Banff is Back

Jenna Gnieski, Communications Intern

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is back on Thursday, October 15, but this year with a twist. Audiences will experience awe-inspiring action films in the comfort of their own car, drive-in movie style at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Bring some snacks and blankets and get cozied up to watch some of the world’s most accomplished climbers, paddlers, skiers, snowboarders, mountaineers, mountain bikers, explorers and adventure filmmakers alive today.

You might remember in past years, we’ve held this event in the spring, but due to COVID-19, we had to cancel the original date back in April. When we canceled, we struggled because this is our biggest fundraising event of the year, however, we’ve used these past few months to plan ways in which we can still hold the event as safely as possible. Don’t worry, it’s still going to be epic. 

One of the reasons we still wanted to hold this event is because it is so important to our mission of Inspire. These films are not only entertainment, they act as forms of inspiration. Despite the agonizing lows these adventurers have along their journey, they’re able to call on their resiliency and achieve incredible heights. We believe everyone deserves the chance to experience how fun the outdoors can be, and by providing access to these films, we hope to inspire others to make outdoor recreation part of their lives. 

Thanks to you, our first showing is sold out! If you weren’t able to snag any yet, we still have tickets available for the second showing at 10:00 pm. Take a peak (couldn’t pass up on this pun) at the film lineup below!

2020 Film Lineup

EARLY SHOW, GREEN PROGRAM

Doors open at 6:00pm | Films start at 7:00pm

Disclaimer: Some films may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

 

THE FLIP (2019, USA, 3 MINUTES)

 

Filmmaker: Reed Rickert

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  Yes (in English, from English)

French Skydiver Remi Angeli must face his fears in order to explore new expressions of movement while BASE jumping in Mexico. On the other side of his fear he discovers life in its purest form.

THE LADAKH PROJECT (2019, AUSTRIA, 13 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: David Arnaud and Corinna Halloran (Red Bull)

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

Seven days, three rivers, one woman. This is the story of Nouria Newman’s solo kayak adventure in the Indian Himalaya.

SAFE HAVEN (2018, USA, 8 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Wondercamp; Tim Kressin, Davis Goslin

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

Founded on the belief that everyone is welcome, Memphis Rox opened a climbing gym to challenge stereotypes and be at the center of the city’s revitalization.

INTO THE CANYON (TOUR EDIT) (2019, USA, 45 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Pete McBride, Amanda Pollak (Insignia Films)

Advisory:  F-bombs

Subtitles:  None

Pete McBride and Kevin Fedarko tell a story of extreme physical hardship where the bonds of friendship are stretched and the timeless beauty of the Grand Canyon becomes a meditation and ultimately a cautionary tale for our complex relationship with the natural world.

INTERMISSION

SIBLINGS (2019, CANADA, 3 MINUTES)

Filmmakers:  Mike Hopkins, Scott Carlson

Film Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

A shortcoming of age film that celebrates childhood and the relationship between siblings.

LHOTSE (2019, USA, 23 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Dutch Simpson, Rob Wassmer, Kaki Or (Field Day Studios)

Advisory:  Some coarse language

Subtitles:  None

It’s not always what we achieve that defines us, rather it is why we achieve such things that creates clarity in our existence. In 2018, Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison completed the first ski descent of the 27,940-foot Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. This is their story.

LIFE OF PIE (2019, USA, 12 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Felt Soul Media – Ben Knight, Travis Rummel

Advisory:  Multiple f-bombs

Subtitles:  None

When Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller moved to the tiny, conservative high desert town of Fruita, Colorado almost twenty years ago, it was not on the map as far as mountain biking was concerned and they were on the fringe and a bit ostracized. Now they’re at the very heart and soul of the community.

GONE TOMORROW: KENTUCKY ICE CLIMBING (2019, USA, 20 MINUTES)

Filmmaker:  Mike Wilkinson

Advisory:  Swearing, drinking

 

Subtitles:  None

A bourbon-fueled ride deep into the bushy hollers of Appalachia with a crew of harmless misfits as they race to search out and climb new ice routes before they’re gone.

 

LATE SHOW, RED PROGRAM

Doors open at 9:30pm | Films start at 10:00pm

Disclaimer: Some films may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

GOOD MORNING (2018, FRANCE, 4 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: PVS Company; Maxime Moulin, Antoine Frioux, Richard Permin

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  Some, English from French

Every day, skier Richard Permin falls into his mundane morning routine. Right after getting out of bed, he clicks on his skis and rides down the snow-covered rooftops of Avoriaz.

THE MOTIVATOR (2019, USA, 5 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Rockhouse Motion – Aaron Hitchins

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

Filmmaker Aaron Hitchins turns his camera on the person who has motivated him to lead a life connected to the outdoors: his mother, Maureen.

THABANG (2019, SOUTH AFRICA, 13 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Hannah Slezacek & Dean Leslie (Producers), Dean Leslie (Director, [Wandering Fever])

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  Some, from local language to English

Thabang Madiba somehow found his way into the world of trail running and in the last few years has become everyone’s favorite in the South African trail scene.

CAMEL FINDS WATER 3 (2019, US, 9 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Ian Durkin and Trevor Gordon

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

Trevor found the hull of an abandoned fishing boat in a field. He brought it home and built it back to a sea-worthy state over the course of a summer. Then, he took it on its maiden voyage to British Columbia in search of waves.

SPECTRE EXPEDITION – MISSION ANTARCTICA (2019, UK, 36 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Alastair Lee, Sender Films, Leo Houlding

Advisory:  Swearing

Subtitles:  Some, from English

1000 miles, 200+ kgs, 65 days, 3 mates, 1 mountain. Unsupported, using snow-kites to travel great distance, with massive loads at speeds up to 60 kmph this is the epic tale of Leo Houlding, Jean Burgun & Mark Sedon’s daring dream to reach the summit of the most remote mountain on Earth; The Spectre, Antarctica.

INTERMISSION

A NORDIC SKATER (2018, LITHUANIA, 5 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Paulius Neverbickas

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

The story of a man who uses every sense he has to travel on thin ice while Nordic skating in the Oslo region of Norway. He tells the story of how the little known sport of Nordic skating came to play a big part in his life.

THE LONG RIVER HOME (2019, USA, 20 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Timmy O’Neill, Big Cedar Media – Seth Dahl

Advisory:  War references, could trigger PTSD

Subtitles:  None

US veterans who were injured in war come together for another mission as they guide blind Navy veteran, Lonnie Bedwell, on a 14-day river trip in the Grand Canyon.

THE RUNNING PASTOR (2019, USA, 9 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Camp4 Collective, Tim Kemple

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  Yes, throughout from English

Sverri is a local Pastor and avid runner who uses his time on the trails to work through not only his own personal conflicts, but the conflicts of others he often is burdened with.

MYRTLE SIMPSON: A LIFE ON ICE (TOUR EDIT) (2019, US, 25 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Leigh Anne Sides & Andrew Cahill

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

Myrtle Simpson – trailblazer, pioneer, adventurer, mountain climber, polar explorer, writer, and mother. From Spitzbergen to Greenland, from the North Pole to the Highlands of Scotland, from New Zealand to Peru, Myrtle blazed her own trail. She experienced places most people only dream about, all while writing 13 books, collecting specimens for museum botanical collections and raising four children.

HORS PISTE (2018, FRANCE, 6 MINUTES)

Filmmaker: Ecole des Nouvelles Images: Léo BRUNEL, Loris CAVALIER, Camille JALABERT, Oscar MALET

Advisory:  None

Subtitles:  None

The two best mountain rescue workers of the region are ready for their new mission. Despite their professionalism and their determination, it will not go as planned…