After an uncommonly snowy start to ski season, winter enthusiasts can stay stoked with the adrenaline-pumping action of the Backcountry Film Festival, presented by Winter Wildlands Alliance and Discover Your Forest in Central Oregon.

What started as a backyard film screening among family and friends in Boise, Idaho, now tours to over 100 cities annually, including a ship in Alaska, said Emily Scott, operations manager at Winter Wildlands Alliance.

The festival celebrates its 20th anniversary of showcasing films centered around the human spirit during winter with a collection of diverse, thought-provoking short films.

Three screenings are coming up in Central Oregon, with showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Bend’s Volcanic Theater Pub and 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Sisters Movie House. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase to win prizes such as ski and snowboard gear, a Mt. Bachelor season pass or an overnight stay at Suttle Lake Lodge.

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Backcountry-inspired stories

It’s the first year Winter Wildlands Alliance recruited a film committee to watch and review film submissions. The committee consisted of its staff, filmmakers from previous seasons and festival hosts who watched and reviewed over 300 submissions, winnowing it down to 11 films, Scott said.

“It’s been called one of our best lineups yet. So I’m feeling pretty proud of it,” she said.

The show runs approximately 2 hours and features a diverse lineup that balances deep powder shots with storylines of conservation and community advocacy.

Festival proceeds will support Discover Your Forest in maintaining its free conservation education for thousands of Central Oregon youth. It will also help the organization ensuring access to the outdoors regardless of ability or identity through the purchase of adaptive equipment, according to the website.

The two hosting nonprofits partner on a program that puts students on snowshoes for snow science education. Participants have an opportunity to learn about the biology, hydrology and geology of the Deschutes National Forest and for many students, it’s the first time snowshoeing, Scott said.

“A big thing Winter Wildlands is about is getting equitable access to more humans out in winter,” she said.

If You Go

What: Backcountry Film Festival in Bend

When: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 24

Where: Volcanic Theater Pub, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend

Cost: $25

Contact: discoveryourforest.org/events

What: Backcountry Film Festival in Sisters

When: 6 p.m. Jan. 26

Where: Sisters Movie House, 720 S Desperado Ct., Sisters

Cost: $25

Contact: discoveryourforest.org/events