The world's top outdoor film festival is coming to Japan again this year! "Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Japan 2025" starts September 6th

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, a mountain festival.
It will be held in Japan for the 21st time, kicking off on September 6th at the Shiretoko venue in Hokkaido as the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Japan 2025. It is scheduled to be held in seven cities across the country, with films ranging from as short as 2 minutes to as long as 50 minutes. Anticipation is building for the impressive trailer!

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Powerful trailer

12 carefully selected works

Every year, around 400 films are submitted from all over the world, from which the Grand Prix and award-winning works are selected. Due to the vastness of the outdoor field, the themes and depictions are extremely diverse, including the joy of mountains and outdoor sports, their beauty and harshness, and the lives of people living in unknown, unexplored areas. From these, 12 films will be carefully selected and screened in Japan, but please note that the content varies depending on the program. *The recommended film, "Of A Lifetime," is in Program A

Program A

Of A Lifetime/© Banff Centre

Of A Lifetime
Production: Sarl XDLR Suisse (France / 44 minutes)

World-renowned snowboarder Xavier de la Rue, his brother Victor, and his 18-year-old daughter Mila cross the Drake Passage and tackle the steepest icy slopes imaginable. This epic family adventure is set in the breathtaking landscapes of Antarctica

 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 Below/© Banff Centre

109 Below
Production: Stept Studios (USA / 14 min)

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

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

Keep It Burning/© Banff Center

Keep It Burning
Produced by: Petzl (Pakistan / 33 minutes)

One of the majestic mountains towering over the Baltoro Glacier is Trango's "Nameless Tower." Edu Marin, along with his brother Alex and father Novato, will attempt their second free climb of the legendary "Eternal Flame" route on the Nameless Tower

The Last Observers/© Banff Center

The Last ObserversProduced
by: 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

Program B

The Smoke That Thunders/© Banff Center

The Smoke That
ThundersProduction: BTX Productions (Canada / 4 minutes)

Professional kayaker Benny Maher aims to kayak down the legendary Minus Rapids at the foot of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. The sheer force of the river speaks volumes, and an epic experience awaits him, assaulting all five senses

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

Wild Days(Tour Edit)/© Banff Center

Wild Days (Tour Edit)
Production: L'Endroit (France / 50 minutes)

Four friends from Savoy, France, come up with a crazy challenge: to spend 50 days alone in the Denali Mountains of Alaska. On this grueling journey, time fades

Fabio Wibmer performs at the Streif in Kitzbuehel, Austria on January 11, 2024. // Philip Platzer / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202401140230 // Usage for editorial use only //
The Streif/© Banff Center

The Streif
Production: Legs of Steel in cooperation with Sick Cinema (Austria / 3 min)

Four friends from Savoy, France, come up with a crazy challenge: to spend 50 days alone in the Denali Mountains of Alaska. On this grueling journey, time fades

Aniol Serrasolses paddles the river on the Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard on August 6, 2023 // David Sodomka / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202311274121 // Usage for editorial use only //
Ice Waterfalls(Tour Edit)/© Banff Center

Ice Waterfalls (Tour Edit)
Production: MOVIO, Red Bull Media House (Spain / 36 minutes)

Top kayaker Aniol Serasorses has always dreamed of navigating the rivers and waterfalls created by the melting of gigantic glaciers. To pursue his dream, he travels to one of the most remote and unforgiving places on Earth, the Svalbard archipelago, with a team of fellow experienced kayakers and Arctic guides. In the magical Arctic landscape, reality surpasses even his imagination

Dropping Molly/© Banff Center

Dropping Molly
Production: Cedar Wright Productions (USA / 30 min)

Molly Mitchell, a climber, attempts one of Colorado's most dangerous climbing routes, "Crank It." After facing a major challenge when she breaks her spine during the climb, she confronts her fears, anxieties, and inner conflicts, and finds herself again through therapy and self-exploration

Event Overview

Venues and screening dates

■Hokkaido (Shiretoko) @ Shiretoko Nature Center KINETOKO
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Screening time: Program B 11:45 doors open / screening starts at 12:00

■ Fukuoka (Hakata) @ Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Ajibi Hall
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Screening time: Program B 12:30 doors open / screening starts at 13:00

Niigata (Minamiuonuma City) @ Hakkai Mountain Ski Resort Square (outdoors)
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (national holiday)
Screening time: Program A 17:30 doors open / screening 18:30
*Hakkai Mountain Outdoor Festival event opens at 12:00

■Tokyo (Osaki) @
Gate City Osaki Gate City Hall (B1) Dates: Saturday, October 11th to Monday, October 13th, 2025 (National Holiday)
Screening times: Program A: Doors open at 10:30 / Screening starts at 11:00, Program B: Doors open at 14:30 / Screening starts at 15:00

■ Osaka (Shinsaibashi) @ SPACE 14
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2025
Screening time: Program A 10:30 doors open / screening 11:00, Program B 14:30 doors open / screening 15:00

■Hokkaido (Higashikawa Town) @ Higashikawa Town Cultural Arts Exchange Center "Sentopure"
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2025
Screening time: Program A 18:00 screening *Event venue opens at 12:00

Toyama (Asahi Town) @
Asahi Community Hall Azalea Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Screening time: Program A 10:30 doors open / screening 11:00, Program B 14:30 doors open / screening 15:00

Ticket Information


Advance tickets: A/B single program ticket ¥1,500, A/B common program ticket ¥2,500
Same-day tickets: A/B single program ticket ¥1,800, A/B common program ticket ¥3,000
*Free admission for elementary school students and younger when accompanied by an adult or older representative.

*Tickets can be purchased here

Information

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Japan 2025
Official Website: http://www.banff.jp/
Official SNS: Facebook | X

[BANFF in Japan Executive Committee Secretariat]
Reception hours: 10:00-17:00 (weekdays only)
Phone: 03-5324-2231
Email: bmff@wgpr.co.jp

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