The Georgia Straight proudly sponsors the 15th annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival

Don’t be fooled by its name. The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival doesn’t take place on a mountaintop. Instead, the nine-day film festival screens unique outdoor and mountaineering movies that would otherwise not be seen by many of B.C.’s adventure enthusiasts.

This year’s 15th annual festival takes place from February 10 to 18 at three Lower Mainland venues: the Centennial Theatre (2300 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver), the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway), and the Pacific Cinematheque (1131 Howe Street).

Josh Harlin III: Swiss Borders Adventure opens the festival on February 10 at the Centennial Theatre. This documentary film takes audiences to the icy Swiss boarder, where author and adventurer Josh Harlin set out to do a three-month, 1,200-mile journey in 2010. However, 11 days into his hike, Harlin broke both his feet during a 50-foot climbing fall.

Other VIMFF program highlights include a breathtaking film on climber and base jumper Steph Davis called Earth to Sky; the inspiring I Believe I Can Fly (Flight of the Frenchies), which looks at two friends who test the boundaries of free flight; Canadian director Ivan Hughes’ Soul of the Sea, which tracks 40-year-old Hayley Shephard’s solo kayak around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia; and Jason Kruk: Alpine Artist and Hayden Kennedy: If you’re going to be dumb you better be tough, which both close the festival on February 18.

All screenings start at 7:30 p.m., with doors at 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending on the venue. Single tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at 604-984-4484.