About the AFA

• Learn skills from the leading filmmakers – 3 day-long workshops will teach the skills to document your exploits.
• Make films about your adventures, extreme sports and expeditions – enter the 48 hour film marathon.
• Share an audience with the best films from around the world.- films shown, judged and prestigious prizes awarded at the Festival.
• The only school of its kind in the UK – this is the 5th year of the AFA at Kendal.
• A stepping-stone to a career in film – a significant number of past attendees have progressed into this industry.
• Professionals learn filming techniques in harsh mountain environments and extreme sports.
• Student/ entry level through to advanced – age no barrier 16 to 70 year old!
• Equipment and mentoring provided.

What are the key ingredients of AFA

1. The AFA supplies film making training to 2 broad groups of people.

• Adventurers, climbers, mountaineers, travellers, researchers, participants in extreme sports and expeditions wanting to learn how to document their exploits with a broadcast quality film.
• All those interested in making a career in the film industry from students trough to experienced professionals who want to learn more about this genre of film making.

2. It’s the only film school of its kind in the UK focussing on extreme sport and adventure in all its forms. The model has been adopted and adapted by two Mountain Film Festivals in Canada and the International Mountain Film Alliance view it as an exciting and dynamic model which could be replicated further.

3. It is inextricably linked with the leading Mountain Film Festival in the UK which is also the largest in Europe. This provides unrivalled opportunities for participants to learn and receive feedback from the best adventure film-making practice in the world. The environment of the Film Festival, fast-moving, adrenaline-charged etc motivates and excites participants in way that, arguably, more formal skills-training cannot. The shorts created during the marathon are screened during the main Film Festival weekend (which attracts more than 7,000 visitors from across the UK and further a field) and the winner is showcased at the Film Festival Awards Ceremony at the close of the weekend. The best short may also be included in the Best of Kendal Tour which travels to more than 30 UK locations and 15 international locations each year.

4. The Film School team consists of the leading practitioners in the genre – award-winning, out there making films across the world, inspired and inspiring. They will explain the basics through to the cutting edge film making, working at the limits of technology both in camera and editing. Stretching the applicants and showing the creative opportunities that are available with affordable equipment.

5. It has the ability to attract the broadest range of people and has an edgy image and identity which appeals to young people in particular (16-25 year olds).

6. The way we show and watch films is changing and technology has unleashed a host of opportunities for film makers. New media outlets can be used to show these films to the world particularly with the streaming of films on the web or producing short runs on DVD for distribution.

7. The AFA is marketed through the main Film festival network and through its key partners including North West Vision. It therefore reaches a wide audience, both outdoor enthusiasts (estimated UK market 22 million at present!) and those interested in developing their skills in film and media. The publicity is high quality in terms of design and print (fliers and posters). It is also profiled in the main Film festival programme.