Please tell us about yourself?
Besnik: I was taking a post-sauna walk on a dark and cold October night in Helsinki in 2013, where I saw some candles and a gorgeous Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour poster in front of an event space. Being a mountain lover and outdoor sports enthusiast, I spontaneously walked in and asked about the event and if I could buy a ticket. I discovered from the hosts (Pelle & Adrian/Banff Scandinavia) that the tickets had sold out four months prior. However, after a brief chat, the hosts decided to equip me with a chair from a nearby restaurant and allowed me in. I immediately fell in love with the festival, the incredibly inspiring films, and the overall vibe in the audience.
Being a Kosovar who grew up in Finland, I strongly felt that this is something I would love to organise in Kosovo (together with Blina) – to inspire a young and dynamic nation with some of the most incredible stories from around the world. Organising Banff Kosovo was also a great way for us to stay connected with Kosovo and its outdoor communities, those that inspire us throughout the year with their adventures and experiences. The idea became a reality some years later due to our life situation. We approached the Banff festival team in 2018 and organised our first screening in Kosovo in 2020.
Describe a typical day in your life as a World Tour host?
Blina: A typical day is a delicate balance of planning, precise execution, and constant communication. Our annual festival is in October, so we dedicate the early months of the year to the selection of films. We work on identifying the most compelling mountain and adventure films that suit our audience best, but also films that create awareness of social and environmental issues.
As the calendar progresses, we transition into the organisational phase. Fundraising becomes a top priority, requiring engagement with potential sponsors and donors to secure the financial resources – essential for delivering a high-quality festival experience. We collaborate closely with our partners, crafting comprehensive marketing strategies, refining our social media presence, and fine-tuning the festival's content and messaging.
As we approach the festival dates, our efforts shift into high gear. A typical day may involve working closely with designers to ensure that our promotional materials seamlessly align with the festival's identity. It could swiftly transition to overseeing technical tests in the cinema to ensure flawless audio-visual synchronization. Simultaneously, our communication outreach is in full swing. We engage with local news publications, arrange TV and radio interviews, and diligently promote Banff Kosovo. Managing ticket sales and distributing invitations to esteemed guests become focal points of our daily tasks. We might also distribute physical posters to key bars and restaurants in town, often accompanied by an introduction to the festival and perhaps a drink or two with the owners. Throughout these activities, the atmosphere is one of high energy and a sense of urgency, yet we strive to keep calm and enjoy the process.
Amidst our busy schedules, our commitment to community engagement remains unwavering. The support of local sports clubs and communities is vital for the festival's success. Therefore, to show respect, we actively participate in their activities, joining trail running enthusiasts, embarking on exhilarating cycling adventures, scaling challenging climbing routes, or even sharing the thrill of a tennis match. After these adventures, we sometimes gather for a well-deserved beer, all in the spirit of building genuine connections. These experiences provide valuable insights, deepen our understanding of their passions, and help establish bonds of friendship. Our engagement underscores our dedication to fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences.
Banff Kosovo is more than just a festival; it's a celebration of vibrant cultures and passionate individuals who make up our community and who inspire us throughout the year. It's these personal connections that infuse our work with purpose and drive us to create an exceptional and unforgettable festival year after year.
Tell us about any funny stories, memorable moments, and mishaps from the road?
Besnick & Blina: Our Banff Kosovo journey in 2020 kicked off with boundless enthusiasm. Little did we know Covid-19 had its own plans to prank the world, Kosovo included! Theatres and cinemas took an unscheduled siesta in April, and our show was set for the first week of October. We thought it was just a short game. So, we worked tirelessly to pull off the event.
Over time, our event seemed to be slipping away, but quitting was an idea we ignored. We kept pushing forward, facing the ups and downs of ever-changing restrictions. Then, just like in a feel-good movie, the restrictions vanished miraculously barely a week before our show! That year, Banff Kosovo was the only film festival organised in Kosovo, and the response was incredible. The show went off without a hitch, the audience was overjoyed, and we celebrated as if we had just conquered the tallest mountain.
What would you say are the differences/challenges hosting in your country?
Besnick & Blina: In Kosovo, the landscape for hosting outdoor sports and adventure-related events is incredibly promising. The surge in popularity of these activities and the burgeoning outdoor communities reflect a dynamic, young population with a natural curiosity for new experiences. We have been fortunate to receive extensive backing from the communities, sponsors, local media, athletes, and other influential figures in social media. However, despite these favourable conditions, we have realised that convincing people to attend a cinema screening of mountain and adventure films can be more work than initially anticipated.
In our case, organising the festival goes hand in hand with a continuous effort to introduce and educate our audience about the profound inspiration these films provide. This educational process often relies on the trusted word-of-mouth approach. One of the fantastic aspects we've observed is that once someone attends our festival, they become captivated, and these films linger in their thoughts throughout the year. With this in mind, we hold hope that, as more individuals experience the magic of these films firsthand, our efforts to convince people to join us will gradually diminish in the near future.
Any other updates that you’d like to share?
Besnick & Blina: In Kosovo, the significance of donors and sponsorship cannot be overstated to maintain low ticket prices. Fundraising poses a substantial challenge for our small team, and it's an aspect we continually strive to enhance. Looking ahead, we envision the potential to attract international sponsors, which would undoubtedly be a game-changer. The infusion of international sponsorship into Banff Kosovo is not merely about hosting an event; it represents an opportunity to forge a lasting legacy of inspiration, adventure, and environmental awareness in one of the world's newest independent countries. It's a chance to support a nation on the cusp of growth, especially within its burgeoning outdoor sports communities.
Authors: Besnik Shala and Blina Meta (World Tour Hosts, Kosovo)
If you’re interested in becoming an international World Tour Host (for countries outside of Canada/USA), please email: worldtourinfo@banffcentre.ca
