Film Festival

About the Event

Film Festival Brings Mountains Even Closer to Plattsburgh

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Jan. 26, 2010) – High mountain skiers, rock climbers and mountain cultures will descend on SUNY Plattsburgh this February. These, along with others, are the focus of the Banff Film Festival World Tour.

Once a year, according to Banff organizers, the world's best films with mountain themes draw an international audience to the town of Banff, Canada. The winning films are then presented around the world in 200 cities, including Plattsburgh.

"Before I became the chair of Expeditionary Studies, I knew about the Banff Mountain Film Festival. When I started in this position, I knew that part of my goals included bringing a dose of ‘mountain culture’ to our campus as a whole," said Dr. Larry Soroka, director of the Adirondack Experience and chair of Expeditionary Studies. "The World Tour fit the bill perfectly."

The film festival draws crowds, not only from the campus, but from all over the region. Many follow the film festival around Northern New York.

"This is the type of event that people come back to year after year," said Joan Kornecki of Expeditionary Studies. "I already have people contacting me in October to find out when this year’s festival will be held."

A selection from the winning films will be presented, complete with an introduction from a Banff Film Festival representative, Monday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m., E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall.

Tickets are free for SUNY Plattsburgh students; $5 for faculty/staff; and $8 for the general public. Prizes like outdoor gear will be awarded at the viewings.