VICTORIA, BC — The IMAX® Victoria Film Festival is back, running from February 21 to March 16, 2025, showcasing seven exciting films, including the local film Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna, on the largest screen in British Columbia.
Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna is an adaptation of Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm’s 2001 film Saving Luna by Mountainside Films. Luna, a baby orca who lost contact with his family off the coast of Vancouver Island, became a beloved figure after seeking companionship from humans in 2001.
Over the past four years, Parfit and Chisholm have adapted the film for the giant screen with spectacular new high-resolution photography shot in Nootka Sound.
"The grandeur of Luna's story has grown," says Parfit. "Twenty years have told us how unusual he was. Today some things seem to matter less, but others matter much more."
The film’s story has evolved over time, shifting the narration and the storytelling themes to be less about the controversies that surrounded the young whale—everything from government intervention and the impact of human interference to scientific observations—and more about what humans can learn from Luna.
"Luna's story is timeless,” says Parfit. “But neither whales nor humans are simple beings, so every time you think about this story, his life offers new insights and ideas. It always will."
Alongside Lost Orca will be a selection of films that traverse the natural and artistic worlds, including Extreme Weather and Meerkats from National Geographic, MacGillivray Freeman’s Journey to the South Pacific, Ireland and Lasting Impressions 3D, and Volcanoes: The Fires of Creation from SK Films.
A unique addition to the IMAX® Victoria adventure this year is an experience unlike any other. Mesmerica XL a visual journey that combines music from Grammy-nominated composer and percussionist James Hood with hypnotic 3D animations curated from artists around the world. The film creates an immersive experience designed to transcend time while stimulating your mind and senses.
Regular pricing applies for all IMAX® Victoria Film Festival documentaries. Special pricing applies for Mesmerica XL with discounts for members. Children under six are not permitted for this film.
— 30 —
About the Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum, which includes BC Archives, IMAX® Victoria and PARC Campus, is one of the oldest continually operating museums in Canada. A centre of learning and research, it strives to broaden our understanding of British Columbia through collections, exhibitions, outreach and community engagement. The museum celebrates the province’s diverse landscapes and the lives of the people who live here, enables research and knowledge sharing that advances our understanding of our world, and provides a dynamic place for discussion and reflection. IMAX® Victoria delivers educational and entertaining experiences that accompany the learning journey the museum offers.
The Royal BC Museum is located on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Songhees and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation). We acknowledge and respect the history of Indigenous peoples, who are our partners in museum matters and community alike.
For tickets to IMAX® Victoria and the Royal BC Museum, including combo tickets for both attractions, visit: Tickets
Memberships are back! Pick yours up today: Membership
For information about visiting the Royal BC Museum, visit: Plan Your Visit
Visit the museum Flickr page for images from the Lost Orca: The Legend of Luna film at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3g24.
