Film Festival

Adventure Media Review, Banff, Film Festival, Film Review, Fun Film Friday / 16.11.2012

Late nights of movie magic are a common part of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. But not everyone was up until until 2 in the morning gorging themselves on pale ale, pizza and poutine. At least 30 students were actually working to piece together their final projects as part of the Banff Adventure Filmmakers Workshop. Learning from top producers Michael Brown and Keith Partridge aspiring scholars eager to make adventure movies of their own picked up more than a few pointers. Using the latest cameras and editing equipment...

Adventure Media Review, Banff, Breaking News, Film Festival / 06.11.2012

[caption id="attachment_8243" align="alignleft" width="300"] "Crossing the Ice" co-star Justin Jones[/caption] [caption id="attachment_8242" align="alignright" width="300"] Radical Reels/Snow Show host Josh Dueck[/caption] When Josh Dueck took the stage to host the Radical Reels screening at the 2012 Banff Mountain Film Festival he might have taken a few regular show-goers by surprise. I know I was. Most fans of the event likely expected to see the ever-energetic climber/comedian Timmy O'Neill bound out from behind the curtain to add his special brand of dirtbag humor to the mix of adrenalin charged movies. What they...

Adventure Media Review, Banff, Film Festival / 30.10.2012

Up long before dawn this morning for an alpine start. The alarm clock got me up at 3:30 AM with time to spare for a 4:30 check-in at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin. As hurricane Sandy rages along the East Coast I'm grateful to be heading west far into the Canadian Rockies of Alberta.It's great to be back in Banff! Technically, the 2012 Banff Mountain Film Festival started three days ago. The week-long celebration of the adventure lifestyle is an annual event not to be missed. With...

Adventure Film, Adventure Media Review, Film Festival / 10.10.2012

Like most meetings of our tribe the 9th annual Adventure Film Festival in Boulder had the feel of a family reunion. And in many ways that truly matter that's exactly what it was. When the late Jonny Copp started this gathering of outdoor artists and athletes so many years ago he established a place in time when kindred spirits rallied in celebration of their shared culture in adventure, to applaud their accomplishments of the recent past, make bold plans for the future and sadly honor the dead. Now directed by Copp's sister Aimee, Adventure Film continues to be far more than a collection of mountain inspired movies. An intimate moment over a long weekend the festival is a meeting place for a community whose bonds beyond blood forge friendships and collaborations to explore the literal heights of human endeavor, illustrated with camera and canvas. It's that sense of community which is Adventure Film's greatest strength. At a time when many of the features included in the program can be easily viewed over the Internet for free the price of admission provides those who attend a seat at the table where the festival not only serves up great content but company. Together among the best adventure filmmakers and explorers of our time aspiring creatives can mingle with and learn from real people like themselves who defied the odds of failure to achieve success. The festival began with a exhibition of flavor for each of the five perceptions of art. Senses of Adventure curated by Devaki Murch at the Prana store put on display an expression of beauty for the ear, eyes, nose, tongue and fingertips. Featured artists included professional climbers Renan Ozturk, Jeremy Collins and Katie Rutherford. Their paintings depicted landscapes and mountain summits of their travels. Throughout the weekend other programs like the Outside Adventure Film School brought to the festival a range of talented filmmakers to share their experiences and offer guidance. Filmmaking veterans including Michael Brown and Tyler Young provided invaluable advice alongside relative newcomers like Alexandria Bombach, people who's award winning films are setting a high standard for the latest in adventure media. In attendance as a student was the Oscar-winning producer of "The Hurt Locker" Tony Mark. The movies presented at the festival over two days of screening included 44 of the best adventure films of 2012. Across a broad range of topics from people with disabilities to the plight of oppressed women in the Middle East filmmakers brought back stories from all over the globe. Unlike the adrenaline driven movies of the not so distant past contributions to Adventure Film have incredibly compelling narratives, strong characters and excellent cinematography. Gone are the days of ski porn with gratuitous orgies of snow, altitude and speed. What remains is the true essence of adventure as art form, as depicted in the lives of those who follow their dreams.
Adventure Film, Adventure Media Review, Film Festival, Interview / 08.10.2012

Three years after his tragic death while climbing in China, Jonny Copp’s Adventure Film Festival is still going strong. The annual event in Boulder that pulls in outdoor-inspired movies from around the world continues with an expanded program in 2012 under the direction of Copp’s sister Aimee. With broad experience in sports marketing and a passion for art and photography she’s creating an enduring legacy to preserve the memory of a young man who in life embodied many of the best qualities in a modern adventurer. Killed in an...

Adventure Film, Adventure Media Review, Breaking News, Film Festival, Film preview / 10.09.2012

[caption id="attachment_7870" align="alignleft" width="300"] Adventure Film founder Jonny Copp[/caption] After several weeks of an arduous selection process the Adventure Film Festival released its 2012 line-up of movies to be presented at the Boulder Theater and other venues October 4-6. Continuing the high standards of excellence set by festival creator Jonny Copp, the annual fall celebration of the active lifestyle promises an exciting weekend of outdoor inspired art and culture with an ambitious roster of 38 films that represent the very best the genre has to offer. “This is making our...