THE 2026 programme of Banff Mountain Film Festival screenings starts its local dates on Friday 6th February at Poole’s Lighthouse arts centre cinema, with the Red programme.
The short films range from extreme climbing and kayaking to mountain biking and other dazzling adventures in wild places.
With extreme climbing, kayaking, mountain biking and the one of the world’s most gruelling races, the festival’s two programmes – red and blue – feature two new collections of inspirational short films from remote corners of the planet.
“Immerse yourself in a night of gripping adventure – up on the big screen!” says tour director Neil Teasdale. “The Banff Mountain Film Festival showcases the year’s most inspiring stories of adventure, with cutting-edge expeditions, extraordinary human resilience and the enduring magic of wild places.”
The films are chosen from hundreds of entries into the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, which is held every November in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. The UK and Ireland tour is back for its 17th year, and will visit more than 50 locations in spring and autumn 2026.
“Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or simply love great storytelling, this year’s films offer something for everyone,” adds Neil.
This year’s highlights include:
Gabon Uncharted
Four elite whitewater kayakers embark on a 12-day descent of the mysterious Ivindo River in Gabon, Central Africa. Battling towering waterfalls and treacherous rapids, this is a story of friendship, teamwork and passion. A high-stakes adventure revealing the gritty reality behind the veneer of social media.
The Finisher
The extraordinary story of British runner Jasmin Paris and her groundbreaking completion of the Barkley Marathons, a race known for its extreme difficulty, cryptic rules and unpredictable conditions. Only a handful of runners have ever completed the course, and never any women. The Finisher chronicles Jasmin’s three-year journey of preparation and brutal scenes from the race itself in this monumental achievement.
Mandala
A spellbinding mountain bike journey through Nepal, from the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the vertiginous mountain paths of the Himalayas. Starring legendary French mountain biker Kilian Bron, who is passionate about finding the balance between culture and sport, Mandala is a visual and sensory work of art.
Dates and venues so far announced for both red and blue programmes, are:
Poole, Lighthouse Theatre, 6th February (red programme) and 11th March (blue)
Exeter Corn Exchange 11th February (red programme) and 12th (blue)
Wimborne Minster, Tivoli Theatre, 14th February (red) and 18th November (blue)
Bath Komedia, 3rd March (red), 4th March (blue)
Bristol Victoria Rooms, 25th and 27th March (red), 26th March (blue)
Exeter Corn Exchange, 14th April (red)
Christchurch, Regent Centre, 22nd April (red), 23rd April (blue)
Salisbury City Hall, 17th October (red)
Pictured: Real Rock Riders, photograph by Drew Smith; Mandalay, photograph by Pierre Viera; The Finisher, photograph by Drew Darby; Emil and Karl, photograph by Marcus Witte; Gabon Uncharted;