The 13th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) begins to come to a close. During the event, the exhibition activities featuring excellent films with multiple genres and types from different countries have breathed fresh life into the Chinese film market. Among them, the Banff China Special Screenings is probably the most special one.

On the big screen, there are the kings of extreme sports challenging the limits of human beings, skiing to the foot of the mountain after their speed solo up K2; there are whales humming and dancing in the blue sea; there are indigenous housewives in their national costumes and with a packsack on their back in the mountains of Bolivia, stepping out of their comfort zone and climbing the highest peak in South America; and there are also people who are physically disabled but have broken through social barriers and are spreading happiness in sports to more people through such sports as rock climbing, surfing, and skiing...

In front of the silver screen, you could see the dogs who accompanied their owners to watch Top Dog Film Festival 2023 win over countless live audiences as soon as they appeared; there were parents who love outdoor sports bringing their children to participate in the sports they long for; there are even many outdoor enthusiasts and movie fans who have been following Banff for years to join their party with their friends. 

Among the films screened last weekend were Banff Mountain Film Festival 2021, Banff Mountain Film Festival 2022, and Top Dog Film Festival 2023. This weekend, on April 29, there will be three other new documentary showings, namely Banff Mountain Film Festival 2023, International Ocean Film Tour 9, and European Outdoor Film Tour 2022. 

　　

　　

　　Scene of one of the screenings

On April 22, the Banff fans and Banff poured out each other’s hearts after a separation. In front of the big screen, the fans enjoyed real, extreme stories, following the adventurers and outdoor sports aces to fly between the clouds, swim in the deep sea, gallop through the woods, and ski from the top of the snowy mountains, as well as the dog rescue team to launch a rescue operation, save lives in the snowy mountains, run in a race, and hike in the Alps, among others.

“It’s really amazing”—which is the voice of the Banff fans. The stories of ordinary dreamers are always that moving, powerful, mind-blowing, and exciting. In the midst of tears, they gasped in admiration, “Why are there still such awesome people in the world?”

　　

　　Scene of one of the screenings

The Top Dog Film Festival was also a huge success, with the “Doggy Theater” living up to everyone’s expectations. Each of the doggies was quiet and docile on site, winning the hearts of the audience. This dovetailed with the founding purpose of the film festival to “showcase the magical, heartwarming and incredibly close bonds between dogs and human”.

　　

　　

　　Scene of one of the screenings

The second weekend of BJIFF 2023 | Banff China Special Screenings is coming up on April 29, which is also the last day of this event.

　　1:00PM-3:15PM, April 29, 2023

　　Banff Mountain Film Festival 2023

　　

This is the latest world tour film from the Banff Mountain Film Festival, and it features slacklining, cycling, skiing, running, adventure, and whitewater kayaking, with topics ranging from sports to female to family. You should never miss it.

　　3:45PM-6:00PM, April 29, 2023

　　International Ocean Film Tour 9

　　

Join them in International Ocean Film Tour to discover why Kerby throws herself into the most dangerous waves time and time again. We invite you to join a whale-watching guide to hear the stories of the whales; to explore the boundaries of sports in surge billows with 17-year-old blind surfer Ben; to watch marine biologist Laurent document the ecosystem in a fascinating underwater world, and the love between squids that is rarely seen. 

　　7:00PM-9:00PM, April 29, 2023

　　European Outdoor Film Tour 2022

　　

As the most elaborately organized outdoor sports film festival in the world, the European Outdoor Film Tour never disappoints its audience. This collection contains seven short films dealing with paragliding, skiing, trail running, rock climbing, and several other outdoor sports. Specially recommended is The Ascent, a story about Sonya, a deaf climber, who breaks through social constraints and founded the ASL Climbing Network to pass on the power she gains from climbing to more people.

　　Schedule