THE KYRGYZSTAN PROJECT
Opening Night Feb 8, Centennial Theatre
USA, 2012, 20 minutes Directed by Jim Aikman
"The Kyrgyzstan Project" follows three elite climbers, Matt Segal, Eric Decaria & John Dickey, on a restorative journey to the granite big walls of Kyrgyzstan in central Asia. This film chronicles John's return to Kyrgyzstan and his quest for resolution, as well as Matt and Eric's first expedition since the loss of two of their closest friends to the mountains.
KARAKORAM HIGHWAY
North American Premiere Big Air Feb 9, RIO Theatre
Belgium, 2012, 42 minutes Directed by Olivier Boonjing
Along the legendary Karakoram Highway in northern Pakistan, three paragliders forge their way with the aim of setting new distance and altitude records. This film retraces the daily trials and preparation for this adventure by these pilots in a little known part of the world, but most of all reveals the deep down motivations they harbour.
THE IMPOSSIBLE RIVER JOURNEY
Matinee 1: Adventures from the Southern Hemisphere Feb 9, RIO Theatre
Norway, 2011, 90 minutes Directed by Arild Mehn-Andersen
Adventurer Helge Hjelland decides to cross South Africa by canoe. On the way he picks up Joseph, an illegal refugee from South Sudan without any identification papers. Joseph becomes Helge's assistant and together they journey through a South Africa still struggling to get out of the shadow of Apartheid.
THE OLD BREED
Mountaineering Night Feb 10, Pacific Cinematheque
USA, 2012, 26 minutes Directed by Rufus Lusk & Freddie Wilkinson
Freddie Wilkinson takes us with him on an adventure of true exploratory alpinism. Climbing with Mark Richey and Steve Swenson, both in their 50s, we watch as they push the limits of physical health and will power and experience first hand the monumental risks that climbers are willing to take to be the first to stand atop a mountain.
DOWN THE LINE
World Premiere Matinee 2: Afternoon of Adrenaline Feb 11, RIO Theatre
Canada, 2012, 20 minutes Directed by Francois-Xavier De Ruydts
A handful of dedicated Vancouverites are bringing a new sport to their local mountains: Canyoneering. We are following Damien and Lucia in their quest for "first descent" canyons in the mountains of Squamish, in a cinematic journey down deep slots and magnificent waterfalls. Their love for exploration is dangerous and incredibly committing. Once in a canyon, the only way out is down.
GROUNDSWELL
Environmental Night Feb 12, Centennial Theatre
USA/Canada, 2012, 25 minutes Directed by Chris Malloy
Last fall Raincoast's research vessel, Achiever, set sail into the Great Bear Rainforest with a world-famous team of surfers. Groundswell chronicles not only a world-class surfing adventure, but also provides a cerebral and compelling examination of an issue that embodies a great many aspects of today's environmental challenges and opportunities.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Mountain Bike Night 1 Feb 12, RIO Theatre
Canada, 2012, 52 minutes Directed by Anthill Films
Viewed at a distance, the world of mountain biking is a disjointed network of seemingly similar but disconnected communities. Strength in Numbers is a rally call to connect all mountain bikers, regardless of location or language or discipline. The film captures a true way of life, from the world's best pros to those who are just learning to love the sport.
HIMALAYAN GOLD RUSH
Himalayan Night Feb 13, Pacific Cinematheque
France, 2012, 52 minutes Directed by Eric Valli
Every spring, in a remote part of Nepal, tens of thousands of men, women and children leave their villages for a dangerous trek to
the high Himalaya, sometimes at the cost of their lives, to collect Yarsagumbu -a mysterious transmutation between plant and insect. Used in Chinese medicine, it is worth up to 60 000 USD a kilo - more than gold!
WHERE THE TRAIL ENDS
Mountain Bike: Freeride Exploration Feb 13, Centennial Theatre
Canada, 2012, 81 minutes Directed by Jeremy Grant
Where the Trail Ends is a film following the world's top freeride mountain bikers as they search
for untraveled terrain around the globe, ultimately shaping the future of big mountain free riding. This is the most progressive and ambitious mountain biking ever attempted resulting in an entertainment adventure unlike anything experienced before.
SANDSTONE
North American Premiere Climbing Night 1 Feb 13, RIO Theatre
Czech Republic, 2012, 30 minutes Directed by Petr Kaspar
An exceptional climbing area in the northeast of Czech Republic, which keeps their traditional values and climbing ethics. Hear the historical perspective from the first ascentionists who developed the area and installed their strict ethics - that is, very few bolts and only knotted slings for protection. Fast forward to the leading climbers of today who are still developing cutting edge routes in the area without compromising its important history.
EYE OF THE STORM
North American Premiere Ski Night 1 Feb 14, Centennial Theatre
France, 2012, 23 minutes Directed by Laurent Jamet
The older we get, the more we start thinking about what we do in life. Follow Thibaud Duchosal into some of the wildest places on earth, looking for the answers he seeks. He will soon understand that there are no such answers because what matters is not the finish line but the journey to get there.
CONGO - THE GRAND INGA PROJECT
Whitewater Feb 15, Pacific Cinematheque
USA, 2012, 81 minutes Directed by Steve Fisher
They are the world's biggest rapids, thundering down the final pitch of the mighty Congo. Legendary kayaker Steve Fisher and his elite expedition team battle seemingly insurmountable obstacles in an attempt to survive the Inga Rapids. For centuries, explorers have tried to conquer these rapids, but none succeeded.
CROSSING THE ICE
Great Traverses Feb 15, RIO Theatre
Australia, 2012, 63 minutes Directed by Justin Jones
Two Australian adventurers tackle the perilous journey across Antarctica to the South Pole and back. They plan to be the first to do it completely unassisted - no sled dogs, no wind kites, just two men dragging their food, their shelter and themselves across 1140 kilometres of barren ice. And back again. Winner of the Grand Prize at the Banff Mountain Festival 2012.
THE DREAM FACTORY
Ski Night 2 Feb 16, RIO Theatre
USA, 2012, 80 minutes Produced by Teton Gravity Research
Follow TGR's modern day athletes on this cinematic voyage through Alaska's awe-inspiring expanse, rich history, and colorful characters. Watch as the TGR crew ventures from AK training grounds Jackson Hole, WY, and Pemberton, BC, and delves deep into the Alaskan way of life during a record snowfall year in AK, skiing terrain most of us only dream about.
WIDEBOYZ
North American Premiere Finale Feb 16, Centennial Theatre
UK/USA, 2012, 50 minutes Directed by Chris Alstrin & Paul Diffley
The feature length version of the Reel Rock short. Tom Randall and Pete Whittaker set out to explore the world's hardest offwidths. They complete a brutal two-year training regime, before embarking on a tour of the US. The tour culminates in the first ascent of the ultimate offwidth test piece. Century Crack, the world's hardest offwidth.
CHASING ICE
Matinee 3: Stories of Snow and Ice Feb 16, RIO Theatre
USA, 2012, 74 minutes Directed by Jeff Orlowski
Chasing Ice is the story of one man's mission to change the tide of history by collecting undeniable evidence of our changing planet. With a band of young adventurers in town, Balog began deploying revolutionary time lapse cameras across the brutal Arctic to capture a multi-year record of the worlds changing glaciers.
