GET A TASTE OF SUNSHINE COAST AT FLAVOUR FEST, qATHET FILM FEST

For those into film, base yourself in Powell River March 7 - 16 for the annual qathet International Film Festival.

The Sunshine Coast Flavour Festival makes its debut along the entire Sunshine Coast February 28 - March 9, 2025. 

Plan your trip to the Sunshine Coast

for food, films and more on the West Coast

"The coast generally punches way above its weight when it comes to arts and entertainment and tasty food options given there are so many creative people here," says Gibsons' Geoff Gornall, Tapworks Brewing Company co-founder, a Flavour Festival participant. 

"Our film festival is kind of like the Flavour Festival," says Shilling "our lineup of films comes from all over the world and are only shown once." 

The film festival launched as the Powell River Film Festival in 2002 and has been running annually ever since.

"We have so many hidden gems when it comes to festivals around here, examples like the Backwoods Jam, a mountain bike festival at Gravity Park, it is so special, as it includes world-class mountain bikers, but so much more approachable than what you'd find elsewhere," suggests Gornall. 

"Or how about the fall's Sunshine Coast Art Crawl, a lively and spirited event with super talented artists?" 

If you've been lucky in the past, you've experienced the Pender Harbour Blues Festival or the Lund Seafood Festival in communities along the Sunshine Coast. 

For the upcoming Flavour Festival, it's all about the variety of signature dining experiences happening over the fest's 10-day run.

"Food is one of the biggest pleasures for everyone, it's important to celebrate the diversity of food and how lucky we are along the Sunshine Coast to have all these great places to eat," explains Powell River-based Victor Jasso, owner of the Blue Agave Tequilla Grill, a Flavour Festival participant. 

Originally from Mexico, Jasso moved to the north part of the Sunshine Coast 10 years ago and has been serving up unique foods from his homelands ever since. 

"This Flavour Festival will be a great way to experience the signature things that these unique businesses are doing along the coast," says Gornall. 

"Shopping and supporting local is important, it props up community."

When you go

Time your visit for a good time March 1 when Tapworks celebrates their eighth anniversary with live music and more (timing-wise, this pairs with the Sunshine Coast Beer Festival). Gornall mentions their chicken parmesan sandwich is a must, found off the menu in their tap room. 

Thirsty? Up the coast at Powell River's Blue Agave Tequila Grill, try one of its signature Flavour Festival cocktails including a mango spice or a smokey pineapple margarita. 

Jasso encourages you to order up some a sampler of Mexican cuisine (four samples of each per order) to pair with it, like the Chile Relleno Poblano, a Mexican classic—a green chili pepper stuffed with ground beef, eggs and poblano cheese—available through the food fest,

"You are rarely disappointed when you go out to eat here in Powell River, with so many flavour options. And places with great ambiance, like the Seasider Bistro + Wine Bar, or the Shinglemill Pub both right by the water with great views."

And for those headed to the qathet Film Festival, Shilling suggests you take the week, buy the full festival pass, and be sure to catch the following films off their roster:

1) "Can I Get a Witness" - shot in Powell River, this flick showcases a future world where to save the planet, they get rid of technology and become a world where people must be willing to die at age 50.

2) "Flow," which just won a Golden Globe for best animation.

3) "Behind the Mask" a documentary showcasing how Indigenous mask making affected European artists, drawing connections between cubism and west coast BC mask making. 

Getting to the Sunshine Coast is easy: 

Via ferry with BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay

Fly into Powell River or Comox with Pacific Coastal Airlines or Harbour Air

Or you can fly into Sechelt with Sunshine Coast Air

More event info 

Feb 28-Mar9   Sunshine Coast Flavour Festival, 
Happening across the Sunshine Coast from Gibsons up to Lund. more info here

Mar 1  Sunshine Coast Beer Festival
At Gibsons Public Market—featuring live music! more info here

Mar 7-16   qathet International Film Festival 
Happening in Powell River along the north coast of the Sunshine Coast. more info here

Finally for more travel information about the Coast, suggestions on where to stay and more the team at Sunshine Coast Tourism is happy to help.

Let us know what you discover this March along the Sunshine Coast, feature the hashtag #festivalseekers so we might be able to feature you on our social media.