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BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival returns virtually

Content from the 2020 virtual BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival content may be rented and streamed by members of the U community.

For the past 29 years, Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventures has brought the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival to the U campus. While it may look different, Outdoor Adventures and partner UtahPresents are determined to continue this proud tradition despite the pandemic.

For the first time in its 45-year history, the festival went virtual amidst the world pandemic. Following in their footsteps, the 2020-21 World Tour also hit the virtual road and can now be viewed from the comfort of your own couch.

All films will be available to rent this year with new programs and bundles added throughout 2021. Each program can be rented for $15, for three days. Discounts are available for bundles and programs can be streamed for up to 14 days. And with movie theatres closed worldwide, you deserve to treat yourself.

CLICK HERE FOR PREVIEWS, PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS AND STREAMING INFORMATION

Each year over 400 entries are submitted into the mountain festival and after careful selection, award-winning films and audience favorites are then chosen to travel the globe, inspiring many and entertaining all. From pure adrenaline-rush action, to environmental and thought-provoking adventure—these films will surely inspire you to create an adventure of your own, or to be part of effective world solutions.

It’s our hope at Outdoor Adventures and Campus Recreation Services, that virtual showings of the Banff Centre Mountain Films will still continue to inspire and ignite unknown passions in all of us.

History of BANFF at the U

Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventures hosted its first Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in the U’s Fine Arts Auditorium on Feb. 18, 1992. Despite a large snowstorm that evening, the event still managed to entice 125 people to come out and watch the thrilling adventure films.

From there, Outdoor Adventures worked hard to grow the program and eventually had to move to Orson Spencer Hall Reed Auditorium in 1993. From 1996-2000, the program was selling out two-night, 400 seat shows within hours of tickets going on sale. It was time to move on up to the big time—Kingsbury Hall.

Adding an additional night in 2004 and then a fourth night of the Radical Reels Tour in 2012, as well as partnering with UtahPresents—the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Salt Lake City, has had quite the run over these past 29 years.

About Outdoor Adventures, Campus Recreation Services

With its 1954 roots as the Ute Alpine Club, Outdoor Adventures grew from a group of students and their love for recreating in Utah’s great mountains, lakes and varied landscapes. Since officially joining Campus Recreation in 1976, Outdoor Adventures now serves over 25,000 students, faculty and staff annually. The popular program runs day and weekend trips, trainings and other outdoor recreation programming, such as Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival and also is the largest collegiate equipment rental shop in the United States.

More details and information can be found here.

About UtahPresents

UtahPresents, a multi-disciplinary presenter at the University of Utah, brings diverse artistic and cultural experiences to campus and the region, exploring and enriching the human experience through the lens of creativity and the arts. As stewards of the iconic Kingsbury Hall, we provide a valuable gathering space for community events and campus partners.  Through a breadth of collaborations, UtahPresents encourages curiosity, enhances cultural vibrancy and creates connections beyond the stage.

About the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour was born from Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival which began in Banff, Alberta. In 1976 a tight-knit group of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts conceived The Banff Festival of Mountaineering Films. This was a one-day gathering that became the renowned international Festival it is today. Over 30 years ago, Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival began an outreach program to bring the Festival to other communities. This has become known as Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour. As the first festival in Banff, the tour began small—three cities across Canada. Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour now reaches over 40 countries and brings mountain films to an audience of over 550,000 worldwide in approximately 550 locations.