The Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) will host the 2024 Backcountry Film Festival on Nov. 15 at the Stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College in Courtenay. The festival runs from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 pm..

The Backcountry Film Festival is a collage of human-powered stories, snowsports and backcountry-inspired experiences which start conversations and action to communitie that celebrate the present while looking towards the future. 

The Backcountry Film Festival will help raise funds for SWI to operate two Information centres in Strathcona Provincial Park, Buttle Hut (at Buttle Lake), and Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre (at Paradise Meadows near Raven Lodge). These information centres help inform visitors about Trails & Natural History, leading Interpretive Walks & Hikes, produce Educational Talks & Workshops, create Educational Signs & Interpretive Maps, and SWI offers a TrailRider Program for those with mobility restrictions to enjoy what Strathcona Provincial Park has to offer. 

The information centres are staffed by volunteers and university summer students through Canada Summer Jobs grants. SWI is also at the forefront of research and data collection in Strathcona Provincial Park. This includes Floral and Faunal Inventories in the SWI Data Collection Project on iNaturalist, Adventure Science Reports of Wildlife Sightings and supports Current Research Projects (Canada Jay, Vancouver Island Marmots, Lichens, Bryophyte) and more.

Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time for a discount through . Remaining tickets will be sold at the door, $25 for Adults and $10 for Youth (16 & Under). Everyone who attends will be entered to win some draw prizes during the event.