How to Become a National Geographic Explorer

If you’ve ever wondered how you might become an explorer for National Geographic, believe it or not, it can start with attending a seminar.

During the Banff Mountain Film Festival in a conference room at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada, aspiring young explorers learned the ropes of turning their dreams of adventure into an assignment for National Geographic. Their works may land on television, on the web, or in the famous magazine with the bright yellow border.

Text and photo by James Edward Mills,
The Joy Trip Project

Banff Radical Reels: Feel the Hill Filmmakers Discuss Longboarding

By National Geographic Digital Media's Amy Bucci

As the opening credits roll for Feel the Hill, the audience is shown someone sawing a kitchen cutting board apart and gluing the pieces onto everyday gardening gloves. We later learn these special gloves are essential gear for a unique extreme sport called longboarding.

This film, a People's Choice finalist in the Banff Mountain Film Festival's Radical Reels category, was made by 19-year-olds Jeremy Comte and Alexandre Auray. What's amazing is that Jeremy and Alex began this project when they were just 17 years old.

The film introduces us to several expert longboarders in each discipline of longboarding: slalom, downhill, footwork, and sliding. Most scenes are filmed in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Q: Why did you decide to make this movie?

Jeremy: We started making short films with skateboarding, but then Jeremy started longboarding in elementary school. There weren't that many movies about it, so we decided to do it. Most people associate longboarding with just the downhill style. I wanted to show all the other styles like sliding and dancing as well. Everyone can enjoy longboarding because you can find your own style.

Update From the Banff Mountain Festival -- With Amazing Video

By National Geographic Digital Media's Amy Bucci

The trek to Banff, Canada from National Geographic headquarters in D.C. took about 13 hours, but is a small price to pay to be there for the thrills and excitement of the Banff Mountain Book and Film Festival. The festival brings together mountain films and speakers with tales of mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the last great wild places—all brought to life on the big screen and in special events.

Three National Geographic books are finalists in the Banff Mountain Book Festival, including Paul Nicklin's Polar Obsession, Gretel Ehrlich's In the Empire of Ice, and Jon Waterman's Running Dry.