An inspirational film about a double leg amputee who defies physical barriers to achieve a personal goal has taken top honours at the 2002 Banff Mountain Film Festival. The Second Step, the story of Warren Macdonald’s climb of Federation Peak in Tasmania, is the winner of the Grand Prize at the 27th annual festival. The film follows Macdonald — who lost both his legs in a 1997 climbing accident — on his epic 28-day trek to reach the peak.
"The Second Step is a very stirring and heartwarming film about achieving objectives against incredible odds," says film festival jury member Piers Handling. "This film reveals not only Macdonald’s will to overcome physical barriers, but also his passion and commitment to protect the environment," adds fellow jury member Roger Payne.
The Second Step – Warren Macdonald’s Epic Journey to Federation Peak was directed by Gary Caganoff and produced by Suzanne Davies for Kaganovich Productions/Part Animal Part Machine (Australia). The Grand Prize award of $4,000 is co-sponsored by Leadership Development at The Banff Centre and Eagle Creek Travel Gear.
The 2002 Banff Mountain Film Festival jury included French alpinist and filmmaker Jean Afanassieff; director of the Cervino International Film Festival Valeriana Rosso; Bavarian filmmaker Gerhard Baur; director of the Toronto International Film Festival Piers Handling; and mountaineer Roger Payne, a director of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation.
*Courtesy of The Banff Centre
An inspirational film about a double leg amputee who defies physical barriers to achieve a personal goal has taken top honours at the 2002 Banff Mountain Film Festival. The Second Step, the story of Warren Macdonald’s climb of Federation Peak in Tasmania, is the winner of the Grand Prize at the 27th annual festival. The film follows Macdonald — who lost both his legs in a 1997 climbing accident — on his epic 28-day trek to reach the peak.