March 2013: Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to UAA for two adrenaline-packed nights

Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2, 7 p.m. both days
Wendy Williamson Auditorium

The best of the 2012-2013 Banff Mountain Film Festival is on tour bringing short films on mountain themes ranging from mountaineering to ice and rock climbing to wildlife and environmental issues, as well as mountain sports such as skiing, kayaking and snowboarding.

The festival returns to UAA for two exciting nights in early March, as part of Winterfest 2013.  Film schedule is below. To view trailers, visit The Banff Centre website.

Advance tickets are available at UAATix.com or the Student Union Information Desk. For more information about this event, please contact Student Activities at (907) 786-1219 or events@uaa.alaska.edu.

Friday's program:

"Strength in Numbers"

The world of mountain biking has many communities. And while different riders follow different lines, they all end up in the same place. Tire to ground, foot to pedal, hand to bar--people drawn together by trails of dirt. Come join us!

"Mountains in Motion: Canadian Rockies"

This 100 percent human-powered film uses striking time-lapse photography and an original story to bring the landscape center-stage and offers a thrilling new perspective that re-establishes the Canadian Rockies among the finest mountains in the world.

"Crossing the Ice"

Australian adventurers James Castrission and Justin Jones dare to tackle the perilous journey across Antarctica to the South Pole and back again, completely unassisted - just two men dragging their food and shelter across 1140 kilometres of barren ice. Many have tried, all have failed. After much planning and preparation, Cas and Jonesy arrive to tackle one of the last great Antarctic odysseys but discover an eerie similarity to Captain Scott's race to the South Pole: there's a Norwegian on the ice. He's more experienced, he's tackling the same record, and he has a head start.

"Industrial Revolutions"

World-renowned trials rider Danny MacAskill is at it again--only this time he uses an abandoned ironworks as his playground.

"Moonwalk"

A full moon like no other!

"Flow Hunters"

Some of the world's best paddlers experience adventure and risk as they explore New Zealand's white water.

"The Way Home"

Although our national parks belong to all citizens, too few people of color ever visit them. Take a journey to Yosemite National Park with those looking to reverse that trend.

"Reel Rock 7: Honnold 3.0"

Alex Honnold is a bit of an enigma. He's become known as the boldest soloist of his generation, but how does he balance pure ambition with self-preservation? Honnold wrestles with this question in preparation for his biggest adventure yet--the Yosemite Triple.

Saturday's program:

"Ernest"

You'll fall in love with Ernest Wilkinson, one of the last of a vanishing breed of mountain men, as he explains what your best survival tool is.

"Viva La Vie"

American climber Jonathan Siegrist visits France to pay tribute to the roots of modern sport climbing. After teaming up with Swiss superstar Nina Caprez, the two stumble upon a greater meaning of climbing while venturing up some of the hardest routes the Verdon Gorge has to offer.

"Unicorn Sashimi"

This sweet piece of visual and musical poetry builds to a climax of Taiko drumming and swirling snow that will envelope you.

"NDIZOTHEKA (it is possible)"

From opposite corners of the earth, two men are united by a common dream: to be the first to paraglide from Mount Mulanje, Malawi's highest peak. Things go well until they discover that one has taken on a little more than he has bargained for and the other has never learned to paraglide. In the end, their commitment to each other and to ideas not yet realized dissolves borders and creates opportunities neither anticipated. This delightful adventure will have you dancing out the door to the pulse of possibilities.

"On Thin Sea Ice 2"

Slide away with simple pleasures: skating, bathing and a little vodka.

"1st Afghan Ski Challenge"

In a quiet corner of this conflicted country, gutsy first-time skiers learn to ski through trial by fire. Racing with a true spirit of camaraderie, they take part in the first-ever downhill racing competition in Afghanistan.

"Lily Shreds Trailside"

Just try to keep up with Lily--go ahead, we dare ya!

"The Dream Factory"

For the past 16 years, Teton Gravity Research has made the pilgrimage to America's last frontier, Alaska: the dream factory. From the early gold rush days to the rise of commercial fishing, to the explosion of the ski and snowboard free-ride movement, people have left everything to follow their dreams and journey to this foreign, mystical land. "The Dream Factory" shows us the past, the present and a glimpse at the future.

"The Gimp Monkeys"

What has four legs, five arms and three heads? The Gimp Monkeys. Three friends attempt the first all-disabled ascent of Yosemite's iconic El Capitan.