Have You Always Dreamed of Seeing Your Name on the Big Screen?

The 28th Banff Mountain Film Festival, presented by National Geographic and Dunham Bootmakers, wants to bring your tales of mountain magic and exhilarating adventures to the big screen.

The 2003 festival is seeking films and videos on mountain and adventure subjects to compete for screening at this year's event, held November 4, 7 to 9 at The Banff Centre. The deadline for entries is Friday, September 5, with entry forms due in Banff a month earlier on August 8.

From the entries selected to screen at the festival, an international jury will choose winners in eight categories including Grand Prize, Alpine Club of Canada Best Film on Climbing, Best Film on Mountain Sports, Best Film on Mountain Environment, Best Film on Mountain Culture, Best Short Mountain Film (15 minutes or less) and Best Feature-length Mountain Fiction Film (70 minutes or more). Approximately forty films will be screened over the four-day festival. The festival audience selects the winner of the People's Choice Award. Over $18,000 CAN in prize money is on offer.

Last year, filmmakers from 31 countries entered over 263 films in the 2002 Banff competition. Many of the films had an opportunity to tour worldwide to an audience of over 150,000 serious mountain and adrenaline film junkies, through the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.

After spending time with Yosemite Camp 4 climbers in 1998, Kristi Denton-Cohen of Peloton Productions (USA) was inspired to tell their story in the award winning film, "Vertical Frontier". This first time entry to the Banff Mountain Film Festival won the Alpine Club of Canada Award for Best Film on Climbing.

"I am especially honored to receive the 2002 Best Film on Climbing award. It was a huge surprise and I know it will give a huge boost to the success of the film."
Kristi Denton-Cohen, Director and Producer, Vertical Frontier

Kristi plans to donate all proceeds from her film to non-profit mountaineering and mountain environment causes.

"The Second Step" is an inspirational film about a double-leg amputee who defies physical barriers to achieve a personal goal. The film follows Warren Macdonald – who lost both his legs in a 1997 climbing accident – on his epic 28-day trek to reach the peak.

"Without a doubt, just attending Banff Mountain Film Festival, let alone winning an award, has provided me with the biggest breakthrough of my career. People told me I should take my film to Banff; I'm glad I listened! Banff's reputation as the premier mountain film festival shone through throughout the festival, from the professional handling of the logistics involved, to the quality and depth of the programming."
Warren Macdonald
"The Second Step- Warren Macdonald’s Epic Journey to Federation Peak"

Held in the spectacular Canadian Rockies in the town of Banff, Alberta, the Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the world's largest and most prestigious mountain film competitions. "Our vision is to bring the power of mountain experiences alive for audiences around the world," says Bernadette McDonald, director of Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre, which hosts the event.

In addition to continuous film and video screenings, the festival also features internationally renowned speakers, panel discussions, a filmmakers seminar, an adventure trade fair, a mountain art and craft sale, and a new climbing wall.

The 28th Annual Banff Mountain Film Festival is presented by: National Geographic and Dunham Bootmakers; sponsored by Eagle Creek Travel Gear, Patagonia, Avalanche, eVENT Fabrics and </font>; with assistance from Lake Louise Ski Area and PETZL.

Visit our web site for 2003 Film Entry information, including our on-line entry form: www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/forms/film/