Adventure on the Big Screen: The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Comes to the KiMo Theatre
Imagine sitting inside one of the most architecturally extraordinary buildings in the American Southwest — a century-old Pueblo Deco picture palace on Historic Route 66 — while the screen in front of you fills with footage of BASE jumpers launching off Norwegian fjords, climbers inching up frozen waterfalls, and kayakers disappearing into canyon whitewater so remote it doesn't have a name yet.
That's exactly the experience waiting for Albuquerque residents this month, when the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour makes its annual stop at the historic KiMo Theatre on March 13th and 14th, 2026.
If you've never been, consider this your invitation. And if you go every year, you already know — this is one of the most genuinely thrilling community events in ABQ's spring calendar.
The Details at a Glance
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Event |
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour — Albuquerque |
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Venue |
KiMo Theatre | 423 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
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Dates |
Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14, 2026 |
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Doors Open |
6:00 PM | Films Begin at 7:00 PM |
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Tickets |
Single Night: $18 | Both Nights: $30 |
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Where to Buy |
StoneAgeClimbing.com (hosted by Stone Age Climbing Gym) and Eventbrite |
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Presented By |
Rab & Banff and Lake Louise Tourism; locally hosted by Stone Age Climbing Gym |
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Age / Notes |
All ages welcome | Different film programs each night |
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Parking |
Metered parking on Central Ave; covered garage at Copper Ave & 5th St |
What Is the Banff Mountain Film Festival?
Every fall, in the stunning mountain town of Banff, Alberta, Canada, the Banff Centre hosts what has grown into one of the most celebrated mountain and outdoor adventure film festivals in the world. Filmmakers, athletes, environmentalists, and storytellers from across the globe submit their work — short films, feature documentaries, and everything in between — for a chance to compete at the festival.
From the more than 400 films submitted each year, award winners and audience favorites are handpicked for the World Tour — a curated program that then travels to approximately 550 communities and more than 40 countries across the globe. Albuquerque is one of those chosen communities, and each year, Stone Age Climbing Gym brings the festival to the KiMo Theatre for a two-night run.
The films span a wide range of outdoor human experience: technical alpine climbing, paragliding, ski mountaineering, river expeditions, mountain biking, BASE jumping, and trail running across terrain most of us will never set foot on. But they also dig into the environmental stories of our wild places — shrinking glaciers, threatened ecosystems, and the people fighting to protect them. It's adrenaline and heart, back to back, for three hours each night.
And crucially — each night features a different film program. If you're a true outdoor film devotee, you're buying the two-night pass.
The Venue: The KiMo Theatre Is Half the Experience
If you're going to watch films about the most spectacular terrain on Earth, there's no better setting than one of the most remarkable buildings in New Mexico.
The KiMo Theatre, sitting at the corner of Central Avenue and 5th Street in Downtown Albuquerque, opened on September 19, 1927 — nearly 100 years ago — and has been captivating audiences ever since. It is considered one of the finest remaining examples of Pueblo Deco architecture in the world: a style that exists almost nowhere else, fusing the vertical drama and linear geometry of Art Deco with the rounded adobe forms and Indigenous motifs of the Southwest.
The building was commissioned by Italian immigrant Oreste Bachechi, who had made Albuquerque his home, and designed by architect Carl Boller — who immersed himself in the cultures of the Southwest before drafting a single line. The interior is breathtaking: soaring ceilings decorated with Navajo and Pueblo motifs, original hand-painted murals, ornate plasterwork, and the kind of warm, dim light that makes everything feel cinematic before the first frame rolls.
The name "KiMo" itself came from a statewide naming contest in 1927. Pablo Abeita, the governor of Isleta Pueblo, submitted the winning entry — KiMo, meaning "mountain lion" and loosely translated as "king of its kind." Over 500 entries were received. It's the kind of detail that tells you everything about how deeply this building is woven into the fabric of this city.
The theater nearly met the wrecking ball in the 1970s. Instead, the citizens of Albuquerque voted to purchase and restore it — a decision that says a lot about how much this community values what makes it distinct. After an extensive restoration completed in 2000, the KiMo is now fully operational as a performance venue owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque. In 2011, the city commissioned a faithful recreation of the theater's original 24-foot neon vertical sign, which glows on Central Avenue once again.
For longtime Albuquerque residents, the Yelp reviews say it best: "We typically see the Banff Film Festival here, and it had moved away for a few years — I was glad when it moved back." The KiMo and the Banff Festival are simply a perfect match.
The Local Connection: Stone Age Climbing Gym
One of the things that makes the Albuquerque showing of the Banff Film Festival so community-rooted is the host: Stone Age Climbing Gym, one of the most beloved institutions in Albuquerque's outdoor recreation scene.
Stone Age isn't just a gym — it's a hub for Albuquerque's climbing and outdoor community, and their partnership with the Banff Festival reflects their broader mission to connect people with the natural world around them. Proceeds and partnerships tied to the event support organizations like Access Fund, the national advocacy group fighting to preserve climbing access on public and private lands, and NM CRAG (New Mexico Climbers for Access and Gear), the local organization protecting New Mexico's climbing areas for future generations.
When you buy a ticket to the Banff Film Festival in Albuquerque, you're not just watching amazing films in a gorgeous theater — you're supporting local outdoor stewardship. That's a pretty good night out.
What to Expect: Your Night at the KiMo
Whether you're a seasoned festival-goer or this is your first time, here's what the experience typically looks like:
Doors Open at 6 PM — Arrive Early
The KiMo's lobby is worth 30 minutes of your time before the show starts. The ornate hand-painted interior — skulls, deer, thunderbirds, and geometric patterns everywhere you look — is genuinely stunning. Take time to look up, look around, and appreciate that you're standing inside a piece of living architectural history on one of the most iconic stretches of Route 66 in America. Getting there at 6 also means you'll snag a great seat before the crowd fills in.
Films Run Approximately 3 Hours
The program typically runs around three hours each evening, with short and medium-length films back to back. Don't expect a single feature — the Banff World Tour format is more like an anthology, with each film delivering its own punch before the next one begins. Some years include a short intermission; come prepared to be in your seat for the long haul, because once the films start you really won't want to leave.
The Crowd Is Half the Fun
The Banff Film Festival draws a genuinely enthusiastic audience in Albuquerque — people who hike the Sandia Mountains before breakfast, weekend climbers who've already been to Stone Age three times this week, families who spend their summers at Jemez Springs, and curious newcomers who just want to see what all the buzz is about. It's a room full of people who love the outdoors and love this city, and that energy is palpable from the first frame.
Two Nights, Two Different Programs
This is important: Friday night and Saturday night show completely different film lineups, curated from the Banff Centre's 25-26 season tour films. Each program is independently spectacular. If you can only make one night, either night will deliver — but if you're truly into it, the two-night pass at $30 is exceptional value and gives you twice the adventure.
Why This Event Resonates So Deeply in Albuquerque
It's no accident that a film festival celebrating wild terrain and outdoor adventure finds such a passionate audience in Albuquerque. We live in one of the most geographically spectacular cities in the country.
The Sandia Mountains rise more than 10,000 feet directly to the east of the city — one of the steepest urban mountain faces in North America. The Rio Grande cuts through the heart of the metro, lined with cottonwood bosque trails beloved by runners, cyclists, and birders. The Jemez Mountains sit an hour to the northwest. The Manzano Mountains reach to the south. Tent Rocks, White Sands, and the volcanic escarpment of Albuquerque's West Mesa are all within striking distance.
March is also when Albuquerque begins to shake off its mild winter. The days lengthen, temperatures climb back into the 60s, and the entire city collectively remembers why it chose to live here. The Bosque greens up. Trails that were quiet all January and February start buzzing again with hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Spring in Albuquerque has an energy to it — and the Banff Film Festival lands right at its beginning.
Watching world-class athletes conquer impossible terrain on the big screen has a way of making the Sandias look even more inviting the next morning. More than a few people have walked out of the KiMo on a March night and booked a hike for the following weekend.
Make a Night of It: Before & After the Festival
The KiMo sits right at the heart of Downtown ABQ on Central Avenue — Route 66 — which means there's plenty to do before the doors open and after the credits roll. Here are a few ideas:
Pre-Show Dinner on Central
- Casa de Benavidez (8032 4th St NW, a short drive north) — A longtime Albuquerque institution for New Mexican food. One of the best places in the city for a proper green chile enchilada before a big night out.
- Sawmill Market (1909 Bellamah Ave NW) — Albuquerque's beloved food hall, about 10 minutes from the KiMo, offers everything from sushi to smash burgers to craft cocktails. Great for groups with different tastes.
- Pueblo Harvest Café at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th St NW) — If you want to connect the evening's Pueblo Deco architecture story with your dinner, this is a beautifully fitting choice. Incredible fry bread, New Mexican dishes, and a serene setting.
- Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar (510 Central Ave SE) — A local favorite right on Central in Nob Hill, not far from the theater.
- Marble Brewery Downtown (111 Marble Ave NW) — Just a block or two from the KiMo, Marble is one of Albuquerque's most beloved craft breweries. The post-show crowd often ends up here.
- Casa Esencia / Apothecary Lounge rooftop at Hotel Parq Central (806 Central Ave SE) — A bit of a walk east, but the rooftop bar is one of ABQ's best, with sweeping Sandia Mountain views and craft cocktails worth the trip.
- O'Neill's Pub (4310 Central Ave SE) — Especially fitting on the Friday night showing given its proximity to St. Patrick's Day weekend. A classic ABQ neighborhood pub with a warm, familiar feel.
After the Show
Turn the Inspiration Into Action: Hit the Trails That Weekend
The Banff Film Festival has a documented side effect: it makes you want to get outside. March in Albuquerque is perfect for it. Here are a few local springtime favorites to put on your radar for the weekend:
- La Luz Trail (Sandia Mountains) — One of Albuquerque's most iconic and challenging hikes, climbing steeply through granite and pine into the high country. Not a beginner trail, but unforgettable.
- Paseo del Bosque Trail — A flat, paved 16-mile multi-use trail running along the Rio Grande through the cottonwood bosque. Perfect for a March bike ride or morning run as the trees begin to bud.
- Petroglyphs National Monument (Albuquerque West Mesa) — Miles of easy-to-moderate volcanic mesa trails lined with ancient rock carvings. Free to enter, accessible year-round, and one of ABQ's most unique outdoor assets.
- Tent Rocks National Monument (Cochiti, NM — about 50 miles north) — A slot canyon hike through dramatic cone-shaped volcanic formations. One of the most otherworldly landscapes in New Mexico and a frequent local favorite.
- Elena Gallegos Open Space (Northeast Heights) — Easy-to-moderate Sandia foothills trails with sweeping city and mountain views. A perfect half-day option right inside the metro.
Tips for Going This Year
Buy Tickets Now — This Sells Out
The Banff Festival is genuinely popular in Albuquerque, and the KiMo's seating capacity is limited. Tickets are $18 per night or $30 for both nights and are available through Stone Age Climbing Gym's website (climbstoneage.com) and Eventbrite. Do not plan to buy at the door.
Get the Two-Night Pass if You Can
At $30 for both nights, the value is hard to argue with. The film programs are completely different on Friday and Saturday, and both nights are worth attending. If you can only make one, either will be a full experience on its own.
Arrive at 6 PM When Doors Open
Seriously — get there early. The lobby and interior of the KiMo are worth a full 30 minutes of exploration before the show. It's also the only way to guarantee a good seat. The theater fills up fast once people start arriving close to the 7 PM showtime.
Parking
The KiMo itself has no dedicated parking lot, but there is a covered parking garage at Copper Ave and 5th Street, directly behind the theater. Metered parking runs along Central Ave. Arriving early helps with both parking and seating.
Dress Comfortably
It's a long evening — approximately three hours of films. Dress for a cool downtown spring night (March evenings in ABQ can drop into the 40s) and wear something you'll be comfortable in for a few hours of seat time.
Bring the Whole Crew
The Banff Film Festival is all ages. Families with older kids who are into outdoor adventure will love it. So will first dates, groups of friends, and solo adventure lovers who just want to experience something inspiring.
From the Sandi Pressley Team: This Is Why We Love Living Here
At the Sandi Pressley Team, one of our favorite parts of helping people buy and sell homes in Albuquerque is watching them fall in love with this city — sometimes before they've even unpacked. The Banff Mountain Film Festival at the KiMo Theatre is exactly the kind of experience that encapsulates why ABQ is so special.
Where else can you watch world-class adventure films from 40 countries while sitting inside a 99-year-old Pueblo Deco masterpiece on Route 66, in a city that has the Sandia Mountains at its back door and the Rio Grande running through its heart? The answer is: only here.
We hope you get there. We'll see you in the lobby.
And when you're ready to find your perfect place in this city — whether you're a first-time buyer, looking to upgrade, or thinking about making Albuquerque your home — the Sandi Pressley Team is always here for that conversation too.
Call us at (505) 263-2173 or visit www.sandisells.com.
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