Soul-stirring films of intrepid journeys and daredevils from around the world feature in four evening and matinee sessions of three hours.
The festival opens today at 5.30pm with multi-award-winning New Zealand documentary Last Paradise (2010), which charts the evolution of adventure sports over 45 years. Director Clive Neeson, of Oakura, will introduce his film in person.
Guest speakers will introduce each session, including Wanaka climber, mountaineer, paraglider pilot and alpine guide Mal Haskins, tonight at 8pm.
A total of 15 aspiring film-makers took the opportunity to submit their entries of up to 15 minutes for the festival short film competition, based on the theme "the spirit of adventure". Three of the best will be selected for screening on Sunday, at 6pm.
Festival manager Malcolm Blakey said this week everything was shaping up well before opening night and audiences were in for incredible experiences.
"I've watched all the films and they're very powerful, quite moving, with amazing visuals and sound," he said.
• The Winter Games Adventure Film Festival, Queenstown Memorial Hall, Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children, or a pass for all sessions is $60. Tickets are available from i-Site Visitor Centre Queenstown, TicketDirect and the Winter Games NZ office in the hall.
Limited half-price matinee session tickets are available on www.bookme.co.nz
