Banff film festival returns to Muskoka
Algonquin Theatre, January 18th & 19th @ 7:30pm
Banff film festival returns to Muskoka. FILM FESTIVAL: Eastern Rises, shown above, is an independent film about fishermen using decommissioned Cold War helicopters to travel to rivers in an area of eastern Russia that have never been fished before. The film will be one of 13 shown during the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Huntsville Jan. 18 and19. Photo courtesy of the Banff Centre
HUNTSVILLE - Two evenings packed with adventure, sport and travel films are making their way to the region.
On Jan. 18 and 19 and for the 14th year in a row, Algonquin Outfitters will present the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, a collection of independent films about environmental issues, personal triumph and amazing scenery.
"The target audience would be people in the region who are interested in outdoor activities, interested in independent filmmaking," said Gordon Baker, Algonquin Outfitters assistant general manager. "You're going to see films that you probably won't see anywhere else. Very few of them ever make it to television - they are small films made by independent film makers; it's very creative filmmaking."
He said those who may not have an interest in snowshoeing or skiing, for example, would likely find the festival interesting from a creative standpoint.
Baker also said the films can be inspirational, not only in terms of promoting outdoor activity but also because of the people in them.
"They are people either doing something inspiring or they are people triumphing over formidable odds, whether it's a challenging climb or physical disability, or sheer feats of athleticism," he said.
Thirteen films will be shown during the festival. Each evening begins at 7:30 p.m. and, said Baker, will include about two hours of film, an intermission and prize giveaways. He also said films could be anywhere from four minutes to an hour in length.
 According to a media release, the films include AZADI: Freedom, which discusses militant insurgence in Kashmir in the 1990s and the prospects for young Kashmiri today as they venture into the backcountry on skis. The highest skiable gondola sits amid one of the most militarized regions in the world and skiing is drawing foreigners back to this former tourist destination, said the release.
 A Life Ascending follows mountaineering guide Ruedi Beglinger and his wife and daughters, all of whom live on a glacier in the mountains of British Columbia, as they continue their lives following an avalanche that killed seven people. The piece won best film on mountain culture and people's choice at the festival in Banff.
In Huntsville, Baker said the screenings are popular; the last two years nearly sold out. He noted audience members range from teens to seniors and everyone in between.
There is no theme for this year's local festival, but Baker said each night would have an interesting and varied group of films and topics.
And there will be door prizes. He said random draws based on seat number will determine which audience member will win prizes provided by festival sponsors such as gift certificates, backpacks and magazine subscriptions, as well as prizes provided by Algonquin Outfitters such as a paddle and gift certificates.
Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Friends of Algonquin Park for wolf population dynamic research. Baker said his company usually donates funds from the festivals to various environmental causes.
"Wolves are an important animal in the park," he said. "They are part of the iconic animal population in the park, right up there with moose and loons."
The festival takes place Tuesday, Jan. 18 and Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Algonquin Theatre.
Tickets are $15 for adults or $12 for students per night. Those who attend both nights can exchange their two ticket stubs for a 15 per cent discount at Algonquin Outfitters.
For more information on the festival, including a list of films, visit algonquinoutfitters.blogspot.com.
Get your tickets now!
For tickets visit the theatre box office at 37 Main St. E., Huntsville.
You can also call 705-789-4975 or toll free at 1-888-696-4255 ext. 2352, or www.algonquintheatre.ca.
This article was originally published online at Cottage Country Now by Alison Bownlee Jan 12, 2011 - 9:24 AM
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. Showtime: 7:30 PM.
Get tickets by clicking here.AZADI: Freedom- Canada, 2010
- Directed and Produced by Anthony Bonello
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Skiing, Mountain Culture
AZADI: Freedom takes a look at Kashmir in the wake of the violent militant insurgence of the 90s through the lens of skiing. The unique role that skiing is playing in rebuilding tourism in Kashmir is explored using cinematography, animation and story of local characters. The film crew explore the future presented to young Kashmiri as they venture into the mountains, backcountry skiing. The world's highest skiable gondola sits amid the most militarized region in the world, yet the freedom of adventure is drawing foreigners back to this former Shangri-La. Photocredit: Anthony Bonello, from the film 'AZADI: Freedom' Chimæra- Canada, 2010,
- Directed by Dave Mossop
- Produced by Malcom Sangster
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Skiing
Chimæra refers to a mythological fusion of forms or a foolish fantasy. Shot with a unique camera system capable of shooting over 1000 frames per second, this film slows our perception of reality and offers an unprecedented look at a skier's life. It is an experience that blurs the borders between real and imaginary. Eastern Rises Award at 2010 BMFF: Best Film on Mountain Sports, sponsored by 'Live out There'- USA, 2010
- Directed by Ben Knight
- Produced by Travis Rummel
- Classification: Parental guidance - coarse language
- Focus: Fly-Fishing, Environment, Culture
The Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East may as well be the end of the earth. Its enormously wild landscape is swarming with bugs and bears and threaded with rivers full of massive mouse-eating trout. In this stunning film, fishing is poetry; Bigfoot lurks in the fog and fishermen risk life and limb in decommissioned Cold War helicopters to explore rivers that have never been fished before. Photocredit: From the film 'Eastern Rises' Fly or DieAward at 2010 BMFF: Special Jury Mention- USA, 2009
- Produced by: Nick Rosen and Peter Mortimer
- Classification: General - coarse language
- Focus: Rock Climbing, BASE jumping, Free BASE
Cutting edge climber Dean Potter is innovating climbing for the future: the Base Free Solo. By combining free solo climbing and base jumping, Dean is on his quest to master the various disciplines that lead up to this bold evolution of the sport. Photocredit: From the film 'Fly or Die' Kranked Kids - Just down the Road- Canada, 2010
- Directed and Produced by: Bjørn Enga
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Mountain biking / Humour
A coming-of-age mountain bike parody. Last Paradise- New Zealand, 2010
- Directed and Produced by: Clive Neeson
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Human Adventure / Extreme Sports: Surfing, Skiing and others
In the remote wilderness of New Zealand, when necessity was the mother of invention, a maverick bunch of kids concocted a dream which they would one day share with the world. Through 45 years of stunning original footage we relive the journey of legendary extreme sports pioneers on the roads less travelled, to paradises which have long since gone. But for one. Photocredit: From the film 'Last Paradise'
Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011. Showtime: 7:30 PM.
Get tickets by clicking here. A Life AscendingAward at 2010 BMFF: Best Film on Mountain Culture, sponsored by Petzl Award at 2010 BMFF: People's Choice Award, sponsored by Timex Expedition- USA, 2010
- Directed and Produced by Stephen Grynberg
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Ski Mountaineering, Culture, Human Story
Living with his wife and two young daughters on a remote glacier in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, Ruedi Beglinger has built a reputation as one of the top mountaineering guides in the world. A Life Ascending follows his family's unique life in the mountains and their journey in the years following a massive avalanche that killed seven people. The film ultimately explores the power of nature as both an unforgiving host and profound teacher. Photocredit: Stephen Grynberg Life Cycles- USA, 2010
- Directed and Produced by Ryan Gibb and Derek Frankowski
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Mountain Biking
Life Cycles provides some of the most visually stunning images the mountain sports world has ever seen. It's a beautiful celebration of the bicycle, and is sure to amaze anyone who has ever ridden one. Photocredit: From the film 'Life Cycles' Rush Hour Dream- Germany, 2009
- Directed and Produced by Kerim Jaspersen and Christian Menn
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Paragliding, Environment
An office worker in Düsseldorf, Germany, falls asleep in the tramway on his way to work and wakes up on a beautiful mountainside to discover that he is carrying a paraglider in his laptop. Photocredit: From the film 'Rush Hour Dream' Still Motion- Canada, 2010
- Directed and Produced by Jonathan Schmidt
- Classification: General - no advisory -
- Focus: Environment / Wildlife
Compiled from the highlights of a whole year of wildlife research, these still images from motion-triggered wildlife cameras to create an intricately sequenced movie-like production of Alberta's amazing wildlife. Playful fawns, stalking cougars and curious elk take centre stage. The film asks an important question: just who is looking at whom? Photocredit: From the film "Still Motion"
The Longest WayAward at 2010 BMFF: Best Short Mountain Film, sponsored by Mountain Hardwear
- Germany, 2009
- Directed and Produced by: Christoph Rehage
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: Human Adventure / Humour
Time lapse of a 1-year-walk from Beijing to Urumqi. Unlimited growth of beard and hair. Photocredit: From the film 'The Longest Way' The Swiss Machine- USA, 2010
- Produced by: Nick Rosen and Peter Mortimer
- Classification: Parental Guidance - coarse language
- Focus: Rock Climbing, Big Wall, Mountaineering
Ueli Steck may be the greatest speed alpinist the world has ever seen. In this film, Ueli tells of his record-breaking ascents in the Alps, accompanied by stunning aerial footage that captures him racing up 8,000 foot alpine faces. When he joins Alex Honnold in Yosemite, Ueli sets his ultimate goal: to take his one-man alpine speed game to the largest, highest walls in the world. Photocredit: From the film 'The Swiss Machine' WildWater- USA, 2010
- Directed and Produced by Anson Fogel
- Classification: General - no advisory
- Focus: White-water paddling
When ordinary people share a singular passion, the extraordinary emerges. WildWater is a journey into the mind and soul of white-water, into the places only river runners can go, places of discovery, solitude and risk. It's a visually stunning feast for the senses, and an expedition into new ideas. Photocredit: From the film "WildWater" | 
