Embers & Ahon: Two Films to Celebrate the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival’s 50th Anniversary
It is an honour to share that two films close to my heart will be screening at the prestigious 2025 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival during its golden anniversary.
Ahon
Using climbing as a metaphor for the hurdles immigrants must overcome, Ahon recounts the rise of the K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta, a non-profit organization that helps Filipino Canadians reach new heights in the Canadian Rockies by providing access to education, equipment, and community.
It will be part of the Bow Valley Showcase on Sunday, November 9 at 10 am.
Embers
This sequel to Wild Aerial follows Sasha Galitski on a vulnerable journey after losing everything in the Jasper wildfire. She performs amidst burnt forests and receding glaciers, channelling her grief into a visually arresting journey of environmental advocacy. Embers will have its world premiere on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30 pm during the Børge Ousland, Vincent Colliard and Films block.
This screening is taking place in tandem with the festival’s Fire & Ice Symposium, a special 50th-anniversary event that explores the power of storytelling to inspire action on wildfires and melting ice. Sasha and I will be presenting Compassionate Storytelling: How to Light a Fire Without Getting Scorched during the Morning Session: Adventure on Wednesday, November 5.
Behind the scenes of Embers. Photo by Jenna Dixon.
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is a special one for me because it is where my documentary filmmaking journey began, and where I connected with my closest mentors and collaborators.
My transition into the doc world began at the Banff Centre Adventure Filmmakers Workshop in the spring of 2021. Taking that workshop in the spring and immersing in the festival the following November ultimately sparked my first two film projects, Wildflowers and Wild Aerial. It also introduced me to mentors like Michael Brown and Keith Partridge, who will continue instructing the workshop.
While attending in 2024 for the Wild Aerial and Wildflowers premiers, the idea for Embers began taking shape. Being at the festival also connected us with James ‘Q’ Martin of Q Stories (Embers Executive Producer), Kathy and Bradley from Beyond Boundaries Films, and Jimmy Hopper of Kahtoola — all major supporters of Embers.
There is always magic in the air at Banff. I’m looking forward to sharing Embers and Ahon with audiences alongside our teams. It is shaping up to be a big reunion and celebration and I hope to see you all there!
Tickets
Don’t miss your chance to see both films at the festival in person (dates below) or online from November 12 - 23, 2025.
EMBERS: Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30 pm | GET TICKETS
FIRE & ICE SYMPOSIUM - MORNING SESSION - ADVENTURE: Wednesday, November 5 | GET TICKETS
AHON (BOW VALLEY SHOWCASE): November 9 at 10 am | GET TICKETS