With all the uncertainty going on in the world right now, there’s one thing that I know for sure…and that is that I am so grateful and thankful for the community that I live in and the people that make Boone the most magnificent place to call my “forever home.” This is why I created the Banff Boone 2020 | In-Home Film Festival.

Before I moved to Boone, NC back in 2005, I didn’t get much exposure to the outdoors.

I was more of a city girl and I still have the 5” pointy-toe heels to prove it!

But all that changed when I discovered this wonderful mountain town and how much I love outdoor recreation. 

We live in one of the most beautiful places and I try my best to not take it for granted. 

Right now, we’re all being asked to distance ourselves from one another and stay home.

We’re being asked to uproot our routines and find a new normal.

We’re being asked to trust that this too shall pass. 

We know in our hearts things won’t always be like this. 

But the disruption to our lives is a lot to manage.

While I’m not saying it’s a good thing to flat out ignore what is happening.

I do believe that we could use a little distraction from the frenzy that is causing some major anxiety.

One of the things that we “Boonies” look forward to every year is the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.

But, like everything else, this event has been canceled much to the dismay of our tight-knit town.

We know it’s for good reason but we’re still sorely disappointed, rightfully so.

This gave me an idea. 

How about I create an easily accessible film playlist with the adventurous, adrenaline-filled, heartwarming movies that will inspire us.

I know we can’t physically come together but we can collectively gather in our own homes with our families and have watch parties simultaneously.  

Let’s create our own in-home film festival experience that will leave us feeling in tune with those things that are greater than what we’re going through right now.

Staying connected is more important than ever. Don’t you agree? 

I have screened at least 30+ hours of films over the last week or so to curate a list that I personally feel are full of adventure, engaging, quirky, beautiful, and thought-provoking. 

While some of them are, indeed, Banff Mountain Film Festival winners and/or finalists, some of the films on the 2019/2020 tour are not readily available for licensing reasons so I had to improvise a bit.

There’s not a whole lot I can do right now but stay put like the rest of us so this is my contribution to give.

This is a project I was excited to put together and share with the Boone community as well as those from afar that aren’t familiar with our beloved film festival.

Whether you’re obsessed with adventuring in the outdoors or not, these films are all well worth viewing and are sure to get you feeling inspired and thinking of the world around you, how interconnected we all are, and the impact that you have.

Things won’t always be this way. We’ll get through it together, day by day. And we will come out stronger in the end because of it.

Stay adventurous, my friends!

So, how will this work exactly?

INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ACCESS

1️⃣ You will access films via YouTube. I have created 2 separate playlists, one for Night #1 & one for Night #2. If you have a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, etc. there’s an app that you can download. Alternatively, you’ll be able to access from a computer, laptop, or smartphone if you don’t have the option of watching through your TV.

2️⃣ The link to the playlist(s) to stream the videos online will be released on Friday @ 5:00 PM & Saturday @ 5:00 PM. In an effort to keep all the info in one, easily accessible place, the links will be shared here on my website in this blog post.  

3️⃣ Here’s a link to Banff Boone NC 2020 Night #1. Here’s a link to Banff Boone NC 2020 Night #2. BONUS FILM | Night #3 | Artifishal

Banff Boone NC 2020 Night #1

Banff Boone NC 2020 Night #2

4️⃣ Once you have the link(s), you will add the playlist(s) to your YouTube profile or watch here. On YouTube, use the plus (+) button to add the playlist to your account so that you can stream the films using the device of your choosing. 

5️⃣ I have also created a basic, text-only printable program in Google docs that you can print out if you’d like so that you can introduce/announce each film like they do at the regular film festival event. Choose an outgoing family member to be the announcer. Have fun with it! Here’s a link to the photo program pictured below.

6️⃣ The films are meant to be watched back-to-back in the order that I have arranged them but you do you, boo. I won’t judge. There is also supposed to be a 20-minute intermission after watching films for 70-80 minutes before the second half begins—check the program to see when the break is supposed to start. I also invite you to join in and chat with others participating and watching along in the FB event about your favorite films during the break and/or after you have watched the movies. Here’s a link to the Banff Boone 2020 | In-Home Film Festival FB event.

[ C H E C K L I S T ]

• Be sure to adjust the quality to 1080p in the YouTube settings. 
• Turn on closed captioning in English (some films have subtitles).
• Make popcorn & have snacks & drinks on-hand!
• Start @ 7:00 PM sharp if you want to watch w/ others.

7️⃣ RELAX + ENJOY + SHARE THE LOVE! 💕 My hope is that this collection of movies will bring you all some joy in the same way that Banff has for me over the last 10+ years that I’ve been attending the film festival and help us to embrace the stillness that’s essential during these uncertain times. 

Please share this post with all your friends and family that are staying cozy and safe at home right now. They might enjoy a fun movie night! These films are family-friendly, however, some may have bits of profanity sprinkled in here and there if that is something that may be bothersome.

8️⃣ If you have any questions, please let me know! I also invite you to comment and tell us what some of your favorite films were once you’ve had the opportunity to watch them! Here’s a link to the Banff Boone 2020 | In-Home Film Festival FB event if you’d like to take part in the discussion.

BANFF BOONE NC 2020 | IN-HOME FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM