Hosted by the Sierra Club Moshannon Group

Sponsored by Nature's Pantry and Appalachian Outdoors

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour was born from Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival which began in Banff, Alberta. In 1976 a tight-knit group of climbers and outdoor enthusiasts conceived The Banff Festival of Mountaineering Films. This was a one-day gathering that became the renowned international Festival it is today, and the Sierra Club Moshannon Group is bringing the World Tour to State College as it has for over 20 years. 

For two nights, you will be transported to some of the most spectacular and often vulnerable outdoor spaces in the world. You’ll watch as outdoor adventurers, thrill seekers, and conservationists tell their epic mountain stories. These amazing films will be shown on the State Theatre’s new 4K projector. With a clearer picture, more vivid colors, and better sound, the films will come alive like never before. 

Doors open at 6 p.m. so come early and help us celebrate the environmental victories that have been achieved in our region in 2024.  Meet Sierra Club members in the lobby and our local partners in the attic where you can sign up to be eligible for our intermission drawing of prizes from our local sponsors and from the Banff World Tour sponsors.

Join us in coming together to celebrate the spirit of adventure as well as the spectacular gifts our planet has given us

Schedule:

Friday Night Quartzite

Anytime - Switzerland (Tour Edit)

2024, Canada, 5 min

Filmmakers: Darcy Wittenburg, Colin Jones, Darren McCullough, Anthill Films, Red Bull Media House, Ian Dunn, Galen Knowles

Advisory: No Advisory

Set in the Lenzerheide Bike Park this segment will highlight the fact that good times are at the core of it all. Leave your preconceptions behind and join the revolution, as these women prove they’re not just riding – they’re reigning.

Jamrock: The birth of Jamaican rock climbing

2024, United States, 17 min

Filmmakers: Gareth Leah, Well Good Productions

Advisory: No Advisory

Kai Lightner, a 12-time national US climbing champion and the visionary founder of “Climb for Change” embarks on a transformative mission into the heart of Jamaica’s emerging climbing community, where passion and determination thrive despite limited resources and recognition.

Of a Lifetime

2024, Switzerland, 44 min

Filmmakers: Jérôme Tanon, Sarl XDLR Suisse, Xavier de Le Rue, Beanie de Le Rue

Advisory: Coarse Language

Of a Lifetime is a celebration of discovery, adventure, and the passing of the torch to the next generation against the breathtaking backdrop of Antarctica. It chronicles the renowned De Le Rue family’s journey as Xavier, Victor, and 18-year-old Mila sail across the Drake Passage to ride the unimaginably steep icy lines of the white continent.

The Smoke that Thunders (2024 Creative Excellence Award*)

2024, Canada, 4 min

Filmmakers: Caleb Roberts

Advisory: No Advisory

Aiming to paddle the fabled Minus rapids at the base of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river, Ben Marr’s biggest challenge is to access them by trekking upstream. A total assault on the senses awaits as the force of the river speaks for itself.

The Last Observers (2024 Special Jury Mention*)

2024, United States, 24 min

Filmmakers: Maja K Mikkelsen, Patagonia Films, Adam Mikkelsen

Advisory: No Advisory

For decades, every third hour around the clock, every day of the year, Karin Persson and Lennart Karlsson have gone outside to observe and record the weather. At one of the last manual weather stations on the planet, there are no days off.

Reel Rock: Jirishanca

2024, United States, 32 min

Filmmakers: Peter Mortimer, Josh Lowell, Zachary Barr, Halle Johns, Sender Films, Patagonia Films

Advisory: Coarse and sexual language?

Renowned alpinists Josh Wharton and Vince Anderson attempt a free ascent of the Jirishanca, an epic 6000-metre peak in the Peruvian Andes. The duo will have to tackle 5.13 face climbing, horizontal ice roofs, technical mixed terrain, and treacherous snow mushrooms as they reconcile the inherent risk of climbing with their love of alpine adventure.

Sliding

2024, U.S. Virgin Islands, 4 min

Filmmakers: Katie Tannenbaum, Matiss Spaile, Juris Kudeiko

Advisory: No Advisory

A female athlete skips the crowded ski slopes to traverse the Swiss Alps on her sled…headfirst.

Friday Night Tickets Quartzite

Saturday Night Sandstone

The Streif

2024, Austria, 4 min

Filmmakers: Fabio Wibmer, Christoph Thoresen, Tobi Reindl, Thomas Wernhart, Legs of Steel in cooperation with Sick Cinema

Advisory: No advisory

Fabio Wibmer is back on snow! This time crashing the preparations for the most legendary ski race in the world: the Streif.

River Mamma

2023, USA, 11 min

Filmmakers: Sarah Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton Film, Ryan Weigman

Advisory: Coarse language

River Mamma follows Elisha McArthur, a lifelong raft guide and single mom and her relationship with her teenage goth daughter, Charlotte, who has no interest in rivers at all.

109 Below

(2024 Best Film - Adventure*)

2023, USA, 14 min

Filmmakers: Nick Martini, Stept Studios, Sarah Stewart, Ben Osborne, Lex Hinson

Advisory: No advisory

109 Below tells a tale of resilience and grit when elite rescue volunteers go out of their way to save the lives of strangers.

Keep It Burning

2024, Spain, 32 min

Filmmakers: Guillaume Broust, Manu Moreau, Petzl

Advisory: No Advisory

The Karakoram is the wildest mountain range in the world and Nameless Tower beckons to climbers who approach. Edu Marín, his brother Alex and father Novato attempt the second free ascent of Eternal Flame 33 years after the first ascent by Wolfgang Güllich and Kurt Albert, and 13 years after Alex and Thomas Huber’s first free ascent.

Welcome to the Pit

2024, Canada, 15 min

Filmmakers: Seth Gillis, Charlene Brochu

Advisory: Coarse Language

In 2011, Steve Matthews had a bright idea. With his kids completely hooked on snowboarding, he rallied a few friends and set out to build Yellowknife’s first and only rope tow.

Dolomites (Tour Edit)

2024, France, 33 min

Filmmakers: Kilian Bron, Valentin Birant, VB Films

Advisory: No advisory

Mountain biking free solo and more… Kilian Bron and his team take you on a thrilling and history-rich adventure, riding the steepest trails of the Dolomites.

Undammed

2024, USA, 17 min

Filmmakers: Shane Anderson, Patagonia Films, Swiftwater Films

Advisory: No Advisory

After witnessing a massive fish kill on her ancestral home waters, Yurok tribal attorney Amy Bowers Cordalis dedicated her life to reversing the generations-long destruction wrought by the Klamath River dams.

Undammed follows her journey to free the Klamath, from testifying before Congress to passing down fishing traditions within her young family.

Saturday Night Tickets Sandstone

Date: April 4-5, 2025

Time: 7:00 pm

Venue:

The State Theatre

The Friedman Auditorium

130 W College Avenue

State College, PA

Cost

Two Night Package - $45 (includes fee), Adult - $27 (includes fee); Student - $22 (includes fee)

Buy Tickets

For details https://thestatetheatre.org/events/banff-centre-mountain-film-festival-world-tour/.