Thursday, 7pm

Uni Movies, University Hall UOW

Tickets: banffaustralia.com.au.

All you need is a taste for adventure. Whether as a spectator or a participant, the Banff Mountain Film Festival is set to whet your appetite.

The World Tour of short films is bringing a selection of 10 of the finest from the Canadian festival to the University of Wollongong this Thursday.

Australian Festival Director Jemima Robinson, has described it as being the "tropfest for the mountains".

"Generally they're about climbing, skiing, mountain biking, exploration, and different parts of the world. It's kind of like the Cannes of mountain or outdoor film," she said.

It began in 1986 in the resort town of Banff, while the international roadshow has been landing on our shores for 13 years. It was one persistent local who helped bring it to the Illawarra three years ago, with hundreds now flocking to fill seats at University Hall.

"[Matthew Vernon] always used to drive up to see it in Sydney, and would say "please bring it to Wollongong" and he's really helped spread the word ... he's awesome, he's still coming and really helped us when we were looking for a venue," Ms Robinson said.

Organisers sifted through dozens of films from the competition to bring the best on the roadshow ranging from three minutes in length to 53, and includes films Cerro Torre, Return to the Tepuis and Afterglow.

"The one everyone's going to remember is Cerro Torre. It's this incredible jagged-looking mountain in Patagonia ... and it's about this guy David Lama.

"His dad's a Nepalese sherpa and his mum was Austrian and he grew up in Austria, and was like this superstar of the climbing world in competitions and gyms," Ms Robinson said.

"The movie encapsulates the three-year struggle it took Lama to nail the 'hardest free climbing route' in the world".

Other movies involve a 71-year-old scientist and photographer who goes in search of a tiny toad living in the tepuis of South America; a paddleboard exploration down the Colorado River Delta; and a paragliding tour of snow-capped peaks in Greece.

"There's also a really great short film, Afterglow, and it's the way it's made that makes it incredible. These guys film it in the middle of the night in Alaska, and they're skiing with LED light suits - with 300 of all different colours on each suit."

Robinson believes part of the success of the tour worldwide is the program inspires people regardless of who they are, what they like or what they're into.

"[It inspires you] to do more yourself. Whether it's go to the national park, or get outside more, or watch more of these films, or find out more about these people, it really is impossible to sit through these films and not come out with more of a love of life."

Canadian program co-ordinator Mark Louie feels blessed to share his passions of film and mountains with about 440,000 people spread over 40 countries.

"You need to be sitting in the audience, on the edge of your seat, as film after film of thought-provoking, adrenalin-inducing stories unfold before your eyes," he said.

"At intermission you'll join the excited throng in the lobby of the venue, chatting about the wondrous films you've just seen, meeting and greeting old friends [and making new ones], taking in the various sponsors' exhibit booths, and being giddy with anticipation for the next round of films."