - Lake Louise Express Route 8X

Special FREE Festival Roam: 

Banff High School Transit Hub to Banff Centre
Nov. 1-2 and 7-9 
Between 1:30 -11:30 pm (Service every 15-20 min.)


View Roam Schedule


Explore Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise with Roam, which offers the following transit routes year-round: 
Banff and Canmore Local Services
Canmore-Banff 
Lake Louise-Banff

By Bus | Calgary Airport - Banff

Banff Airporter Shuttle

The easiest way to get to Banff—no rental car needed!
We’re excited to partner with Banff Airporter, our preferred travel partner, to make your journey from Calgary International Airport to Banff as smooth as possible.

Special Deal Just for You:
Enjoy 15% off Banff Airporter's comfy, reliable shuttle service which runs 11 times daily, so you can land and relax on your own schedule.

Use Promo Code: BMFBF2025 
Valid for travel dates: Oct. 29 - Nov. 12, 2025

To book your shuttle:
1.    Head to Banff Airporter and click Book Now.
2.    Fill in your travel details.
3.    When you reach the final payment page, enter the promocode BMFBF2025 into the "Promo Code?" box and your discount will be applied.
Please note that shuttles can fill up fast, so book at least a month in advance to guarantee availability.

1.888.449.2901 | 1.403.762.3330

Once in Banff, guests could take advantage of our FREE shuttle service on November 8 and 9 between Banff hotels and the Festival at Banff Centre.

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Exhibitions | FREE
FAQ

Exhibitions at Banff Centre

Sharon Lockhart
Walter Phillips Gallery | Until January 7, 2026

Ascents
Tessa Lyons (UK)
Max Bell Building Lobby | Until September 2026

Joint Exhibition: Jean-François Delhom (Switzerland) & Paul Zizka (Canada)
Max Bell Building (Outside) | Until November 24, 2025

Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition
Grand Prize: The Silent Death Mine
Javier Arcenillas (Spain)
Laszlo Funtek Building Wall | Until September 2026

GlacierWorks
David Breashears (USA) 
Jenny Belzberg Theatre (outside) | Until November 24, 2025

Also don't miss: 
Gallery Hop 
November 1-9, 2025
In partnership with Banff Culture Collective, enjoy a self-guided discovery of Banff's cultural spaces in your own time. banffculturecollective.com

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Festival Food
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Festival Restaurants

Get your Festival visit started by exploring our two renowned dining options for a pre-show bite and beverage. 

Our menus reflect both our local flavours and our international community. Executive Chef Sebastien Tessier works with suppliers who prioritize environmental sustainability, ensuring every dish isn't just delicious but thoughtfully sourced.

Maclab Bistro

At this casual fine dining restaurant, you can grab a coffee in the morning, chat about films over a drink in the evening, and everything in between. Our beloved burger is the centrepiece of the à la carte menu, which also features an impressive selection of craft cocktails and mocktails.

Open Daily
7 AM - 1 AM MT
Find out more at banffcentre.ca/maclab-bistro

Vistas Dining Room

Spectacular wrap-around views give this buffet-style restaurant its name. Vistas Dining Room is home to a diverse menu that changes daily, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. And it's great for groups!

Open Daily
Breakfast: 7 AM - 9:30 AM MT
Lunch: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM MT
Dinner: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM MT
Find out more at banffcentre.ca/vistas-dining-room

Festival Grab & Go Food

Reminder: Bring your own cup for water or coffee! 
Water stations will be available throughout the Festival, and we will not be providing single-use plastic cups for water. Let's try our best to be mindful of waste. 

Looking for something quick between shows? 

Check out these options on campus at Banff Centre.

Maclab Bistro (Nov. 1-9)
Le Cafe (Nov. 1-9)
Festival Marketplace Kiosk (Nov. 7-9)
Happy Hour BBQ (Stay tuned for more details! Nov 7-9)

Happy Hours | Throughout the Festival

Wild Happy Hours hosted by Wild Life Distillery and Wild Rose Brewing

Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Patio
Drink specials and sampling, live music, and campfire conversations! 

Nov. 1 | 5 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 2 | 5 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 3 | 6 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 6 | 6 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 7 | 6 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 8 | 5 – 7:30 pm


ACC/YETI Happy Hour

5 – 7 pm | KCCI 2nd Floor
Purchase your signature Festival Yeti for a minimum $30 donation, receive a complimentary beverage provided by Wild Rose Brewery and Core Values Cider Co. Proceeds support the Alpine Club of Canada Environment Fund.


 

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Festival Marketplace + Merch
FAQ

Marketplace Hours

Autographed books, events, latest gear, apparel, mountain gifts, and more!

Banff Centre, Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation, 1st and 2nd floor

Nov. 7 | 4 – 7 pm 
Nov. 8 | 10 am – 7 pm
Nov. 9 | 10 am – 5 pm

Marketplace Info & Exhibitors


 

Festival Merchandise

Festival merchandise will be available for sale during the festival! 

Merchandise includes Rab jackets, retro t-shirts, YETI ramblers, hats, journals, festival posters, and our special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Guide. 

2025 Festival Guide 

$10 | Special edition keepsake magazine.
This guide has everything you need to know about the Festival, including the A-Z list of films and guests speakers, the full schedule, plus articles about the history of the Festival, and so much more! 
Available to purchase: 
Jenny Belzberg Theatre Lobby (Box Office, bars, concession), Maclab Bistro, and the Festival Marketplace. 

Festival Merchandise Booth

Quantities of all items are limited!

November 1 and 2: Jenny Belzberg Lobby | 12-9:30 pm
November 3: Jenny Belzberg Lobby | 6-9:30 pm
November 7-9: Festival Marketplace during opening hours, second floor KCCI

 

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Stay at Banff Centre | Hotel
FAQ

Special Festival Rate from $244 per night!

Transform your time at the Festival into a relaxing night or weekend away! 

Stay in the heart of the Festival! 
From $244 per night plus fees and taxes

Every stay includes complimentary WiFi, parking, and admission to the Walter Phillips Gallery. You also receive membership access to the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation facilities, including a climbing gym, weight room, and aquatic centre.

NOTE: Festival tickets or passes must be purchased in order to book a room at Banff Centre. 
Have your confirmation number handy when making a hotel booking. 

Book a Room 
 

Professional Development Centre

A cozy, lodge-style retreat with a stone fireplace lobby and a variety of available room sizes, Professional Development Centre is home to our front desk. 

Lloyd Hall

Renovated with contemporary design, queen-size beds, and accessible showers, Lloyd Hall is located steps from the Sally Borden Building, so it's ideal for both relaxation and recreation.

Come for the Festival.
Stay for the view.

Book a Room

Submitted by Kootchin Akcinya on
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Sébastien Montaz-Rosset Headshot

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Sébastien Montaz-Rosset is an award-winning filmmaker and certified high mountain guide with over 20 years of experience across the most demanding alpine environments. With unique dual expertise in extreme sports and cinematic storytelling, he has directed and produced more than twenty expedition films and documentaries featured on global platforms such as Netflix and Disney+. A pioneer in immersive mountain cinematography, Sébastien explores the raw, emotional, and technical extremes of outdoor pursuits, often working alongside elite athletes in unforgiving terrain. His instinctive approach to filmmaking brings viewers directly into the action, combining visceral imagery with modern narrative techniques. Over the last five years, Sébastien has increasingly focused on biodiversity and the protection of fragile ecosystems, creating films with his creative and life partner Davina Montaz-Rosset through their production company, Montaz-Rosset Studio

Submitted by Kootchin Akcinya on
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Dina Mufti Headshot

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Dina Mufti is an award-winning Director, Producer, and Film Curator working at the intersection of traditional and XR storytelling. Specialising in cross-cultural narratives, she brings together diverse worldviews to create powerful, globally resonant films and experiences.

From the wilds of Mongolia to the High Himalayas, Dina has produced acclaimed documentaries for the BBC, National Geographic / Disney, Netflix, Red Bull, and SKY. She’s also an award-nominated audio producer and recipient of the BBC Director General’s Award for Creativity.

Dina has served on the jury of the Grierson Documentary Awards, The Royal Television Society, and the Kathmandu and Kendal International Mountain Film Festivals.  Ten years since her last visit to Banff, she’s delighted to return as a jury member and connect with the new wave of bold outdoor innovators and storytellers.

Submitted by Kootchin Akcinya on
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Ben Sturgulewski Headshot

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Ben ‘Sturge’ Sturgulewski grew up on a rugged and remote island in Alaska’s Aleutian Chain, inspiring a life dedicated to the exploration of the world’s wild side and the people who call it home. Ben has created a portfolio of award-winning short films that have appeared in festivals around the globe, taking home dozens of awards for cinematography, editing, creativity, and storytelling — as well as overall Grand Prizes and Audience Awards. He has directed, filmed and edited acclaimed content for clients such as Patagonia, Arc’teryx, YETI, Rivian, NFL Films, and Red Bull. Ben has produced a library of Vimeo Staff Picks, and his ski film Valhalla was recently named "The Greatest Ski Film of All Time" by Outside magazine. His collaborations with brands, agencies, production houses, and passion projects continue to take him on new and unexpected adventures around the world. Champions of the Golden Valley, his first feature documentary, follows a ski team in Afghanistan both before and after the collapse of the country. The film had its World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in 2024, and screened at dozens of renowned film festivals worldwide, amassing over 20 jury and audience awards. When not on the move, Ben splits his time between the mountains of Anchorage, Alaska, and Boulder, Colorado.

Submitted by Kootchin Akcinya on
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Ava Karvonen Headshot

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A thirty-five-year industry veteran, Ava’s work has seen more than 160 worldwide screenings and received more than 70 awards.  She is a second-generation filmmaker who began her career working on wildlife films with her father. Her work as a director includes Lessons From the Sunflower, the cross Canada CBC special Keeping Canada Alive; Homefront for Global; The Lie Detective; Seeds of Change: The Eco Story; seasons one and two of the APTN series Chaos and Courage; and Albert Karvonen:  Philosophies on Life, Nature and Wildlife Filmmaking. Her works, Finding Bobbi, Wochiigii lo: End of the Peace have received critical acclaim. 

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