Two legendary wildlife conservationists honoured at Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Posted on
October 02, 2024
BANFF, Alberta - The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is proud to announce the winners of this year’s Summit of Excellence Award are Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison. Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison have committed decades of their lives to the conservation and documentation of wildlife and the landscape of the Canadian Rockies, with Heuer having played a major role in bringing back bison to Banff National Park after 140 years.
Every year, the Summit of Excellence Award recognizes an individual, or in this case individuals, who have made a significant contribution to mountain life in Canada. The list of past recipients celebrates mountaineers, authors, photographers, mountain guides, musicians, teachers, and rescue specialists. The two winners will be recognized at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival this year.
Heuer and Allison join their peers to receive this honour, having made significant contributions to documentary film, literature, and conservation advocacy. At different points in their lives, the pair has documented and followed the porcupine caribou herd’s movement through Yukon and Alaska; paddled, sailed, and hopped trains across Canada; and advocated for the return of bison to Banff National Park. Many of these journeys were documented by Allison through award-winning films and books.
Heuer and Allison’s national legacy is felt by all who have met them, read their books, or watched their films. Their impact on the conservation of Western Canadian ecosystems is undeniable and their work has crossed borders. Its impact will be felt by many generations to come.
Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is a globally recognized event and tour celebrating the beauty, adventure, and culture of mountains globally. The nine-day festival will be held from October 26 through to November 3 this year and features over 70 events, bringing films and stories of adventure and exploration from around the world to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta. The festival showcases live events with adventurers, authors, photographers, and filmmakers sharing their inspiring stories.
Online films are available in Canada and the United States from November 6 to 13.
Please visit banffcentre.ca/film-fest for more information.
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