Bengaluru, Teleport To The Mountains At The Banff Mountain Film Festival

The mountains are calling! As a mountain lover, I often hear my mind saying this to me. But with the daily schedule of our work lives, it is difficult to take a spontaneous vacation to the mountains. Then what is to be done? Cinema has had always the special ability to transport us to different places, even if it's for a short period of time. The city of Bengaluru will play host to one of the world’s most pre-eminent mountain film and book festivals. Sitting in the heart of this busy city, for a short while, you will be teleported into the magical world of mountain sports, and award-winning short real-life adventure films that portray an unyielding human spirit and character.

Event: Banff Mountain Film Festival

Date: 23rd March 2023

Time: 6:30 pm onwards

Venue: Bangalore International Centre

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the flagship programs of The Banff Centre, Canada. Climbers, filmmakers, photographers, and writers from across the globe now recognize Banff as a major event in their mountain community. The festival offers a space to share stories with fellow mountaineers, adventurers, and the general public.

The official partner of the Banff Mountain Film Festival world tour is the Himalayan Club. The Himalayan Club was founded in 1928 and is one of the earliest mountaineering clubs to have been established in the sub-continent. It has been promoting several mountaineering activities for almost a century. The Himalayan Club (THC) is the official local organizer in India for the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2022-23 and has been showcasing the World Tour at multiple cities in India for more than two decades, since 2005.

From the festival's official film screening schedule we have curated six films that are a must-watch:

I. 6:50 pm | JURRIA – The Guardians of the Pole | 2020, 16 mins

Th is film is the story of Master Paco and his passion for the pole jump. It is filmed entirely in Gran Canaria, The Canary Islands. The pole was a tool that let the first Canarian settlers traverse quickly through the difficult topography in search of their flocks. Today the activity is alive and thriving because of the the teachings of Master Paco, who has shared his knowledge and experience with the new generations.

II. 7:30 pm | From My Window | 2020, 19 mins

From her bedroom window, the protagonist of the film, Melissa Simpson looks out at the highest peaks of Colorado. Even though she is so close, the experience of the mountains has always elduded her as she was born with cerebral palsy. With the aid of her friend and mentor, blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer, Melissa sets out to conquer something far greater than a summit.The film is a heart-touching tale of inner strength, resilience and triumph in the face of great difficulties.

III. 8:05 pm | Between Walls | 2020, 2 mins

In spring of 2019 huge walls of snow piled up along the high mountain road to Timmelsjoch, Austria. Johanna Bolanos Cabrera and Jasmijn Hanegraef took their longboards and grabbed the opportunity to ride through this stunning scenery. Speed and adrenaline are what the girls thrive on!

IV. 8:30 pm | Never in the Way | 2020, 5 min

Chicago-based bike messenger, Nico Deportago-Cabrera, views city maps like a central nervous system. Everything’s connected. Roads, buses, people and cars, all carry morsels of information around a living breathing giant organism. “The point”, he claims, “is to never be in the way”. Follow his amazing journey through this short film.

V. 8:35 pm | Link Sar | 2021, 17 mins

This film charts the jouney of an elite American alpinist navigating his relationships and motivations while attempting to climb and survive one of the world’s most challenging and previously unclimbed peaks — Link Sar, the high mountains of Pakistan.

VI. 9:00 pm | Breaking Trail | 2021, 30 mins

As Covid-19 surges amidst ongoing civil unrest, Emily Ford sets out with a borrowed sled dog named Diggins to become the first woman and person of color to thru-hike the 1900 km Ice Age Trail in winter. The film takes us on her 69-day journey through subzero temperatures that tests her physical and mental endurance to limit. Emily and her canine companion develop an unbreakable bond as they experience the unexpected kindness of strangers.

The event is open to all. Register early to book your seats. You can RSVP here.

You can find out more about Bangalore International Center here.

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