There’s something special about life in the Bow Valley. Whatever your outdoor passion, there’s an outlet for it here. Hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, rock climbing, ice climbing–you name it. We’ve got some of the best in the world.
But even more than our shared passion for the outdoors, it’s the sense of community that really connects us. And at Eclipse, we’re grateful to play a role in that story: bringing people together over our passion for specialty coffee. Our cafe locations are a place for our friends, peers, and fellow adventurers to gather, chat, and plan what’s next.
So what’s next in November? The Banff Mountain Film Festival, of course! The 50th anniversary of BMFF is happening between November 1 and 9, and Eclipse will be there, providing coffee samples and support to filmmakers, viewers, locals, and out-of-town visitors.
Bow Valley Coffee Culture: Where Adventure and Art Meet
Here in the Bow Valley, we’re fuelled by our love of the outdoors… and excellent cups of Eclipse coffee. This magical combination has also created a community of incredible local artists, many of whom have had their work featured on the walls of Eclipse over the years. It’s one piece of what makes living here so inspiring. Someone is always ticking a new goal off their bucket list, or working on a new creative project. And, chances are, some of that trip planning and project producing happened right here, at Eclipse!
Every year, our Bow Valley community continues to reach new heights (sometimes literally). You keep pushing the boundaries in outdoor and creative pursuits, showing what’s possible when passionate (and sometimes highly caffeinated) individuals set their sights on the most beautiful mountains in the world. We love being involved in that process.
Eclipse Coffee Roasters: Canmore’s Community Hub for Creativity and Connection
At Eclipse, we're inspired by your accomplishments. Whether they take place in the mountains, on the rivers, at Elevation Place, in front of a microphone, or on your computer, your hard work and dedication pushes us to keep elevating our craft. That includes everything from how we roast our beans to the way we design our products.
Most recently, that meant rethinking our packaging. We just switched to new post-consumer recycled coffee bags, as part of Eclipse’s ongoing commitment to circularity in the cafe.
When we first envisioned Eclipse, what came to mind was great coffee (of course) and community. We hoped to create a place for our peers and visitors to gather, enjoy a good brew, and share something special. Getting to watch as you plan your next big send, edit your new feature film, or simply catch with friends is one of the best things about what we do. We love being your favourite caffeinated community hub. Seriously.
Supporting local artists has been our priority from the beginning. From showcasing your art on our cafe walls to supporting events like the Banff Film Festival, it’s all part of Eclipse’s commitment to community.
The Art of Coffee Meets the Art of Film at the Banff Mountain Film Festival
Coffee and art goes hand in hand. Always has, always will. Because while meaningful coffee may not berequired for creating transformative art, it certainly helps. We like to think a few of those awe-inspiring adventure films were fuelled by Eclipse coffee!
Come to think of it, specialty coffee and film have a lot in common. They’re both detail-oriented processes, where even the smallest decisions have a massive impact on the drinker’s (or viewer’s) experience. The roast of the beans, dial of the grind, weight of the shot, pressure of the machine, and length of the pull need to be just right. When all those elements are precisely tuned, you’re rewarded with something truly special.
Creating the best espresso, just like producing a film, takes time, dedication, and care. And at Eclipse Coffee we take pride in following these same principles.
Coffee and film are the perfect pairing, which is one of the many reasons why we’re so excited to be sponsoring this year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival!
Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 Banff Mountain Film Festival
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. An impressive 87 films are showing at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity this November 1st to 9th. There’s g no better place to see stories of adventure, exploration, and discovery from around the globe.
Additionally, the festival will host an array of talented guest speakers, free exhibitions, and the Festival Marketplace.
The Banff Mountain Film Festival also features a special anniversary edition of the Fire and Ice Symposium. This public symposium explores how storytelling can inspire positive impact and action, through the lens of changing ice and wildfire.
Will Gadd’s “Wall of Walls” Premieres at the Banff Mountain Film Festival
Will Gadd is a legendary and award-winning ice climber and paraglider, as well as an accomplished guide and public speaker. He’s aRed Bull athlete, who’s sponsored by Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Scarpa, and even more world-class brands. And he’s also a Canmore local.
When Will isn’t setting world records, scaling vertical walls of ice, taking his daughter on adventures, or premiering films at the Banff Mountain Film Festival, he can sometimes be found at Eclipse, enjoying a cappuccino. He graciously answered a few questions about his upcoming film for this blog post.
Q: Can you introduce your BFF feature film to us?
W: Short answer, it’s a story of two old guys battling the biggest, wildest ice lines of their lives.
Longer answer: Imagine if you spent most of your adult life searching for the biggest, wildest ice climbs around the world, only to find the very best ones literally only 50K from your house? That’s what Kirk Mauthner and I found, and have spent the last three winters climbing. The routes on the Wall of Walls, or WoW for short, are the coolest routes I’ve ever climbed in my life, but they’re guarded by huge avalanche terrain and really complex access conditions.
Kirk and I kept our shared obsession silent for three winters as we learned and ultimately climbed the four best new routes of our lives. The film shows that process and partnership, a deep experience for both of us.
Q: What was it like being part of this film, and what message from it stands out most to you?
W: The Canadian Rockies still hold surprises for me even after 50+ years of living and exploring here. I’ve caved under them, flown over them, paddled the rivers, climbed the rocks, and camped in so many glorious places. But it’s the people who live here who make all this possible: a shared sense of possibility, a willingness to take risks, and an enjoyment of exploration that combine into the experience of living here.
Q: How would you say places like Eclipse contribute to the sense of community among local adventurers and storytellers?
W: Coffee houses have always been a place to meet, plan, scheme, dream, and share life’s ups and downs, from the first documented coffee house in Constantinople in 1475 to now. I do a lot of my work and life meetings in coffeehouses, and Eclipse has been a favourite since the first one opened!
Q: And finally...what’s your personal favourite drink at Eclipse?
W: A cappuccino. All over the world, just a cappuccino, a little bit of cheerful luxury in a cup.
Will’s list of accomplishments is truly gobsmacking, and we’re very excited to see his latest film at this year’s BMFF. Make sure to check out “Wall of Walls” on November 9th at the Max Bell Auditorium, Banff Centre. Get your tickets here!
Enjoy Eclipse Coffee at the Banff Mountain Film Festival 2025
Worried that you won’t be able to get your Eclipse fix while at the Film Festival in Banff? We’ve got you covered. Attendees will be able to pick up coffee samples at the event, including our popular single origin roasts. Coffee bags will also be available for purchase.
Plus, Wildlife Distillery is offering a special hot coffee cocktail, with our cold brew as the base. This tasty drink is being made specifically for BMFF, and will be available during cocktail hour. You don’t want to miss it!
Eclipse is Sponsoring the 2025 Banff Mountain Film Festival
This year, we won’t just be at the Mountain Film Festival - we’re one of the event’s sponsors for theBest Film: Adventure award. The importance of this event (and all events like it) is not lost on us. This is the time to showcase our community, support local arts, and shine a spotlight on the Bow Valley.
Like you, we’ve been fans of BMFF for many years, and it’s always a highlight on our calendar. Undoubtedly, one of the shining lights during shoulder season that never fails to inspire. We’re thrilled to play a part in this legendary local tradition once again.
Why Local Bow Valley Partnerships Matter to Us
At Eclipse, we’re aiming to be more than just your favourite cafe (although that’s important too!). We want to be a pillar in the Bow Valley community. A place that gives back, supports its peers and patrons, and makes things happen.
Our local partnerships are of the utmost importance to us. Whether that’s creating a space for upcoming artists (like our recent Rube & Rakemusic evening), or sponsoring the Banff Mountain Film Festival, we strive to go above and beyond for our community businesses, artists, and adventurers!
Introducing the Film Fest Fireside Cider
We’ve put our best barista brains together to come up with a special drink to honour the 2025 Mountain Film Festival in Banff. The result? The irresistible Film Fest Fireside Cider. As the snow starts to set in, this warm and seasonally flavoured drink is sure to satisfy.
We’ll See You There!
We’re proud to sponsor the 2025 Banff Mountain Film Festival and celebrate the incredible creativity that thrives here in the Bow Valley. Stop by our café in Canmore or find us at the festival to try a selection of Eclipse Coffee Roasters’ Single Origin Coffees–or what we like to callthe perfect fuel for adventurous storytelling.
Here’s to the filmmakers, storytellers, and friends who keep finding new ways to push the limits of outdoor adventure! Thanks for letting us be part of your journey.
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