Banff Mountain Film Festival: The Perfect Armchair Adventure

Buckle up for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour which is set to bring the latest action and adventure films to Theatre Severn on February 26th & 27th, says Katy Rink. Picture credit: Jordan Manoukian

We’ll admit to being huge fans of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – it’s a highlight on our annual calendar. My son and I love the thrill of armchair adventuring from the comfort of Theatre Severn’s main auditorium. The festival brings the very latest and best of action and adventure films to the big screen and is stopping off in Shrewsbury on its tour of the UK and Ireland, bringing two different programmes to choose from, on February 26 and 27. 

As always, the two collections ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ are packed with intrepid characters who are prepared to brave the most extreme conditions to bring back amazing footage and stunning stills. The lineup is always expertly curated, in order to make audiences laugh, or cry – or simply wonder at the scenery and the incredible resilience of the intrepid adventurers!

As well as gripping films, each event features a free prize draw for outdoorsy goodies from the tour’s partners, which have included buffs, walking boots and back packs in the past.

There are so many films to enjoy across the two programmes, it’s hard to pick – here are a couple of highlights this year: 

A Team Sport  

Ultra-runner Courtney Dauwalter (pictured above) is one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport, and this new film shows her testing the limits of body and mind even further. The short film shows her tackling tackle three iconic 100-mile races back-to-back in one summer, including the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc in the Alps. A Team Sport explores how Courtney sees herself as the latest rung in a long ladder of women redefining the boundaries of trail running and inspiring a new generation of athletes. 

Of A Lifetime  

Christoph Thoresen’s image of a boat in the frozen landscape of Antarctica

Of A Lifetime follows three extreme skiers and snowboarders as they sail across the notorious Drake Passage to ride the unimaginably steep, icy lines of  Antarctica. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of the White Continent, the film also highlights a poignant passing of the adventure baton to the next generation. 

Banff tour films are chosen from around 500 international entries into the Banff Mountain Film and  Book Festival, which is held every November in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Now in its 16th year,  the UK and Ireland tour will visit 50 locations in spring and autumn 2025.  

“Buckle up for a night of nail-biting adventure – from the comfort of a cinema seat!” says tour director  Nell Teasdale. “Join the world’s top outdoor filmmakers and adventurers as they climb, ski, paddle, run and ride  through the wildest corners of the planet. Plus, we guarantee you’ll leave inspired to have an  adventure of your own too!”  

For more information and to book tickets, see www.banff-uk.com.