The Banff Mountain Film Fest Winners Are….
Amazing climbing, skiing and environmental films took top prizes at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
The 2023 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival wrapped up this weekend after 10 days of films, book talks and more. Here are the winners of the film competition, including more details about the grand prize recipient, climbing award and audience choice.
Grand Prize – Full Circle
Best Film, Adventure – Subterranean
Best Film, Climbing – Reel Rock: Resistance Climbing
Best Film, Snow Sports – The Blackcountry Journal
Best Film, Environment – The Eagle with Sunlit Eye
Best Film, Mountain Culture – Leo & Chester
Best Film, Mountain Sports – Eternal Flame
Best Short Film – School of Fish
Best Feature Film – Deep Rising
Special Jury Mentions – Descendance and Keepers of the Land
Audience Choice – Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge
Full Circle is both an unblinking examination of the challenges of life after spinal cord injury and a celebration of the opportunity for growth that such a tragedy can present. Weaving the stories of legendary adventurer Barry Corbet’s life after a traumatic spinal cord injury and the recovery of young snowboarder Trevor Kennison’s following a similar life-altering event. Director Josh Berman has been shooting producing, directing and editing award-winning outdoor and action sports films and commercial work for two decades.
“This film provides a raw and unapologetic look at the difficulty of reinventing oneself,” said jury member Sarah Steele. “It is a documentary that ‘goes there’ – giving us hope and inspiration, but also making us deeply uncomfortable by introducing us to the difficult realities that come with paralysis. Trevor and Barry’s stories capture our hearts because they represent the indomitable human spirit that moves mind and body beyond disability. Their stories of personal alchemy, and of turning tragedy into triumph, force us to ask ourselves the question posed by poet Mary Oliver, ‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life??”
In the strife-torn hills of Palestine, a diverse crew of Bedouins, dirtbags and urban professionals embrace climbing as a much-needed respite from the burdens of the Israeli occupation. American writer and climber Andrew Bisharat visits the West Bank to explore his own roots and the power of climbing to transform lives in Resistance Climbing.
“So much more than a climbing film! Made before the current Middle Eastern conflict, this film offers a great explanation of Palestine’s geopolitical situation and how the Palestinian people are caught up in the conflict,” said jury member Mark Sedon. “It shows how climbing can bring joy and hope when people don’t have much. It bridges religion, wealth, and different cultures to bring people together. The film is a masterpiece of climbing story telling.”
Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge received the audience choice award. It follows two modern day adventurers as they embark on a rock climbing journey through time, celebrating the rich history and folklore of one of Canada’s most iconic climbing cliffs as they pay homage to the colourful characters who have etched their names into its vertical walls since the 1950s.
Read more about this year’s winners here.
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