What an incredible evening! The Great Divide Trail Film Festival in Calgary brought together more than 150 attendees for a night of adventure, storytelling, inspiration, and connection and, thanks to the support of our community, the event raised an amazing $7,820 in support of the Great Divide Trail Association.
We were honoured to have Mayor, Jeromy Farkas at the event, where he welcomed the crowd and spoke about the importance of the work that organizations like the GDTA do. His message focused on the power of community, stewardship, and the incredible people behind organizations that work to protect and connect people to the outdoors. It was an important reminder that, at the heart of it all, it is really about the people.
We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our emcees, Meaghan Underhill and Nathan Reitsema, who brought incredible energy, humour, and enthusiasm to the evening. Their passion for the outdoors and ability to keep the event flowing made the night even more memorable.
The festival showcased an outstanding lineup of films created by hikers, adventurers, and outdoor storytellers, each offering a unique perspective on life on the trail. A huge congratulations and thank you goes out to all of the filmmakers for creating such an unforgettable viewing experience for everyone in attendance.
A special shoutout goes to the audience favourite and Viewers’ Choice winner, Keiko Climaco, for her film Ups & Downs. The film clearly resonated with viewers and was a deserving winner of the evening.
We were also thrilled to welcome special guest speakers Greg Gerla and Greg Fulmes from Insight Creative Workshops. Their presentation was engaging, practical, and inspiring, giving attendees valuable tools and tips to improve smartphone photography and filmmaking skills. Their energy and expertise added an incredible dimension to the event.
Another highlight of the evening was having Latitude 55 Distillery onsite, offering samples of their Kakwa Rum. It was a fantastic addition to the atmosphere and a great way to celebrate the spirit of adventure and community that surrounds the trail world.
A huge thank you go to our lead sponsor, Durston, for their strong support in helping make the event possible. We are so grateful and honored to be on the same team as you.
We are also thankful to all of the businesses and individuals who generously donated silent auction items. Your contributions helped make the evening a success and directly support the continued work of the GDTA.
Lastly, events like this help fund the ongoing work of the Great Divide Trail Association, including trail maintenance, stewardship, advocacy, infrastructure projects, and connecting people with the outdoors.
To everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, submitted films, sponsored the event, or helped spread the word, thank you. Your support helps keep the spirit of the Great Divide Trail alive and thriving.
We are already looking forward to the next one!
Calgary’s Mayor, Jeromy Farkas