If you have an eye for outdoor photography, apply now for the 2024 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival’s Photo Rodeo.
The Photo Rodeo doesn’t involve horses or chuckwagons, but it might be as thrilling as any Alberta buck-em-off rodeo!
The event takes place on the Rab Stage in Banff’s Festival Marketplace starting on the evening of November 2.
The Photo Rodeo is a free, open-format public event intended to introduce the audience to lesser-known but talented local photographers and their work.
The eye-catching event is currently accepting applications from any outdoor photographers in and around the Rockies.
Outdoor photography includes wildlife, adventure sports, landscapes, or any outdoor photography related to mountain culture.
This year, the Photo Rodeo wants four photographers to present their most interesting stories from shooting in the field.
Did you come face-to-face with a family of grizzly bears while traversing the Rockies on a unicycle? Did you pee yourself waiting for the perfect shot of a great grey owl?
These are the kinds of stories the Photo Rodeo is looking for.
It doesn’t matter how ridiculous or heart-wrenching your stories are, so long as they capture the essence of the Rockies and the people, places, and wildlife that call the region home.
Each presentation will feature supporting photos from the photographers. Before the presentations start, acclaimed photographer Paul Zizka will give a brief introduction.
Zizka is a Banff icon and award-winning mountain landscape and adventure photographer based in Banff.
From wading waist-deep into a glacier-fed lake to climbing the peaks of the Rockies, Zizka is a talented photographer with his fair share of crazy stories to tell.
His work has been featured in National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Globe and Mail, the Wall Street Journal, Canadian Geographic, and many other popular publications.
Answering The Call
Zizka posted on his Instagram account that he wanted four local outdoor photographers to present their images at the Photo Rodeo.
“This is a terrific opportunity for Bow Valley photographers to put their imagery in front of a great crowd of like-minded people, right here in Banff, this November, as part of the Festival,” wrote Zizka.
This year’s Photo Rodeo marks the event’s second iteration and hopes to provide photographers a fantastic opportunity and platform to showcase their work.
“What a great event, a chance to share our adventures and journeys through images and stories among friends and community!” said Kristopher Andres, a photographer and participant from last year’s event.
“It truly is a highlight to hear how everyone works for that image of images, and the chance to share it on the big stage was a great adventure,” he continued.
If you are interested in applying as a photographer, you can apply here. The Photo Rodeo is free to attend, so why not check it out and support your local photographers?
If photography isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more to do at the Mountain Film and Book Festival, from October 26 to November 3.
Ticket prices for the festival, which will feature over 70 free events, including talks, exhibitions, and the Festival Marketplace, can be found here.
The Festival Marketplace is held from November 1 to November 3 and features something for everyone.
Attendees can browse and buy mountain books signed by authors, purchase mountain-related gifts crafted by local artisans, or try different food and drinks. The 2024 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is shaping up to be a great event for anyone passionate about the Rockies’ rich outdoor adventure, culture, and creative local talent.
