Here Are The Climbing Films That Won At Banff Fest 2021
They/Them, Torn and Black Ice are three powerful climbing films that everyone should watch
The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is taking place this week in the Bow Valley. Due to the pandemic, a lot of filmmakers held off entering their projects last year, so this year saw a number of big feature films.
The grand prize went to The Rescue by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. It focused on a rescue of 12 young soccer players who got stuck in a cave in Thailand after a flood.
Here are the three climbing films that took home a prize. For the complete list of award winners visit here.
Best Climbing Film: They/Them
For Lor Sabourin, climbing is more than a sport; it’s a way of exploring identity and building resilience in the face of adversity. They/Them follows Lor, a trans climber, into the sandstone canyons of northern Arizona, on a journey to piece together one of the hardest and most inspiring routes of their life. By embracing the strength in vulnerability, Lor has found the space to thrive and build a climbing community that others like themself can call home. Read our review here.
“At this moment in time everyone seems to have a view on pronouns, even though they have been referred to by the pronouns given at birth their whole lives. They/Them offers any gendered person, who might be having trouble understanding, a clear insight into a non-binary experience. This timely film forces us to recognize gender diversity and the importance of being an ally in the climbing community. In doing so, They/Them makes a significant contribution to climbing in the early 21st century.” — Paul Pritchard, jury member
Best Feature Film: Torn
On Oct. 5, 1999, legendary climber Alex Lowe was tragically lost in a deadly avalanche on Shishapangma. Miraculously surviving the avalanche was Alex’s best friend and climbing partner, Conrad Anker, who went on to marry Alex’s widow and help raise his three sons. Now, Alex’s son, filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Max Lowe, turns the lens on his own family as the body of his father is uncovered 17 years after his death. Read our review here.
“In Torn, Max Lowe, succeeds at balancing the incredible narrative of his father, legendry climber Alex Lowe’s, drive and passion for adventure, with the deep impact it had on his wife and three sons, especially upon the loss of Alex’s life in a deadly avalanche in the Himalayas. Torn is a poignant, and powerful, portrait of the tensions between one man’s passion and his commitment to family. Lowe’s directing masterfully blends archival footage, interviews, and a contemporary return journey to create a powerful film that will move you deeply.” — Devyani Saltzman, jury member
Special Jury Mention: Black Ice
A crew of aspiring ice climbers from the Memphis Rox gym travels to the frozen wilds of Montana, where mentors Manoah Ainuu, Conrad Anker and Fred Campbell share their love of winter adventure in the mountains. Read our review here.
“Black Ice breaks new ground in sensitively and humorously exposing the lack of diversity in climbing. The film makers go to great lengths to highlight the differences between Memphis and Montana and what actually constitutes community. By underscoring the hardships of South Memphis’s African American community this important film affects a powerful emotional response.” — Paul Pritchard, jury member
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