He didn害羞草研究所檛 win any awards, but Dave Mai did climb to new heights at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival last week.

The Penticton filmmaker debuted his 13-minute documentary Ephemera, about the elusive sport of Okanagan ice climbing, at the film festival.

害羞草研究所淚t went good, I think. It害羞草研究所檚 hard to say, you害羞草研究所檙e always a little nervous. A lot of people came up to me afterwards and said they really liked it,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 expect my first film to win best mountain film. That害羞草研究所檚 something I have to work towards.害羞草研究所�

Dozens of films were shown during the festival held Feb. 9 to 17. Mai received a $5,000 grant from the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival and outdoor clothing company Arc害羞草研究所檛eryx to complete the documentary in fall 2017. He started shooting the footage prior to receiving the grant last winter, starting filming his second time out ice climbing.

The film includes work from other Penticton creatives including poet Shane Koyczan and music composer Sam Welsh.

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Footage in the film is of climbs all over the Okanagan 害羞草研究所� Christie Falls in Kelowna, Bear Lake in West Kelowna, sites in the North Okanagan and Naramata Creek Falls.

Mai had the opportunity to introduce his film prior to its first public showing Feb. 15 at the Rio Theatre.

害羞草研究所淚t was nice presenting to that crowd. I guess they害羞草研究所檙e kind of in my tribe. We have similar interests,害羞草研究所� he said.

He met many other filmmakers and climbers during his short stay.

害羞草研究所淲e went for three days and we had to get back,害羞草研究所� he said with a laugh. 害羞草研究所淎ctually I was getting back to go out and film some more ice climbing but then it snowed. We害羞草研究所檙e going to try next week.害羞草研究所�

Mai didn害羞草研究所檛 want to elaborate on the location of the ice they were trying to get to other than: 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been on the radar for the last decade or so, this ice formation that forms sometimes out north a bit.害羞草研究所�

from on .

Ephemera will have its Penticton debut on Feb. 25 at HooDoo Adventures. The viewing is a fundraiser for the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society and Skaha Bluffs Park Watch.

Admission is by donation (suggested $5 or more) and includes another rock climbing video called The Fields from Kelowna filmmaker Clayton Arnall. There will also be a historical presentation from Howie Richardson and Graham Prunnet.

害羞草研究所淲e want to bring attention to outdoor recreation, mostly climbing, but what other local groups are doing,害羞草研究所� said Mai.

The event starts at 5 p.m. and runs to 7 p.m.

Ephemera will also be part of another film festival in Kimberley, B.C. on March 23 and 24.