Adrenaline-pumping adventures on film at Walker Theatre March 16

The Banff Mountain Film Festivaltour stops in Walker Theatre March 16

"Into the Canyon" depicts the 2016 trek by photographer/filmmaker Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko through the 750-mile length of the Grand Canyon. It's the story of physical trials that stretched their bond of friendship as well as a warning of environmental dangers to the Grand Canyon.
"Into the Canyon" depicts the 2016 trek by photographer/filmmaker Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko through the 750-mile length of the Grand Canyon. It's the story of physical trials that stretched their bond of friendship as well as a warning of environmental dangers to the Grand Canyon.

Kentucky ice climbers.

Two friends thru-hiking the Grand Canyon.

And a native of Michigan's upper peninsula who catches waves on Lake Superior, fighting deadly currents and masses of ice to surf in below-freezing water.

These are some of the passionate outdoorsmen and women whose stories will be featured Monday night, March 16, when the Banff Mountain Film Festival stops in Walker Theatre.

The festival's nine adrenaline-pumping short films will showcase rock climbers, kayakers, skiers and even an animated short during the two-hour screening. Some of the films travel to U.S destinations; others will take the audience to exotic foreign locales.

photo Banff Mountain Film Festival Contributed Photo / "The Ladakh Project" is a film made without any technical team. It's the story of kayaker Nouria Newman's one-week, solo whitewater kayaking expedition on three rivers in the Indian Himalayas.

Host Phil Bridgers says the nine films are ones that were selected at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival in Alberta, Canada, in November.

"Most of the films we show are human interest stories set in the outdoors," says Bridges.

For example, "Ladakh Project" follows kayaker Nouria Newman on her week-long solo whitewater expedition to India. "Charge" gives viewers a drone's-eye view of four freeskiers as they charge down slopes of the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia.

Four movies (a total of 72 minutes) are shown before intermission, which is followed by five more shorts.

"Banff Mountain Film Festival is the premier outdoor festival," says Bridgers. "People should come to the festival ready to be amazed, travel the world and sit on the edge of there seats."

If you go

* What: Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour* Where: Walker Theatre inside Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.* When: 7 p.m. Monday, March 16* Admission: $22* For more information: 423-757-5580

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