Banff Film Fest will Benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Image courtesy of The Banff Centre

KODAK, Tn. -- On March 26th at 7 PM the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour comes to Knoxville's Bijou Theatre. Host Blue Ridge Mountain Sports will donate proceeds from ticket sales to Friends of the Smokies to help preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

"Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is celebrating their 40 anniversary as a company. We are very excited to bring Banff Mountain Film Festival back to Knoxville. We are also very fortunate to partner with Friends of the Smokies which is such an amazing organization. Monday evening is almost here and it will be a night you won't want to miss, "says Michael Smith, manager at Blue Ridge's Bearden location in Knoxville.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival, a program of The Banff Centre, is the largest, and one of the most prestigious, mountain festivals in the world. With stops planned in about 390 communities and 35 countries across the globe, this year's tour features a collection of the most inspiring action, environmental, and adventure films from the festival.

Traveling to exotic landscapes and remote cultures, and bringing audiences up-close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports, the 2011/2012 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world.

"People in Knoxville and in the communities surrounding our national park love outdoor adventures. These films feature unforgettable human accomplishments in the most incredible surroundings," explains Friends Marketing Director Holly Scott. "We thank Blue Ridge Mountain Sports for bringing Banff to Tennessee for the third year in a row, and for choosing us as their nonprofit partner."

For tickets and information contact Blue Ridge Mountain Sports at 865-588-2638 or 865-675-3010. Tickets can be purchased online at www.knoxbijou.com.

Friends of the Smokies is a non-profit organization that helps preserve and protect Great Smoky Mountains National Park by raising funds and public awareness and providing volunteers for needed projects. Since 1993, Friends of the Smokies has raised more than $37 million to help support wildlife conservation, education, and other park priorities. To learn more, go online to www.FriendsOfTheSmokies.org.

Published March 26, 2012