In 2013, to encourage the creation of outdoor-themed documentaries in China and discover emerging local directors, Banff China founded the screening event of the “China Outdoor Documentary Unit.” 2014, the “China Outdoor Documentary Unit” was renamed the “China Outdoor Film Project.” 2017, the China Outdoor Film Project received 33 submitted films, from which 11 were selected as finalists, including six major awards.
On June 11, Banff China held the 2017 China Outdoor Film Project Awards Ceremony and winning films screening in Beijing. The award-winning creative teams gathered together, with prestigious award presenters and an audience that went home enriched. Now, let’s take a look at this year’s award winners!
Jury Grand Prize
Seven Kilometers
SEVEN KILOMETERS
One is a top off-road rock climber, the other a painter suffering from severe depression. Together, they decide to embark on the “Hook Road,” where every second could end in a fatal crash.
From breathtaking shots and tense atmosphere to suppressed emotions and the exuberance of reaching life’s summit, the film offers a tribute to life. The audience journeys with them past the threshold of death into a new dawn.
— COFF Jury
Synopsis: Hu Zi, a 60-year-old severe depression sufferer, and off-road rock climber Gao Jinsong decide to take on the dangerously treacherous Hook Road. Facing the possibility of death, will they survive? And will Hu Zi, the depression patient, choose life or death...
Director: Laxi Daerji, an independent Mongolian documentary and music producer born in Beijing. Major works include the documentary “Pamir,” the film “Eternal Heaven,” and the novel “Khoomei.”
Left to right: Award presenter Zhang Yaxin, Good Friend Documentary representative Zou Bo, Banff China founder Tina
Director of “Seven Kilometers,” Laxi Daerji
Best Cinematography
Super Tramps Outdoor Sports Adventure
SUPERTRAMPS
This is not just a film but a celebration of freedom, youth, and life. Exceptional cinematography, combined with the sound of wind blowing through the mic, creates a surprisingly powerful effect. The ever-present wind almost serves as a reminder that, in the end, we must face reality.
Viewers are left longing to join them, to break free and be wild. The film freezes these moments, preserving them in our memories forever.
— COFF Jury
Synopsis: Filmed primarily at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Over two days, facing hunger and bitter cold, the Super Tramps team successfully summited the mountain. At over 5,000 meters altitude, enduring intense altitude sickness, they freely practiced parkour and released their passion.
Creative Team: The Super Tramps team began their journey around China in 2016. Through parkour and innovative outdoor sports, they explore the world from a fresh perspective—embarking on a journey of physical and spiritual integration.
Left to right: Film protagonist Zhang Yao, photographer Kimura, award presenter Michael Brown, Banff China founder Tina
Best Adventure Spirit
Crossing Lake Baikal
CHINA TO SIBERIA:
CROSSING THE LONELIEST LAKE
In the uninhabited winter zone, he completes a 23-day solo crossing, accompanied only by his own reflection in the lens. Traveling by human power is both a challenge to one's limits and a poetic interpretation of harmony with nature.
The film has no flashy visuals or polished narrative structure, yet it touches audiences with sincere, delicate emotion while showcasing the unique beauty of Lake Baikal’s uninhabited region.
— COFF Jury
Synopsis: Chinese human-powered traveler Xu Jiangjun decided to cross nearly 700 kilometers of unmanned area on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal from south to north in the winter of 2017. Over the course of 23 days, he experienced both joy and despair. Can he achieve the biggest dream of his traveling career so far?
Director: Xu Jiangjun, a human-powered traveler, frisbee athlete, fluent in English and Russian. He has cycled solo through 16 countries across three continents and won over 10 frisbee competition championships in four countries. In the summer of 2016, he and Canadian Yuri hiked across the entire South Caucasus, from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. On March 23, 2017, he traversed nearly 700 kilometers of unmanned area on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal from south to north.
Left to right: Director Xu Jiangjun, Award Presenter Li Chengcai, Banff China Founder Tina
Best Outdoor Sports Film
LANDED WE LOVE
Through a niche sport, he explores himself and seeks the fragile connections between people. Anyone who has ever felt lonely will find resonance in this fascinating character.
The captivating editing brings joy and surprise. The film as a whole conveys a sense of hope — the hope that connects people through a shared love of art and sports.
— COFF Jury
Synopsis: In the 17th year of his inline skating journey, China’s top skater Zhang Chi visits Barcelona, the mecca of skating, for the first time to seek classic terrains and embark on his dream journey. With a deep passion for the limits of skating, he shares a spiritual connection with skaters from around the world.
Director: Jia Shijun is a young director passionate about art and music. He underwent years of academic painting training in his early years, developing a profound artistic foundation and keen aesthetic insight. In 2012, he began interning at a New York-based film production company, collaborating with diverse international teams on high-quality advertising and MV projects. His works are cutting-edge and versatile, with detailed portrayals and storytelling through cinematography. He excels at capturing visual nuances and demonstrates sharp artistic insight.
Left to right: Award Presenter Liu Jun, Director Jia Shijun, Banff China Founder Tina
Best Climbing Film
Never the Same
Rock climbing is not only a test of physical strength but also a challenge of courage and wisdom. The near black-and-white imagery at the beginning of the film is profoundly striking.
The film does not merely showcase the sport of climbing but focuses more on the human beings at the heart of the activity.
The ordinary aspects of life intertwine with the tension and thrill of adventure, creating a moving portrait of outdoor athletes.
— COFF Jury
Synopsis: Chinese climbers attempt Madagascar’s big wall route “From Now On” (Never the Same) for the first time.To conquer this extremely challenging climbing route, several climbers face numerous obstacles and truly transform through the process.
Director: Fissure, male, born in 1972 in Yunnan. With over 10 years of exploration and climbing experience, he is a director of extreme sports documentaries whose works have won numerous domestic and international awards. He served as a featured cliff photographer for CCTV’s major documentary “Tibetan Plateau” and is a co-founder of China’s most influential climbing media platform, “Fissure TV.”
Left to right: Award Presenter Xu Qiuli, Producer Guo Zhiqiang, Banff China Founder Tina
Best Running Film
Magellan on Land
THE MAGELLAN ON LAND
This is a concise and artistic film. The perfect blend of local music, contemporary music, and natural sounds makes the film highly creative.
Through striking visuals and smooth editing, it perfectly showcases the full scope of a sporting event, giving viewers an urge to participate in the race and adventure.
— COFF Jury
Synopsis: The World Outdoor Adventure Race held in Altay, Xinjiang, is one of the toughest races in the world. Competitors must rely on just a map and a compass to complete a 360 km cross-country run within 50 hours. What stories unfold during this Chinese outdoor ultramarathon?
Production Team: oxstudio is a professional domestic extreme sports film production agency dedicated to the development and promotion of China’s extreme sports scene. It is the go-to film production agency for Red Bull.
Left to right: Director Liu Jiang, Award Presenter Lao Lang, Banff China Founder Tina
Finalists
Jingle Bells
THE SMALL BELL SOUND
Lotus Tower
LOTUS FLOWERS TOWER
The More We Fall, The Stronger We Rise
TOUGH GET GOING
Antarctic Preschool
Run with Courage: A 520-Kilometer Dream Journey
From left: Liu Jiang, director of *The More We Fall, The Stronger We Rise*; Rocker, director of *Lotus Tower*; Li Xu and Wang Ying, directors of *Jingle Bells*; Liu Yan, award recipient for *Antarctic Preschool*
Later, the audience enjoyed the award-winning films together with the creators, followed by a brief exchange after the screenings. Once again, congratulations to the winning films and their creative teams. We also thank all other contributing creators. See you next year!