November 26, 2020, Banff AB – The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is launching its 2020-2021 World Tour today, beginning with virtual screenings and some in-person events scheduled to begin in the New Year.
As is tradition, following the on-site Festival, select films are curated into a touring program that is hosted in locations over 40 countries and over 550 locations worldwide. With the complications of offering exclusively in-person world tour screenings during a global pandemic, Banff Centre is offering a hybrid model of the World Tour.
The ability to host local screenings of our Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour depends on regional restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Banff Centre’s World Tour team is working with local hosts around the world to explore where screenings can happen.
We encourage audiences to check with their local World Tour hosts about what is available in their community for a Banff Centre World Tour screening. The magic of our programming comes from bringing a global community together to be inspired and challenged by our incredible films.
Karin Stubenvoll, Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Manager
As an alternative to in-person screenings, two exciting 2020/21 World Tour programs are being made available today to rent directly from Banff Centre. Each program includes a curated selection of films to watch at home, including a few of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival Competition award winners. More virtual programs will be added throughout the year.
We are grateful to and uplifted by our incredible community of mountain culture enthusiasts around the world. I am so proud of our Festival and World Tour teams for navigating the restrictions of this period and finding a way to connect our community even though we are apart.
Janice Price, President and CEO of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, home of the Festival
The 2020 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival celebrated its 45th anniversary by hosting a virtual edition of the full festival, including showcasing 75 films from around the world, 21 book finalists, with 40 events including curated film programs and guest speakers, as well as a virtual online marketplace and beer tent where filmmakers and guest speakers joined audience for discussions and questions. Awards were given in our international film, book, and photography competitions.
Stay up to date on World Tour news, local screenings, and new programs here.