Need an escape from the work-filled world of the last month of classes?

The Sierra Club Moshannon Group and Penn State's Eco-Action are co-sponsoring The Banff Mountain Film Festival that highlights exotic places and extreme sports. The festival will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday in Eisenhower Auditorium.

"Extreme sports are dazzling and inspiring. It's as much about the human spirit as it is about the sports," said Ronn Brourman, Sierra Club Moshannon Group program director.

Some of this year's films will highlight kayaking, snowboarding, dog sledding and skiing, as well as humorous movies like Weekend Warrior that depict a snowboarder trying to attract the attention of a female snowboarder.

"It's a real mix. You get the sense that you're the rider, which is pretty exhilarating. You get to try on somebody else's life and see new settings in different locations. It's great for people who are interested in travel," said Banff World Tour Coordinator Seana Strain.

The film festival, started in 1976 by three Canadian natives, John Amatt, Chic Scott and Evelyn Moorehouse, has been growing since its humble beginning.

"It began in November because there wasn't enough snow to ski and it was too cold for biking," Strain said.

From a small, local festival, Banff has taken on international stature.

"The tour reaches six different continents and 185 cities in North America alone," Brourman said.

This is Penn State's second year hosting the festival.

Last year it was held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel and attracted about 900 people.

"This year we are expecting an even larger turnout because of the bigger venue," Brourman said.

Eco-Action President Maura Cowley said the showing of extreme sports films has the potential to raise awareness about certain issues on campus.

"One of the big themes in this year's festival is conservation. If people see the environment it makes them want to help it
stay natural and wild," Cowley (senior-political science) said.

The festival is also part of Eco-Action's Earth Week kick-off and will run for about two-and-a-half hours and show 10 films, including one feature length.