Image: Hope Mountain Centre / 2024 / Flickr / The historic theatre's doors will creak open for one more evening to host what could be the last VIMFF showing in Hope.

By Alyssa Conti

HOPE FILM FESTIVAL

Hope Cinema hosting annual Mountain Film Festival, possibly for final year

Mar 29, 2025 | 10:04 AM

HOPE — Hope Mountain Centre is bringing back a beloved community event for what could potentially be its last year.

The Centre’s annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) will be screening later in April, with another round of films about hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and more.

After over a decade, the fundraising event has grown into a warm gathering.

“It’s a program that brings together [residents of] Hope and surrounding communities to come and enjoy some really incredible films about mountain adventure overall,” said Kristine Pérez De León, the Hope Mountain Centre executive director.

“We have a bunch of exhibitors that come and talk about the services and products that they have […] We have a silent auction that helps us raise funds with donations from local businesses, so it’s a great way for local businesses to showcase what they do.”

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Hope Cinema has been home to the VIMFF screenings since their inception, but as the historic theatre faces an uncertain future, so does the event.

“Until we can find something else locally that has professional quality equipment, this will be our last year of the film festival.”

Firing up the machinery one last time

The Centre has played around with the idea of hosting the event elsewhere at first, but Pérez De León said no other venue could match the theatre’s screening quality. With the building still looking for new ownership, the Hope Mountain Centre took a chance.

“We reached out to the building owner and just said, ‘Can we rent it from you for the day?’ and they agreed.”

The event won’t be running at the same capacity, especially with limited resources and a much shorter deadline– going from months of planning to just a few weeks.

“We’re not going to have the full concession, but we’re getting some popcorn to use the machine that’s still there,” she added. “The building is there as it was; it just hasn’t been operated.”

“So we’re, you know, firing up all the machinery and using it like it were running.”

Source: L. Klassen / Flickr / A packed theater at the Hope Mountain Centre’s 2012 VIMFF screening in Hope Cinema.

The screening raises funds for local outdoor initiatives like trail-building and outdoor recreation programs, environmental education and conservation projects.

“If anyone’s interested in contributing to the event, it’ll be really helpful, especially with it being a lot more difficult to secure and plan this year,” said Pérez De León. “We’re a little bit behind.”

Hope Mountain Centre is still looking for event sponsors and auction donations. Anyone looking to contribute can reach out to kperezdeleon@hopemountain.org.

Tickets are also available online or in-person at Blue Moose Coffee House and Baker’s Books. Doors are set to open once again at the 80-year-old Hope Cinema on April 25 at 6 p.m.