Chongqing - On September 20th, the Banff Mountain Film Festival - a world-renowned event celebrating outdoor culture and adventure filmmaking, originated in Canada — made its highly anticipated debut in Chongqing. Hosted in Jiangbei District, the festival brought a thrilling selection of films centered on mountain sports and exploration to the megacity, energizing its rapidly growing outdoor community.

A host of distinguished guests gathered at the Banff Mountain Film Festival opening ceremony in Chongqing. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

This year's festival features four themed screening modules, comprising nearly 30 highlight films focusing on outdoor activities, including climbing, hiking, cave exploring, and skiing, from around the world. Ms. Eva Yu, Consul General of Canada in Chongqing, attended the opening and emphasized the festival's role in fostering bilateral cultural and values exchange.

The opening ceremony featured a special screening of The City Is the Mountains, a creative short film commissioned for the Chongqing stop of the festival. Directed by OurFilm's Vernon Chen in collaboration with local outdoor clubs and athletes, the video magnificently blends Chongqing's unique 8D topography, river culture, and historic architecture with dynamic scenes of rock climbing, trail running, cycling, and water sports. The film has been widely praised for its powerful visual language and its celebration of how the city’s distinctive landscape offers unmatched potential for outdoor adventure.

Director Vernon Chen at the opening of the Banff Film Festival. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

For director Vernon Chen, the project represents a deeply personal fusion of his professional expertise, passion for the outdoors, and love for his hometown. “Chongqing is where I grew up, filmmaking is my profession, and the outdoors is my passion,” he remarked during an interview. Although many scenes — such as paragliding over skyscrapers or skiing through narrow lanes — are artistic metaphors rather than literal recommendations, they convey a powerful message: “When you have the heart for adventure, anywhere can be your mountain.” Chen also shared that the positive feedback, especially from international viewers on platforms like YouTube, has reinforced his belief in Chongqing’s storytelling potential. “Viewers abroad were surprised—they didn’t expect a megacity like Chongqing to offer such rich possibilities for outdoor sports. That’s the narrative I want to expand: one that reimagines the urban environment through an adventurer’s eyes.” 

When asked about his evolution as a filmmaker, from French Girl in Chongqing to this festival piece, Chen emphasized, “I always want to bring something new. After finishing the French Girl trilogy, I knew it was complete. Like the game studio that made Black Myth: Wukong and moved on to new IP, I also want to keep creating fresh, unprecedented work that captures the spirit of Chongqing in ways people haven’t seen.”

Distinguished guests jointly cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. (Photo/Qihai Deng)

The introduction of the Banff Mountain Film Festival is seen as a significant step in elevating Chongqing’s profile as a hub for outdoor sports and ecotourism. By showcasing global stories of adventure and environmental awareness, the event aims to inspire more Chongqing residents to explore the natural beauty in and around their city — further strengthening its identity as a leading destination for mountain culture in China.