Last night saw a welcome return to Brighton’s Komedia of the BANFF Film Festival World Tour 2011 and much like 2010 the sold out event was a stunning introduction to some of the most inspiring adventure films made last year. If this years festival had a ‘theme’ I would say it was self discovery, realisation, and acceptance as each other 7 films showed last night all followed this untouched spirit of the adventurer.
Before the start of the festival Nell, part of Banff UK, came up to introduce herself and some notable mentions and also gave the crowed their first bug laugh of the night. Explaining to the audience that she would be ‘bobbing up and down in-between the films’ and was left a little bemused to the laughter – was a pretty funny moment which out Nell would have a few more throughout the night.
We at TNC have been really lucky and honoured to have been put in contact with Nell and the guys at the BANFF Mountain Film Festival. We love the idea of being outside and being free, realising that adventure is one of the most important parts of our lives and BANFF are going to be here in Brighton to show us just how amazing this can be.
Here is the second part of the evening taking place at Komedia next week, I seriously recommend you come along and take in the stories and videos that BANFF are going to be showing. From what Nell tells us things have been going really well and am sure it’s going to continue when they come here!
Exclusive Brighton preview programme
2nd Half Africa Revolutions Tour
Signatures:Canvas ofsnow
First Ascent
From the crocodile-infested White Nile in Uganda to big-water first descents in Madagascar, a group of friends seek adventure on African rivers. The tour included chases by crocs, encounters with hippos and a world record waterfall descent. This is a film of exploration with the team visiting visit Eastern Africa including the countries of Kenya, Zambia and Botswana with a final stop in Madagascar. Accompanying the tour is Rita Riewerts, the founder of the Sun Catchers Project, a non-profit organisation that installs solar cooking facilities in orphanages, hospitals and communities. Taking the occasional break from the white waters, the team visit African villages with Rita to introduce the benefits of solar energy.
Filmed in the Japanese mountains, this engaging film shows stunning footage of skiers in the famous deep powder near Hokkaido but this thoughtful piece also explores the cultural connection to the mountains. An artistic and inspiring film that recognises that there is more to a mountain than fresh snow and a big line; there are stories to be told. The mesmerizing images and beautiful soundtrack will make you yearn to head for the mountains.
This film documents the story of the groundbreaking and terrifying free-solo ascents (no ropes!) of Alex Honnold, one of the world’s most accomplished rock climbers. After gaining international climbing renown for his landmark free-solo climb of “Moonlight Buttress” in Zion National Park, in the US in April 2008, he moves on to his next big challenge: the first free-solo of the “Regular Northwest Face” route (2000 vertical feet) on Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome. Alex, a modest, quirky and really likeable character adds to the widespread appeal to this incredible film.
Adventure and the great unknown is what life is about and sometimes this quest can be costly. We are really honoured and proud to be able to bring you some previews of the BANFF Mountain Film Festival coming the the UK for the first time this year. Not only is this a great opportunity for anyone interested in the out doors but also a wonderful chance to meet some of the people who manage to keep the adventuring spirit alive.
For more information you can click on any of the links and The New Current will be keeping you posted as we build up to the festival. The Banff Mountain Film Festival is incredibly popular around the globe with screenings in over 30 countries reaching over 280 communities worldwide!
Exclusive Brighton Programme Preview:
1st Half Mont Blanc Speed Flying
Kranked: Revolve
Solo
MONT BLANC SPEED FLYING A beautifully shot film that features six speed riders descending thousands of metres from the upper slopes of Mont Blanc down the broken but spectacular mountainside to Chamonix in one continuous 10-minute shot. The mesmerizing, panoramic views shot from above create an incredible awe inspiring experience. The poetic soundtrack further enhances the visually spectacular piece that makes it an incredible and uplifting film.
KRANKED REVOLVE A high definition tribute to the mountain bike, and a look at the riders who push these machines to their limits. Featuring some of the planet’s best riders, “Revolve” blasts in cinematic glory from the French Alps to the lush coast of British Columbia, incorporating dirt jump, trail, freeride, slopestyle and downhill riding. A high energy experience!
SOLO
On January 11, 2007, Andrew McAuley set out on his quest to become the first person to kayak from Australia to New Zealand across 1600 kilometres of one of the wildest and loneliest stretches of ocean on Earth. Thirty days later, New Zealand maritime authorities received his distress call. An amazing and compelling story that will not leave you untouched, Solo is an incredible tale of adventure. Through Andrew’s story the film questions and examines the extreme risk that some adventurers are driven to pursue.
Since 1975 The BANFF Mountain Film Festival has inspired many to take up the challenge, any challenge, to live life to the fullest and this year the BANFF World Tour comes to Brighton (as well as Buxton, Keswick, Leeds, London, & Manchester).
This is going to be more than just a night dedicated to men and women who like spending long weeks and months up mountains chasing sheep and eating beef jerky, it’s much much more and we are really excited about the opportunity of getting to meet some of these people and seeing the variety of short films.
We will be updating out site when we get more information about the films that are going to be shown as part of the festival and what speakers and events the organisers have planned, so watch this space!
