World Premieres at VIMFF 2025
We are thrilled to announce the line-up for the 28th annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, running in-person February 21 – March 4 and online February 21 – March 23.
Dr. Jeff will be especially impactful for the Sea to Sky climbing community, showcasing the dedication of a talented local climber. Director Trevor Vaughan follows emergency physician and elite climber Jeff Yoo in a pursuit to find balance. With the most valuable assets being the tips of his fingers, Jeff looks to branch out into all disciplines of climbing while also prioritizing his family life. Jeff describes the intricate parallels between emergency medicine and climbing and the resilience it takes to succeed in both environments. Dr. Jeff is not only a story of family and success, but also a story of struggle and strength. See Jeff in various environments, where detail and patience are key in the pursuit of perfection.
Dr. Jeff is playing at Rock Climbing Show & Squamish Climbing Show.
Endless Horizons is an adventure documentary and a call to action, pushing boundaries and spotlighting the need for inclusivity in sports and outdoor activities. Through a remarkable solo triathlon across Quebec, Anabelle Guay embarks on a 1,350-kilometer journey: 800 km of bikepacking, 300 km of hiking, 250 km of ocean rowing. This expedition is more than a physical feat; it’s a profound statement of courage and determination. Anabelle’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through perseverance and resilience. Aimed at inspiring the public, outdoor industry professionals, and young athletes alike, challenges us to envision a world where everyone feels welcome in the outdoors — where every horizon can be explored.
Endless Horizons is playing at World Adventures.
Without a Pedal is the sequel to Johan Rosen and Nicholas Khattar’s debut film Without a Paddle: A Canoe Film about Snowboarding. After collecting a few fellow broke and stoked stragglers with a hunger to go North, the team is tasked with the unenviable chore of pedalling wholly unsuitable bicycles from Terrace, British Columbia to Haines, Alaska. Strapped for cash or better ideas, the team embark on a gruelling 1,300km bicycle journey. With snowboards and a keyboard in-tow, they must rely on their wit, resilience, humour, and occasional dumb luck to overcome treacherous terrain, unpredictable weather, and their own limitations. Will they reach Alaska or will the wilderness and the road prove too much to handle?
Without a Pedal is playing at Comic Adventures & Squamish Adventure Show.
The Warm Up – Three climbers arrive at a boulder intended to be their warmup climb. Vinny goes first but his failed attempts slowly turn his positive demeanour into a frustrated humiliation. Fall after fall, his anger grows as day turns to night. Vinny still hasn’t completed the climb as other climbers arrive to witness the meltdown. One year later, chaos has turned to serenity as Vinny meditates by the V0 boulder. He seems to have finally found inner peace. Will he finally send The Warm Up?
Return of the Great Bear is an inspiring story of people coming together to make a difference for wildlife and what it takes to make change. Featuring Chief Councillor of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation Douglas Neasloss, renowned bear biologist Wayne McCrory, and pop icon Miley Cyrus, this short documentary explores the past and potential future of grizzly bear conservation with stunning wildlife cinematography from Ian McAllister.
Return of the Great Bear is playing at Pacific Wild Shorts.
Ravinos takes us back to Vail, Colorado in the early 1970s, where the Ravinos challenged mainstream culture and sparked a revolution in extreme skiing. Identifiable by the iconic flaming skull insignia patches on their cutoff denim jackets, the Ravinos gained prominence by hosting parties on St. Patricks Day to showcase inverted aerials. The crowds grew bigger and rowdier and eventually led to them being shutdown by the authorities. After a 30-year hiatus, descendants of the original Ravinos discovered their parent’s patches. With a new vision of becoming ambassadors for the mountain, they have carefully regained access to the original location and continue to fight for acceptance and belonging.
Ravinos is playing at Ski & Snow Show.
Silent Sanctuary travels to Hornby Island, British Columbia, one of many warming coastal regions where kelp has vanished. In response to the loss of these vital sea forests, a small team of marine biologists and local divers, known as the Kelp Rescue Initiative, has taken action to restore kelp populations along the island’s shoreline. In a groundbreaking study, the team experiments with planting different genetic variations of kelp from warmer regions in hopes of discovering a strain that can withstand the rapidly rising water temperatures. Their research is continually challenged by storms, predators, and the harsh underwater environment, which damage their sites and slow their efforts.
Silent Sanctuary is playing at Environmental Film Night.
Ahon – Not available online, so be sure to watch in-person! This film received the 2024 VIMFF Film Grant, presented by Arc’teryx. In Filipino, “ahon” means to rise, emerge, or break through a surface. Ahon is a short documentary showcasing how the Filipino-Canadians of K8 Mountaineering Club band together to reach dizzying heights — all while breaking barriers for their “kababayans” (fellow Filipinos) and celebrating Filipino culture in Canada’s mountains.
Ahon is playing at Ski & Snow Show.
