About the Event: The Adventure Continues!
Summit’s Scott Kress will be speaking at the 2024 Elora Adventure Film Festival (EAFF). Tickets are now on sale for their expanded 2024 festival taking place between Nov 7-10, 2024 in the village of Elora, which has been voted as the most beautiful village in Canada.
The festival is the brainchild of founder and long-time Elora resident, Ian Evans. In 2023, Ian, a lifelong adventurer with experience in international film festivals saw the first festival sellout in this culture-rich destination in southern Ontario.
As well as 21 film screenings at the oldest repertory cinema in Ontario, The Gorge Cinema, for 2024 we are including our “Speakers Series” at the Elora Centre For The Arts (ECFA). The EAFF founder, Ian Evans kicks off the talks on Nov 9th at 11:00 a.m. with 100% of the proceeds donated to ECFA. Ian is followed by our very own Scott Kress at 1:30 p.m. and Adam Shoalts at 4:00 p.m.
These sessions offer a rare opportunity to engage with those who have pushed the limits of human endurance and exploration. This is a must-attend event for anyone with a passion for adventure and exploration. Images and biographies of the speakers are on both the EAFF website and EAFF ticketing site (see above).
Spend the weekend in Elora; this cultural gem only 90 minutes from Toronto and attend the 2024 Elora Adventure Film Festival!
About the Adventurer and Man Behind the Elora Adventure Film Festival (EAFF)
00:01 – 02:10 | From Climbing on Roofs to Climbing Mountains and Cycling Across Australia and Iceland
Scott introduces a special Extreme Leadership podcast episode guest Ian Evans, founder of the Elora Adventure Film Festival. The event is geared toward adventure enthusiasts, with notable guest speakers like Ian, Summit’s Scott Kress, and Adam Shoalts. Ian begins by sharing his background, recalling his early adventures starting at the age of four, climbing on roofs, and later joining the Boy Scouts. His passion for adventure truly took off after he traveled through Africa as a chartered accountant, climbing Kilimanjaro, which sparked his realization that he could balance both a professional and adventurous life. Over the years, Ian pursued various expeditions, including the some of the seven summits and cycling across Australia and Iceland.
01:56 – 02:52 | Life Changing and Magical Experience at 58
Scott asks Ian about his South Pole expedition and his time in Antarctica. Ian describes the expedition as fantastic but challenging, especially at the age of 58. He had dreamt of visiting Antarctica for years, inspired by its explorers, but never thought he would have the chance. His previous expeditions equipped him with the necessary skills to make the journey to the South Pole, which he describes as a life-changing and magical experience despite the difficulty. Ian has returned to Antarctica several times to lecture on ships. When asked about the weather, Ian humorously notes it was a bit breezy.
02:53 – 04:41 | The Inspiration That Started the Elora Adventure Film Festival
Scott asks Ian about a short film he made about his South Pole expedition. Ian explains that while he had previously made and produced films on his own, this time he acted as the videographer and photographer during the trip. After returning with a lot of footage, he handed it over to a professional filmmaker who put the film together. The film toured film festivals in North America and Europe, with notable success at the Kendall Mountain Film Festival in England, where it was shown six times. This experience inspired Ian to create a similar festival in Canada. Ian then shares a favorite memory from his South Pole expedition, highlighting the unique team dynamic with members of varying ages (30, 40, 50, and 60). He reflects on how teamwork was essential, especially when he faced challenges like bad feet, and emphasizes that the people in an expedition can make or break the experience.
04:41 – 10:50 | What to Look Forward to at This Year’s Festival
Scott transitions to discussing the Elora Adventure Film Festival, asking Ian about its inception. Ian shares that his love for film festivals, combined with the unique, culturally rich town of Elora, inspired him to launch the festival. The inaugural event, held in November 2023, was a huge success with 20 films and four sold-out screenings. This year, they are expanding the festival to four days, featuring six screenings and a speaker series.
The festival will take place from November 7th to 10th, with screenings at the Gorge Cinema, the oldest repertory theater in Ontario, and events at the Elora Centre for the Arts. Ian highlights the variety of films, covering different genres and showcasing adventures from around the world. He keeps most film details a secret to surprise attendees but ensures that this year’s lineup is even richer than before. Ian also talks about his own presentation, while Scott will discuss his Antarctica experiences, and Adam Shoalts will share his adventure from Lake Erie to the Arctic Ocean.
The event promises a vibrant atmosphere, with opportunities for attendees to not only watch films but also meet the adventurers in person. Ian encourages people to visit Elora for the festival and explore its restaurants, shops, and scenic hiking spots.
Visit the Elora Adventure Film Festival website to buy tickets and learn more.