ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour will make its Western North Carolina stop in Asheville this year. Ticket proceeds from the downtown Asheville screenings will go directly to MountainTrue.

What is the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival?

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is an annual showcase of short films featuring the great outdoors. Festival films routinely feature outdoor sports like skiing, climbing and mountain biking from all corners of the Earth. Past shorts have depicted everything from adventures in Antarctica to journeys through the jungle.

The festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The world tour will stop for two nights in Asheville, N.C. Attendees can expect to see between six and eight movies per screening.

The event will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Asheville. Tickets range from $22–38, though MountainTrue members receive 10% off ticket price. Different films will be shown each night.

Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 1. Find tickets here.

How does MountainTrue benefit from the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival?

MountainTrue, a local environmental conservation nonprofit, will be the World Tour Host for the festival’s stop in Asheville. All ticket sales will go directly to the organization.

“The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is an annual tradition for our community, bringing the spirit of outdoor adventure and mountain culture to the heart of the Blue Ridge,” said Amy Finkler, MountainTrue development and engagement manager. “As one of MountainTrue’s largest fundraising events of the year, this tradition celebrates the grit, beauty and wonder of the wild places we work so hard to protect.”

The event was organized in collaboration with local MountainTrue sponsors, who assisted the nonprofit with film screening and venue rental costs.

“We receive funding from our general local sponsors who make this event possible,” Finkler said. “This event brings together people that love the outdoors and have a common interest in working to protect the places we live, work and play.”

What to expect at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival in Asheville

In addition to seeing several short films, festival attendees will have the opportunity to take a photo with the MountainTrue French Broad Mermaid and a giant hellbender puppet.

Additionally, “we did add a community and sponsor activation room this year to give folks a chance to chat with organizations making a difference,” Finkler said.

Every attendee will also be entered to win several free door prizes donated by local businesses.

As far as films go, Finkler said she was most excited to see “Best Day Ever,” a 48 minute film about adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi and their Vermont bike riding community.

Find a full list of possible selections at www.banffcentre.ca/banffmountainfestival/tour/25-26-films.

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