19 films, online auction mark inaugural Through Ellie’s Eyes Mountain Film Fest
July 30, 2026 | By Waterbury Roundabout
Ellie Curtis. Courtesy photo
The Big Picture Theater Community Hub for the Arts is pleased to present the first Through Ellie’s Eyes Mountain Film Fest, Friday-Sunday, Aug. 7-9.
Screenings are planned to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, Aug. 7-8, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9.
This inaugural event, which organizers aim to be an annual affair, features a lineup of 19 films from across the country, including seven films from Vermont and New Hampshire. The films involve young people and follow themes of adventure, community and the environment. One of the selections, “Listen,” directed by Taliesin Black-Brown, recently won Best Documentary Short Film honors at the 2026 Tribeca Festival.
Festival proceeds will support Ellie’s Fund, established in memory of Ellie Curtis, who grew up in Waitsfield, was a graduate of the Green Mountain Valley School and Dartmouth College, and an All-American ski racer and professional mountain bike racer. She loved and embraced all kinds of outdoor adventure, focusing her young career in the public sector on climate justice. She died in a ski accident in April 2025. Created in her memory, Ellie’s Fund is managed as part of Knoll Farm’s New Learning Journey to support young leaders working for social and environmental change in their communities.
Ramsey Brown, events director at The Big Picture Theater, notes that the upcoming festival is more than just the film schedule. “In addition to some fantastic films, this festival will have live music, outdoor art installations, and two panel discussions – with U.S. Olympians on Friday night and artists and musicians on Saturday night,” Brown said. The schedule specifically notes a special unnamed musical guest for the Saturday panel.
Accompanying the film festival is an online auction fundraiser with items organizers are hoping will attract some bidding competition.
“We also have a fantastic online auction that has something for everyone. As a teaser, the online auction includes a Noah Kahan-signed Gibson guitar, Grace Potter concert tickets, IKON and Mad River Glen passes, and items donated by the U.S. and Canadian Ski Team athletes, including Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Ben Ogden, Julia Kern, Mikaela Shiffrin, and much more,” Brown listed.
As of Tuesday, July 29, the going bid on the Noah Kahan-signed guitar was $2,000. The online auction is live now through Aug. 9 at 9 p.m.
Festival tickets are $30 each for Friday and Saturday; $20 for Sunday. Buy online in advance here.
Visit Big Picture Theater and Café’s Through Ellie’s Eyes Mountain Film Festival for a full film lineup for each of the three days, information about the online auction, the panel discussions, art installations, and to purchase tickets.