Telluride Mountainfilm on Tour Coming to Gallup

The 3rd Annual Mountainfilm on Tour in Gallup will be at the El Morro Theatre on Friday, May 3rd, at 7:30pm. The event will once again be co-hosted by Kris Pikaart and Dr. Sam MacBride, as a fundraiser for the Thai Burma Border Health Initiative. The Tour offers a selection of inspiring, culturally-rich and adventure-packed short documentary films curated from the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival. The mission of Mountainfilm is to use the power of film, art, and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world.

The films in the festival cover many topics. There are lots of intense outdoor adventure films, of course, but also some exploring issues such as human migration, environmentalism, and social justice. The films will feature mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, and other amazing adventures. They feature inspiring people from all over the globe, all trying to make a difference in their little corner of it.

The Tour travels to more than 150 cities across the world from Australia to Alaska - and Gallup holds the distinction of being the smallest community to be a host. “Seven of this year’s films were shortlisted for the Oscars. This is a rare chance to see amazing films the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with popcorn,” enthused Dr. MacBride.

The Thai Burma Border Health Initiative is a non-profit dedicated to improving the health of Burmese minority groups living along the border with Thailand. It was founded by a group of local physicians from Gallup Indian Medical Center in 2008. “We love bringing this event to Gallup because the can-do spirit of Gallup that fueled the start of TBBHI is echoed in these films,” says Dr. MacBride who is Vice-President of TBBHI. 100% of all funds raised will be used directly for on-the-ground community healthcare in Burma. In addition to the two and one half hour screening of films at the El Morro, there will be professionally-led, film-based educational events at Gallup High and a local elementary school. Last year more than 200 students attended school screenings and this year the organizers hope that number will grow. “This is truly the key to the whole effort - we know that folks will enjoy the films on Friday night but the opportunity to change the world is in the educational screenings,” said Dr. MacBride. The films promote healthy living and outdoor activities, but are also meant to inspire people to create a better world. He cited the recent Youth Strike 4 Climate and Parkland School students as examples of school-aged children leading social change.

The show (appropriate for all ages) will be on Friday, May 3rd, at 7:30pm at the El Morro Theatre. Tickets will be available at the door at the El Morro Theatre or on-line (https://gallup-mountainfilm.eventbrite.com). The show is $8.00 per adult and $5.00 per child 12 and under.

Descriptions of the films as well as a link for tickets are available at www.mountainfilm.org/tour/schedule.