The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour always offers a round-up of spell-binding and inspirational films. I know, because I’ve been before and this year the potential film line-up looks just as awesome. Already a mainstay in Glasgow, this year the Film Festival also comes to Edinburgh.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. The “mothership” festival has been held at the start of November each year since 1975 in Banff (well, obviously!) in Canada.  The festival draws some of the world’s best film-makers and outdoor heroes to celebrate adventure, the environment, mountain culture and the outdoors through film.

Hot on the heels of the festival each year, the best films head off on the Banff Mountain Festival World Tour with stops in 285 communities and 30 countries.  The Banff films toured across the UK for the first time in 2010 and returned in 2011 visiting even more cities across England, Scotland and Wales.

Through the big screen you see highlights of incredible adventure sports, visit remote cultures and some of the world’s last great wild places.

The full programme of the World Tour films have not yet been confirmed but will include:

Cold – Until now, 16 expeditions have tried and failed to climb one of Pakistan’s 8000 metre peaks in the heart of winter. In early 2011, Simone Moro, Cory Richards and Dennis Urubko set out to be the first.  This film captures chilling first-hand footage of their attempt and reveals a harrowing descent that amplifies their isolation and exposure – and then an avalanche hits…

Reel Rock: Obe and Ashima – There’s a nine year old girl from New York taking the climbing world by storm, and her name is Ashima Shiraishi. Guided by her passionate coach and former bouldering star Obe Carrion, this tiny master is crushing competitions and raising the bar for climbing’s youth. The film provides a glimpse of the past for Obe and new adventures for Ashima.

All I Can: The Short Cut – A special Tour edit of the award-winning ski film that combines thought provoking issues with mind-blowing snow sports action. Stunning time-lapse sequences, deep powder and an incredible urban downhill skiing scene are just some of the highlights.

For Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour tickets and information go to www.Banff-uk.com