Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
March 27, 2008 issue
Tickets Almost Sold Out!
Story by Anna Oakes
Spectacular films highlighting mountain adventure, culture and environment—kayaking, BASE jumping, badgers, climbing and more—hit the Farthing Auditorium screen for the 12th annual showing of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Boone on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs hosts the annual Banff Film Festival stop in Boone—one of the largest screenings on the 250-city world tour.
“We’ve really built a following for the festival, and I think it’s largely because we really live these films,” said Andrew Miller, an Outdoor Programs coordinator. “People in these areas really can relate to these films in a personal way.”
The Banff Mountain Film Festival, celebrating its 32nd year, is an annual international competition featuring the world’s best films on mountain themes. In November 2007, the festival screened more than 50 finalists chosen from more than 300 entries from 37 countries. The Banff Centre for Mountain Culture in Banff, Canada, organizes the festival.
The 2007-2008 World Tour will travel to communities in more than 25 countries, including stops in Fairbanks, Alaska; Torres del Paine, Chile; Tokyo, Japan; and Christchurch, New Zealand. Local tour hosts like ASU Outdoor Programs select their own programs from the Banff Film Festival submissions. Each night’s screenings will be different.
“We have a fairly good idea of what our audience enjoys,” Miller said, adding that the selection also is based on what is playing well at other venues. Outdoor Programs selected 10 films for the Boone audience this year—a schedule of screenings has not been announced.
20 Seconds of Joy is a film documenting the death-defying thrills of Norwegian BASE-jumper Karina Hollekim. At the Banff Mountain Film Festival in November, it earned the Best Film on Mountain Sports award and received the People’s Choice Award.
24 Solo follows the gut-wrenching story of Chris Eatough on his quest for a seventh world title in the grueling sport of 24-hour solo mountain bike racing. Director and filmmaker Jason Berry of Gripped Films will appear in person to present his film at the Friday night screening. Earlier that day, Berry will present a free Adventure Film Making Workshop at ASU’s Greenbriar Theater from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 75.
Badgered is an animated tale of the struggle between the outside world and a badger who just wants to sleep. It won the award for Best Film on Mountain Environment.
In Higher Ground, mountain photographer Andrew Querner explains what drives his quest for the perfect shot and his attraction to the climbing experience. In-Flux is a film about the true meaning of kayaking with adrenaline-driven action and remarkable natural wonders.
Inner Balance features top riders taking unicycling and trials riding to the next level, while King Lines films the treks and adventures of nomadic professional climber Chris Sharma. Two films, Respect and Wings On Your Feet, feature skiers from around the world. And in Trial & Error, mountain biker Ryan Leech sets out to ride an incredibly challenging trail in the coastal mountains of British Columbia. It won the People’s Choice Award for Radical Reels award.
New to this year’s screening at Farthing are local and regional vendors and live music. Miller said Farthing will open around 6:00 p.m., allowing attendees to browse booths by vendors and nonprofits. During this time, the Sugar Grove Sweet Talkers will perform old-time Appalachian string music and Bald Guy Brew will sell fair trade coffee.
Advance tickets are $7 for students and $9 for adults per night, but tickets are selling fast.
“As of last week they were getting pretty low,” Miller said. Advance tickets are now available from the Farthing Auditorium Box Office at 1-800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046, by clicking to www.pas.appstate.edu or from Footsloggers Outdoor Travel and Outfitters in downtown Boone at 828-262-5111.
If any advance tickets are not sold, admission will be $12 at the door.
For more information about the Banff Mountain Film Festival, click to www.banffmountainfestivals.com. For info on the screenings at ASU, click to www.op.appstate.edu or contact Rich Campbell at campbllrh@appstate.edu or 828-262-2475. ASU Outdoor Programs is the presenter of this event and Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters is the lead sponsor.
Date: Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12
Time: 7:30 p.m. both days
Location: Farthing Auditorium, ASU
Cost: $7 students/$9 adults per night in advance/$12 per night at door