The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, a mountain festival with a history of over 50 years, will be held in Japan for the 21st time. The "Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Japan 2026" will kick off on September 27th (Sunday) at the Hakkaisan Ski Resort in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture. The festival is scheduled to take place in seven cities across Japan, with films ranging from a minimum of 2 minutes to a maximum of about 50 minutes. This year, an online event is also planned, and anticipation is high thanks to the exciting trailer!
INDEX
Powerful trailer
A selection of the finest works
Each year, approximately 400 films are submitted from around the world, from which the Grand Prix and other award-winning works are selected. The themes and depictions are incredibly diverse, reflecting the vastness of the outdoor field, encompassing the joys, beauty, and harshness of mountaineering and outdoor sports, as well as the lives of people living in little-known, remote areas. A selection of these films will be screened in Japan, but it is important to note that the content will vary depending on the venue and program
Program A
Cold Calls – Japan / © Banff Center
Cold Calls – Japan Production: Blank Collective Films, Alexi Godbout (Canada / 6 minutes)
Fragments of conversation, lingering memories, coincidences unique to that season—
The Hive Architect / © Banff Center
The Hive Architect
For the past 14 years, Matt Somerville has been building log beehives during the winter and traveling around England in the summer to install them. This film captures his quiet and unwavering efforts to cultivate "homes for wild bees" with minimal human intervention
Old Man Lightning (Tour Edit) /© Banff Center
Old Man Lightning (Tour Edit) Production: Sarl XDLR Suisse (USA / 46 minutes)
Climbing legend John Verm Sherman faces the realities of aging, beer, and the endangered condor as he attempts one last climb of Yosemite's legendary route, "Midnight Lightning."
Mandala (Tour Edit) /© Banff Center
Mandala (Tour Edit) Production: Kilian Bron, Valentin Birant Films (France / 6 minutes)
Kilian Bron and his companions travel from Kathmandu to the remote Dolpo region of Nepal. Their journey through a uniquely isolated valley, traversing breathtaking ridgelines and timeless villages, is filled with the thrill of adventure and the interplay of human connection
Black Eyes / © Banff Centre
Black Eyes Production: Manigua Productions; Mateo Arango Guerrero (Australia / 19 minutes)
In the timeless landscape of Mongolia's Altai Mountains, 13-year-old Karakoz embodies both the traditions inherited from her ancestors and a modern sensibility. Through her learning of the ancient art of falconry, the film explores the importance of passing on sacred wisdom to the next generation
Best Day Ever /© Banff Center
Best Day Ever Produced by Richmond Mountain Trails, Berne Broudy (USA / 48 minutes)
This film follows adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Ally Bianchi as they face the constant challenges of living with disabilities with humor and a positive attitude. Within the rich natural beauty of Vermont, the film vividly portrays mutual support, friendship, and pure joy within their riding community
Program B
Flow Vision (Tour Edit) /© Banff Center
Flow Vision (Tour Edit) Produced by: Ambroise Trauet (France / 8 minutes)
According to Ambroise, the allure of downhill skateboarding lies in those special moments that only come around two or three times a season, or even just a few times in a lifetime. To fully experience that feeling, he takes on some of Europe's most challenging routes, immersing himself in the "flow state" that emerges beyond the limits
Robson / © Banff Centre
Robson
World-class ski mountaineers Christina Rustenberger and Guillaume Pierre attempt the first descent of the south face of Mount Robson, a feat that has been thwarted by generations of climbers. This epic film traces the footsteps of pioneers and the great legacy they have left behind
Bridgers / © Banff Centre
Bridgers : Second Original, Joseph Fletcher (USA / 12 minutes)
Two ski patrol officers based in Bozeman observe the rapid changes sweeping through their beloved hometown and ski environment. Dean Blunt, with 50 seasons of experience, quietly accepts the future, and his perspective vividly resonates with his younger colleague
Arctic Alchemy /© Banff Center
Arctic Alchemy Production: Field Work Creative, Wild Confluence, Zeppelin Zeerip, Colin Arisman (USA / 29 minutes)
Roman Dial, a renowned Alaskan adventurer and climate scientist, embarks on an expedition to investigate the source of a mysterious phenomenon polluting water systems. He grapples with past losses while exploring the awe and grandeur of nature
Loving Karma (Tour Edit) /© Banff Center
Loving Karma (Tour Edit) Produced by: High Altitude Films, Sparkling Particles, Johnny Burke, Andrew hinton (UK, USA / 40 minutes)
"Loving Karma" is a sequel to "Tashi and the Monk." It follows Lobsang Phuntsok, a former monk who takes in underprivileged children and runs a small school at the foot of the Himalayas, raising them with deep love and compassion. The film depicts the story 12 years after the previous film, which focused on the growth of the young girl Tashi as she experiences the power of love. It quietly portrays the changes brought about by the passage of time and the enduring bond that remains unchanged
Yamanashi Archive Selection
The Yamanashi venue will screen a "Yamanashi Archive Selection" different from the other venues. This special program brings together popular works from the past two years
2 Legs is 2 Easy /© Banff Center
2 Legs is 2 EasyProduced by: Pierre Henni (USA / 7 minutes)
Steve Karczewski was born with bone cancer in his left leg and has never been able to stand on his own two legs since he was born. However, he has never given up on what he wanted to do as an outdoor athlete, and he teaches us the courage to face difficulties
109 Inside / © Banff Centre
109 Below Produced by Stept Studios (USA / 14 minutes)
This film depicts the tenacity and determination of an elite group of rescue volunteers who risk their lives to save the lives of strangers. In 1982, a rescue on Mount Washington changed not only the lives of two climbers, but also the lives of the rescuers who attempted to save them
The Last Observers /© Banff Center
2 Legs is 2 EasyProduction : Patagonia Films (USA / 24 minutes)
Located on the southwest coast of Sweden, the country's last remaining manual weather station is soon to be automated. This film depicts, with beautiful visuals, the story of a couple who have found true happiness in coexistence with nature and have lived a simple, peaceful life
Eliot Jackson – Drop The Mic/© Banff Center
Eliot Jackson – Drop The MicProduction : Scott Secco Films (Canada / 2 minutes)
Elliot Jackson is a former professional mountain biker who is now retired and passionate about various social causes, but he's also one of the coolest scrub whip riders in the mountain bike world
SOUNDSCAPE / © Banff Centre
SOUNDSCAPE
Eric Weihenmayer is a world-renowned adventure athlete and author who is completely blind. In a world without sight, he uses the location of echoes, touch, and imagination to climb mountains. Join him as he ascends the massive rock faces of high mountains deep in the Sierra Nevada range
A Team Sport/© Banff Centre
A Team Sport Production: Stept Studios (USA / 16 minutes)
Courtney DeWalter is one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time. In 2023, she achieved the unprecedented "Triple Crown" of ultrarunning by winning three legendary 100-mile races in a single summer: the Western States 100, the Hardrock 100, and the UTMB. But behind her incredible success lies the team behind her
EARTHSIDE / © Banff Centre
EARTHSIDE Production: The North Face (USA / 33 minutes)
Séb Bouin, a 29-year-old French sport climber, has steadily built up an elite record. Seeking a new challenge, he arrived in the Verdon Gorge in France, a place with deeply carved rock faces. He will spend countless years attempting to conquer the world's most difficult route, 9c (5.15d)
BCMFF in Japan 2026 Online Program
The online stream will feature a completely different program from the live event. A viewing fee of 1,500 yen allows access from November 16th (Monday) to November 30th (Monday) at 23:00 (viewing must be completed within 72 hours of starting). Tickets go on sale August 1st
The Book of George /© Banff Center
The Book of George
From the concrete jungle of Brooklyn to the wilderness of the Everglades, Black photographer George MacKenzie Jr. traded the weight of a gun for the hope of his camera, finding his mission in the overwhelming beauty of nature
Ephemeral / © Banff Centre
Ephemeral
As the ice climbing season gets shorter each year, climber Jeff Mercier heads to the harsh glacial regions of Iceland. Challenging the ever-changing ice and dangerous terrain, he pushes his own limits and the possibilities of ice climbing
One Step Ahead /© Banff Center
One Step
Bernd Marius, a Norwegian skier who lost his leg in an accident, rises again and returns to the majestic slopes of the Søndmore Alps. This is a powerful story of recovery as he takes on the sport he loves more than anything
Reel Rock: Riders on the Storm /© Banff Center
Reel Rock: Riders on the Storm
Big wall climber Sieb Vanhee, along with fellow Belgian climber Nico Fabres and Sean Villanueva Odriscoll, will attempt the first free ascent of the seemingly impregnable route "Riders on the Storm" on the east face of Torre Central in Patagonia
The Book of George /© Banff Center
The Finisher: Jasmin Paris and the Barkley Marathons
This film follows ultra-runner Jasmine Paris as she attempts to become the first woman to complete the grueling Berkeley Marathon, a race with a 38-year history. It depicts her tenacity and courage as she overcomes numerous setbacks and pushes the limits of her endurance and potential with an indomitable spirit
Event Overview
Venues and screening dates
■Niigata (Minamiuonuma City) @Hakkaisan Foothills Ski Resort Plaza (Outdoor) Date: September 27th (Sun)
■Tokyo (Osaki) @Gate City Osaki Gate City Hall (B1) *Parent-child room available
■Osaka (Shinsaibashi) @SPACE 14 Date: Saturday, October 24
■Yamanashi (Kofu) @Yamanashi Gakuin University Stage 21 Memorial Hall Date: Saturday, October 31
■Aichi (Nagoya) @Menicon Theater Aoi Date: Saturday, November 7th
■Toyama (Asahi-machi) @Asahi Community Hall Azalea
■Hokkaido (Higashikawa Town) @Higashikawa Town Cultural Arts Exchange Center "Sentopia" Date: November 15th (Sun)
Ticket Information
Advance tickets: A/B single program tickets ¥1,500, A/B combined program ticket ¥2,500.
*Purchase ticketshere
Information
Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Japan 2026http://www.banff.jp/ Facebook |X
[BANFF in Japan Executive Committee Secretariat]bmff@wgpr.co.jp
