The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival returns for its 51st year this fall, and single tickets are now on sale starting at $20. The nine-day festival runs from October 31 to November 8, 2026, at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta.
More than 80 films will screen during the event, including World and North American premieres. Alongside the film lineup, the festival features live music from The Wardens, a Canadian band made up of former Banff National Park wardens. Their music blends folk, roots, and western styles drawn from lives spent in the mountain wilderness.
This year’s guest speakers include well-known climbers Barry Blanchard, Ines Papert, and Sarah Hueniken. British mountaineer Leo Houlding will headline a special fundraising event. Festival passes and weekend passes are also available for those planning to take in multiple days.
The film competition is offering $35,000 in cash and prizes, recognizing storytelling across adventure, climbing, environment, and snow sports. The book competition awards $26,000 annually, with seven prizes chosen by an international jury of writers and editors.
Free events are part of the festival as well, including talks on the Rab stage, outdoor patio parties with live music, exhibitions, and a festival marketplace. The 2026 presenting sponsors are Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Rab.
