Ashima Shiraishi. Photo: Reel Rock: Origins – Obe and Ashima
It is one of the best known adventure film festivals, packing in about 300 movies aimed at outdoors and adventure enthusiasts.
But for those who can’t afford the air fare to Alberta, Canada, the Banff Mountain Film Festival is coming a little closer.
A selection of the best productions from the renowned annual festival will be screened in Britain at 17 different venues during a tour starting this weekend.
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour UK leg includes 20 screenings this year, kicking off in Edinburgh on Friday.
The world tour travels the globe every year visiting more than 390 communities in 35 different countries, underlining the worldwide popularity of mountain sports and culture.
The UK tour is being held for the third year and includes Cold. Organisers said: “Up until now 16 expeditions have tried and failed to climb one of Pakistan’s 8,000 metre peaks in the heart of winter.
“In early 2011, Simone Moro, Cory Richards and Dennis Urubko set out to be the first. The film captures chilling first-hand footage of their attempt and reveals a harrowing descent that amplifies their isolation and exposure – and then an avalanche hits.”
Other highlights include Reel Rock: Obe and Ashima, the tale of nine-year old New York girl Ashima Shiraishi who is taking the climbing world by storm. Guided by her passionate coach and former bouldering star Obe Carrion, the tiny master is crushing competition and raising the bar for climbing’s youth. The film provides a glimpse of the past for Obe and new adventures for Ashima.
All I Can: The Short Cut is a special tour edit of the award-winning ski film that combines thought-provoking issues with snow sports action. Time-lapse sequences, deep powder and an incredible urban downhill skiing scene are some of the highlights.
Organisers said the two-week tour events are a festive, social evening where outdoor adventure lovers of all kinds from all backgrounds and ages can come together to celebrate mountain culture through inspirational short films – with the chance also to win prizes.
More details are on the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s UK Tour website.
