FAQ

This year we’ll be celebrating the legacy of the festival as well as looking forward to where we’ll be going in the future. You can expect a packed roster of incredible films, speakers and panel discussions, more community celebrations, and a full calendar of free events. 

A significant part of our celebrations will be the Fire and Ice Symposium: The Stories We Tell, which will be held on November 4 and 5. This public symposium will be exploring storytelling in sharing knowledge and moving people to positive impact and action. We will bring together scientists, filmmakers, authors, photographers and educators to share their projects and the mediums they use to communicate for change. The symposium will focus on two areas of environmental change that are significant and relevant to the Bow Valley – changing ice and wildfire. This event is in partnership with Canada’s celebrations of the United Nation’s International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. 
 

The full schedule will be announced by August 7. The schedule layout will be very similar to the 2024 Festival Schedule. 
See 2024 schedule for reference.

Here is an overview for 2025 to help you plan your visit: 

Nov. 1-3     Opening Weekend: Daytime films, opening night guest speaker and films (Nov. 1), Snow Show (Nov. 2) and Radical Reels (Nov. 3) 
Nov. 4-5     Fire and Ice Symposium –The Stories We Tell 
Nov. 6-7     Daytime Book Events: Events all day featuring guest speakers, authors, and adventurers sharing their stories
Nov. 6         Evening Book Awards, Guest Speaker & Films
Nov. 7-9     Closing Weekend: Evening Guest Speakers and Films (Nov. 7-8), Daytime film screenings (Nov. 8-9), Festival Marketplace (Nov. 7-9)
Nov. 9        Best of the Festival Awards Night and Films

Plus througout the Festival: 
Nov. 1-9    Film screenings at partner venues Lux and artsPlace as well as FREE events over the nine days including talks on the Rab Stage during the Festival Marketplace. 

Individual tickets will go on sale on August 7. 

The Festival Passes that are on sale from April 3 are a great option if you’re planning to come for a full weekend or to experience the whole festival for nine epic days. 

Yes, the Banff Centre hotel looks forward to welcoming you during the festival, although space is limited so we recommend that you book early! 

A ticket order confirmation from the Banff Centre Box Office will be required to make a reservation. 
Passholders will be sent a booking link following the purchase of a festival pass. 

Banff Centre Hotel special Festival rates will be from $244 CAD/per night plus fees and taxes.

Yes, the Festival Marketplace will be back once again, including the Rab Stage, which will have a full schedule of free talks, panel discussions and presentation. 

The Marketplace will run from November 7-9 in the Kinnear Centre (1st and 2nd floor).

Nov. 7 | 4 - 7 p.m.
Nov. 8 | 10- 7 p.m.
Nov. 9 | 10 - 4 p.m.
Opening and closing times are subject to change. 
 

We do not offer refunds or returns. You might have to give your pass or ticket(s) to a friend if needed.

For any questions, contact the Box Office at box_office@banffcentre.ca.

Yes, we plan to have festival films available from November 12-23 following the festival this year. 

We encourage you to join us for the live theatre experience in Banff, then you can catch up on films you’ve missed the week following! Films available online will be announced with the film program on October 2, and online passes will be on sale on October 9. 

No, all passes or tickets must be purchased separately from online purchases. We will not be selling online film passes (to watch some films at home) until October.  

Banff Centre Passes are purchased via the Banff Centre Box Office (online or by phone).