The first of the fall rains have arrived, drawing another great summer to a close. The in-between season is the perfect time to reflect on the past summer’s adventures and the winter fun ahead.
For some of the most audacious and amusing adventures the world-over, don’t miss the North Island’s annual Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour shows coming at the end of November.
Every year hundreds of adventure film-makers from every corner of the globe gather in Banff, Alta for a week long festival of film, books, photography, presentations and seminars celebrating mountain culture.
The very best of the films then tour across Canada, the United States, and internationally from Scotland to South Africa to China, Japan, New Zealand, Antarctica, and points in between. Each year, the films travel to 32 countries reaching more than 245,000 people at more than 635 screenings.
In the Campbell River area, there are opportunities to take in an evening of high action, rich culture and environmental awareness. Local mountaineer and guidebook author Philip Stone hosts two of these shows: at the Tidemark Theatre on Friday, Nov. 23 and the following night at the Quadra Island Community Centre on Saturday, Nov, 24. Both shows start at 7 p.m.
“We’re fortunate to have these great films visit our communities,” Stone says. “Guaranteed are two nights of different films covering the best of what’s available on the Banff World Tour in Campbell River and Quadras.”
The main festival in Banff gets underway in early November but one of the early titles catching everyone’s attention is an Australian production called ‘Crossing the Ice’ which tells the story of Australian adventurers. This daring Aussie duo tackle the perilous journey across Antarctica to the South Pole and back again, completely unassisted – just two men dragging their food and shelter across 1,140 kilometres of barren ice. Many have tried – all have failed. As more films are listed, information about the local programs will be posted online at www.wildisle.ca
Tickets for both the Campbell River and Quadra shows are available from the Tidemark box office between noon and 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults $20 for youth, students and seniors. Call 250-287-7465 to reserve.
