At 2:00 PM on February 20, 2014, accompanied by the passionate theme music of the Banff Mountain Film Festival and stunning extreme sports visuals, the 5th anniversary celebration of Banff China and the launch ceremony of the China Outdoor Film Festival commenced on the stage area of Level 3 at the National Convention Center.
Known as the "Oscar of the Outdoors," the Banff Mountain Film Festival officially entered China in 2010, bringing to Chinese audiences the world’s latest and most outstanding outdoor documentaries and the lifestyles they portray each year. Now, having been in China for five years, Banff has not only become a trendsetter in outdoor culture, driving the development of China’s outdoor industry, but also sparked deep reflections on life and living among countless individuals. Qian Haiying, founder of Yingtao Sihua Culture Communication, the organizer of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour China Exhibition, announced at the launch ceremony that the 2014 Banff Mountain Film Festival China Tour will be held from May to July in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. In addition to screening the latest films, a series of events will be held to celebrate Banff China’s fifth anniversary, including a retrospective exhibition, a carnival, adventure film training sessions, and talks and sharing sessions with domestic and international explorers and filmmakers.
In 2013, to encourage Chinese outdoor documentarians, Yingtao Sihua Culture Communication established the “China Outdoor Documentary Unit,” which received an enthusiastic and highly successful response from both documentary filmmakers and audiences. In 2014, the “China Outdoor Documentary Unit” was renamed the “China Outdoor Film Festival.” Submissions opened in March 2014, and the shortlisted films will be screened alongside the Banff Mountain Film Festival China Tour from May to July. Winning works will be submitted to the Banff Mountain Film Festival after the award ceremony in July. Ms. Qian Haiying said: “We believe that through the efforts of us and the many outdoor documentarians, and with the support of Chinese audiences and partners across various industries, before long, we will see Chinese faces on the awards podium in Banff, Canada.”
Mr. Tobias Grober: “The Banff Mountain Film Festival is truly wonderful, and we are honored to be its partner.” “We hope that after watching the films, everyone will truly step outside and into nature.”
(Second from left) Mr. Tobias Grober, Director of the Consumer Goods Project Group, Messe München International
(First from left) Mr. Wang Yilei, Director of the Consumer Goods Group, Messe München (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Ms. Zhu Haiyan: “Dreams that we thought were unattainable have come true through the films shown at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.”
Ms. Zhu Haiyan, Product Department Head, Kailas Brand
Mr. Zhang Heng: “We will keep walking with you all the way.”
Mr. Zhang Heng, General Manager/Founder, Sanfo Outdoor Products Development Co., Ltd.
Ms. Zhang Jingwei: “Last year, we supported the China Outdoor Documentary Unit. Thank you, Tina, for leading Chinese outdoor films onto the path to Banff, Canada.”
Ms. Zhang Jingwei, Marketing Director, Gore-Tex China
Representatives of the 2013 China Outdoor Documentary Unit creative team