Banff has the Banff Mountain Film Festival. So does Telluride. And Aspen too. But with our amazing sense of the outdoors right here in the Beehive State it only makes sense that we Utahns have our own Wasatch Mountain Film Festival.

For the first time ever, the WFF will debut with films that showcase the artist’s passion for the outdoors.  The collection of shorts will feature extreme adventure in addition to environmental and social messages from not just Utah but all over the world.

The submissions poured in from major organizations like RedBull, Teton Gravity Research, and Sherpa Cinemas who sponsor creative artists that are able to capture the passion we feel every day in the outdoors.

See this epic ride on the big screen. 

There ‘s The Northface’s : Mica to Greenland snowboarding flick and TNF documentary Always Above Us about U of U grad and hardcore mountaineer Conrad Anker; 2014 International Freeski Film of the Year Almost Ablaze, and Sorry I Traveled from Utahn’s own Eric Bennett who traveled around the world to score his footage.

Sure you can watch these films on YouTube and Vimeo but there’s something to be said for watching it on a big screen with a couple hundred of your peers.

The WFF was inspired by Wasatch Mountain Arts- a new non-profit formed to “create a bond between the community and the outdoors by inspiring an active and sustainable lifestyle through film, art, literature, and events.” It takes place in conjunction with the Spring Adventure+Gear Fest at the Sandy Expo Center and your Friday ticket to the expo gets you a ticket to the films.

In addition to the screenings there will be an artists lounge exhibiting the art of some of the most talented authors, painters, and photographers in Utah. Whenever possible the artists will be around to discuss their work, answer questions, and conduct book signings, giving you the opportunity to interact with the Wasatch Mountain Arts community.

The film festival takes place Friday, April 17, the opening day of the two-day Spring Adventure+Gear Fest. If you are a fan of the Outdoor Retailer Show, this ain’t it, but it’ll do for most consumers. There are booths from Utah’s outdoor stores as well as a mountain bike and fat bike demo track, mini climbing tower for the kids and a public mega ramp for BMXers.

Last year, you could see everything you needed to in about an hour but the event continues to grow. The expo runs from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday,10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday. Buy tickets for the film festival by visiting www.adventuregearfest.com or www.wasatchmountainarts.com/events. Film Fest Tickets come with free access to the expo portion of the Adventure+Gear Fest, plus chances to win great gear and prizes.

 

Tickets to the Adventure+Gear Fest cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 13. Online discounts and group packages for families of four and five are also available.