Whistler Blackcomb Looking to Get Photographers, Filmmakers, Artists and Volunteer Involved in the 2016 World Ski and Snowboard Festival

The 2016 World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is a 10 day and night showcase of some of the best of mountain culture, music, arts and snow sports. With an action-packed lineup of events, there is no denying that WSSF requires a lot of helping hands to ensure that Whistler’s favourite festival is executed smoothly. 

Go Behind the Scenes

On average, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival sees over 400 volunteers lend a helping hand to ensure that WSSF is the best 10 days of the year. Volunteers get a behind-the-scenes perspective of the largest annual celebration of snow sports and music in North America. Volunteer opportunities exist in all aspects of WSSF, ranging from on-mountain ski and snowboard events to the Fido Outdoor Concert Series at the Main Stage in Skiers Plaza. Those interested in lending a helping hand

at WSSF this April can register online at www.wssf.com/Volunteer.

Action Sports Filmmakers

Intersection returns to the Festival for its sixth year, continuing the progression of action sports filmmaking. Participating crews are required to shoot, edit and produce a five to seven minute ski or snowboard film, within 100km of Whistler, BC, all within a 7-day period. Up to eight spots are available for ski and snowboard film crews. The selected crews will battle it out for the grand prize of $10,000. Interested film crews need to submit expressions of interest no later than February 19, 2016. More information about Intersection at WSSF is available at www.wssf.com/Intersection.

Action Sports Photographers

The OLYMPUS Pro Photographer Showdown is the preeminent action sports photography event in the world. In previous years, an esteemed review panel has selected and invited the top action sports photographers to compete, with no pre-submission required. In 2016, four photographers will be invited, with one spot reserved for a Wild Card Entry. All five photographers will go head-to-head for the grand prize of $10,000. The deadline for the Wild Card Entry is March 1, 2016. Photographers interested in submitting for the Wild Card Entry can find all the rules and regulations at www.wssf.com/Olympus-Pro-Photographer-Showdown.

Filmmakers and Masterful Minds Behind the Lens

The OLYMPUS 72 Hour Filmmaker Showdown levels the creative playing field by eliminating post-production trickery, exotic locations and big budget advantages. Filmmakers are tasked to shoot, edit and produce a three to five minute short film within 100km of Whistler over the course of 72 hours. New this year, filmmakers who complete their online registration by 5pm on Monday, March 21, 2016, will be entered into a draw to win a Sennheiser MKE 400 Compact Shotgun Microphone. The top six to ten films will be selected as finalists to be shown at the Gala Screening in Whistler, BC, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. One winner will be crowned Best of Show with the grand prize of over $10,000 in cash and prizing. Filmmakers who feel up to the challenge can register online at www.wssf.com/Olympus-72-Hour-Filmmaker-Showdown.

Calling All Artists

State of the ART is a creative mix of mountain culture and artistic minds that showcases international and local talent alike. The gallery is set up in the Grand Foyer of the Whistler Conference Centre for the entire 10 days of WSSF and is free admission from noon until 6pm every day. The gallery will also be open in the evening to ticketed attendees of WSSF events happening in the Whistler Conference Centre. Artists interested in participating in State of the ART need to submit by February 25, 2016. Online submission available at www.wssf.com/State-of-the-ART.

To connect with the World Ski & Snowboard Festival online, Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or download the mobile app called WSSF Live which is available for FREE in the App Store and Google Play Store for Apple and Android phones.

View this release online: http://wssf.com/news-releases

The World Ski & Snowboard Festival (WSSF) is produced by Watermark Communications, a Whistler‐based event production & communications company, and presented in partnership with Tourism Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb. Having grown over 21 years into the largest annual celebration of snow sports and music in North America, WSSF is a 10 day and night showcase of some of the best of mountain culture, music, arts and snow sports. Featuring the largest annual free outdoor concert series in Canada, ski and snowboard competitions, photography and film showcases, and spring skiing at Whistler Blackcomb, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival is the poster child for the ultimate ski and snowboard festival experience. In blazing the way for the youth of tomorrow, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival embodies the mantra: ‘Party in April. Sleep in May.’