Media Release

---

For immediate release
July 7, 2006

2006 Banff Mountain Film Festival puts out call for the world’s best mountain films

The 31st annual Banff Mountain Film Festival has put out a call for submissions and has begun gathering the world’s best films on mountains and their spirit of adventure. Presented by National Geographic and Dunham Bootmakers, the festival will be held October 28 to November 5 at The Banff Centre, in Banff, Alberta. Deadline for film entries is Friday, August 4, 2006.

An international jury will choose winners in seven categories including Grand Prize, Alpine Club of Canada Award for Best Film on Climbing, Best Film on Mountain Sports, Mountain Environment, Mountain Culture, Best Short Mountain Film (15 minutes or less), and Best Feature-length Mountain Film (70 minutes or more). An eighth category, the People's Choice Award, is given out as selected by the festival audience. More than 50 finalists will be screened over the festival week to an audience of 12,000 plus. Over $28,000 CDN in cash and prizes will be awarded.

In 2005, filmmakers from 39 countries entered over 300 films into the competition. Many of the films toured worldwide to an audience of approximately 170,000 mountain and adrenaline film junkies in 25 different countries through the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.

After 31 years, the Banff Mountain Film Festival has a proven track record as the largest and one of the most prestigious mountain film festivals in the world. A programming-driven, competitive event, the festival brings films from every corner of the globe to the mountain town of Banff. For filmmakers, the event offers the chance to meet colleagues and leaders in the adventure field, and to exchange ideas and collaborate in a relaxed and inspirational atmosphere.

“I am always amazed at how many people come up to me, from all parts of the world, and tell me that they saw part of my film at Banff. I know of no better way to get lots of attentive eyes to see my adventure and climbing films. Banff is to mountain and adventure film what Sundance is to independent film. It is the place where people in the outdoor industry look for the best new movies.”

— Peter Mortimer, USA, Return2Sender: Parallelojams
Winner 2005 Alpine Club of Canada Award for
Best Film on Climbing, and World tour selection

 “This (the Banff Mountain Film Festival) is really good motivation for a young filmmaker, I'll tell you that, not only the winning, but also just to participate in the festival! It is so inspiring to meet all the people and see all the films. I was really motivated to make better films in the future, and now, probably more motivated than ever before!”

— David Kvart, Sweden, Everyday Extreme
Winner 2005 Best Short Mountain Film

Along with the continuous film and video screenings, the festival also features internationally renowned speakers, panel discussions, an adventure filmmakers seminar, an adventure trade fair, a mountain art and craft sale, and an indoor climbing wall. The Banff Mountain Book Festival is presented concurrently, from November 1 to 3, 2006.

For a 2006 film entry form or for more information on the 2006 Banff Mountain Film Festival, please visit http://www.banffmountainfestivals.ca/festivals/2006/film/

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is presented by National Geographic and Dunham, and sponsored by Patagonia, Deuter, OR, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Polartec, with assistance from MSR, Lake Louise Mountain Resort, PETZL, World Expeditions, Mountain Equipment Co-op, CBC, The Calgary Herald and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.