Clayoquot Action is stoked to host a virtual rendition of their annual Tofino Adventure Film Festival (TAFF) this weekend, Friday March 12 to Sunday midnight March 14.
TAFF is a 2.5-hour celebration of mountain culture, outdoor adventure, environmental and Indigenous film. Tickets start at $10 for a solo film watcher, and can be purchased online at: clayoquotaction.org.
Festival curator Keegan McColl says TAFF is action packed with 10 films that are all about showing the beauty of the natural outdoor environment and what it takes to protect it.
“There are three awesome local films. Cabin Fever is a locally made film by local surfers. They are shaping their own boards from start to finish. It’s a really fun film about amateur creativity about figuring out how to shape a board and the pure love for surfing,” McColl says.
“And then we have Happy Recluse in the line-up, which is an awesome story about local legend Pete Devries and his quest to find an even more remote and perfect wave.”
TAFF will showcase two unique Indigenous films.
“One is animated short by Billy Frank Jr. of the Nisqually Tribe about the story of the salmon. It’s just a really beautiful piece that reminds of the interconnectivity of the salmon and the world around us. There is also a really epic Indigenous skateboard film out of the Apache reservation down in the states,” notes McColl.
Leading up to the festival, McColl said he captured micro segments of the jovial Clayoquot Action volunteer Spencer Binda introducing each film.
“We’ve done this adventure short film fest at the Legion for the last seven years and we always sell out. This year, everyone can take part in the fun and can split it up and watch it whenever they want,” he adds.
During the film fest, there is also an online auction that’s open for festivalgoers and anyone who want to support Clayoquot Action’s wild salmon conservation programs. The auction features about 25 items from West Coast businesses, including three vacation packages, a wetsuit and treat baskets. Check it out at: charityauction.bid/forwildsalmon.
“It’s incredible, the community support for this festival,” says McColl.
Ten per cent of all proceeds made from the TAFF and the Wild Salmon Silent Auction will be donated to Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
“That’s such an important part of the story here in Clayoquot Sound. We operate in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory and the film festival is hosted on Tla-o-qui-aht territory. It’s really important to incorporate them into the festival,” says McColl.
In addition to hosting an inaugural virtual film festival, Clayoquot Action has a new, modern website.
“We are entering the digital age,” McColl says with a laugh. “Modernizing our digital strategy will engage more people and this will be crucial as we fight the good fight in Clayoquot Sound.”
Clayoquot Action co-founder Bonny Glambeck sits in solidarity with Indigenous leaders and supporters during a Tofino demonstration for equality and human rights. (Nora O’Malley photo)
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