Films 2003

1st BASE - Angels of Gravity      Germany 8 mins

Directed by: Georg Dehghan, Terje Halvorsen Producer: Georg Dehghan

Norwegian base jumper André Bach and his friends jump off anything that reaches high enough to jump from. Bach gives some interesting insights about his mind -boggling gravity experiences. The film contains footage filmed by the base jumpers themselves on location in Norway , China ( Shanghai ), France ( Chamonix ) and USA ( Florida ).

A Man Called Nomad     Nepal/China / GB 38 mins

Directed and Produced by Alex Gabbay

The global economy is affecting traditional agriculture and lifestyles everywhere. Tibetan nomads can no longer live just by trading Yaks. This film follows one man as he attempts to mix elements of the modern world with his nomadic life style, selling motor bikes and working in the town to help pay for his sister to go to university, but always yearning for and retuning to his family on the Tibetan Plateau

A Matter of Doubt   French 29 mins

Directed by Shay Katz   Production: Totem Lafaille Communication

After three unsuccessful attempts on Annapurna , Jean-Christophe Lafaille is joined by Basque climber Alberto Iñurrategi on a wildly committing traverse of the East Ridge - ten miles long, mostly above 24,000 ft to the main summit. The story is told from the perspective of both Jean Christophe, and his wife Katia, who waits in Base Camp.

Always in the Sun   GB 17 mins

Directed by Martin Crocker     Produced by Peter Hall and Carl Ryan

Martin Crocker and the route "Always in the Sun" star in this short film. The film captures the essence of Pembroke limestone and reveals the dedication and the determination needed to succeed, or just as importantly, to fail on a route.

Antarctic Odyssey   GB 9 mins

Directed by John Whittle   Produced by Chris Tiso

A video short taster of a journey by seven adventurers who round Cape Horn , visit Shackleton's Camp on Elephant Island and climb on South Georgia . Two months and three thousand miles are condensed into this almost surreally short film.

Between the Rain   GB 61 mins

Directed and Produced by Mark Reeves

Seven independent films from Mark Reeves which, when put together, capture the essence of British climbing - bouldering, deep water soloing, ground up, on sight - starring many of the young advocates: Pete Robins, James McCaffie, Ben Bransby and many more.

Beyond Everest    Australia 55 mins

Directed and Produced: Michael Dillon

In a year when we celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest, this film celebrates the other side of Sir Edmund Hilary - his work as a philanthropist and lobbyist for Nepalese and Sherpa causes. An intriguing and compassionate film which explores what it means to be a true national hero though not necessarily in your own country. What if someone else had been first?

Cinema Vertical   USA 60 mins

Directed and Produced by Dave O'Leske & Stash Wislocki

A history of ski filming in the USA , starting with the Faunk 1920's "Der Weisse Rausche", one of whose stars Hannes Schneider was forced to flee the Nazis and was brought to the USA where he started a film tradition epitomised by Warren Millar. The film includes spectacular and historic footage from around the world.

Climbing in Morocco   GB 25mins

Directed and Produced by Alastair Lee

An artistic and entertaining film tour of the mountains and crags of Morocco with some haunting photography and a sense of fun which one might expect from the GB's leading crag rat entertainer.

Cold Haul   GB 50 mins

Directed and Produced by Karen Barber   

Andy Kirkpatrick and Ian Parnell attempt the Lafaille route on the Dru in winter - the Alps hardest big wall. This is a personal study of two of Britain 's committed alpinists, with memorable climbing footage despite the very poor conditions, and with some subtle and not so subtle boy's own humour - essential for success or failure in extreme conditions.

Dr. Strange Dyno   GB 5 mins

Directed and Produced by Richard Williams

A short glimpse at the 'try and try again' culture that is bouldering - from pain splitting fingers to total elation in a single bound.

Everest Base Camp - One Man's Odyssey GB 30mins

Directed by Martin Tempest Produced by Michael Bromfield

Ray Tempest, ex professional golfer and now a consulting psychiatrist, rarely leaves his native Yorkshire. For him, the journey to Everest Base Camp is an inspiring achievement. Made by Great Walks, this film will be screened in the morning before Jim Duff's Sunday lecture - the film captures the essence of why people travel to the Himalaya, taking what some may feel are risks in the pursuit of enlightenment.

Fluid Dynamics   GB 59 mins

Produced and Directed by Dave Kwant

For the fourth year running, an extreme kayak film from the camera of Dave Kwant. The film follows Team Slug as they tour the world in search of exciting water which at times is more than they bargained for. Thanks also to Dave for the special edit including off cuts for the Weds. evening programme.

Front Range Freaks   USA 90 mins

Directed and Produced by Peter Mortimer

Last year, one segment of this film - Urban Ape, starring Timmy O'Neil - was runner-up in the video short. This full length version includes 9 separate films, some of which will be screened separately as well as in full showings of the entire film. A fabulous boost for traditional rock climbing ethics: watch out for the tribute to the solo guru Derek Hersey, Biscuit the Dog (the Lynn Hill of Jack Russell Terriers and lots of weird fun.

Greenland - 72º North     GB 28 mins

Director David Jinks     Produced by Fridge Productions

In May 2003, a group of 6 ski mountaineers travel to Constable Point in North Eastern Greenland to explore the glaciers of Liverpool Land lying at 72º North. On skis with sledge and ending with a dog sled traverse of Scoresby Sound - the film captures the essence of modern arctic travel using mixed means of transport.

Good Karma - The Ascent of Annapurna     GB 23 mins

Directed and Produced by David Thomasson

Alan Hinkes' engaging reality tv video diary of his quest to be the first Brit to do all 8000m peaks continues with his tale from Annapurna. Although the peak is one of the most dangerous of the 8000ers, Hinkes with Funurbu make short work of it, and the real interest lies in the snippets of Nepalese life and the personalities on the trip.

In the Shadow of the Condor     USA 47 mins

Directed and Produced by Michael Brown

Adventurer, climber and three time Emmy winner Michael Brown explores into the spectacular and pristine Corcovado wilderness in Southern Chile. Travelling into uncharted terrain, the team negotiate a fierce river and vertical jungle to reach a magnificent landscape of glaciated granite walls and lost mountain lakes.

Inside a Ping Pong Ball   Chile/GB 50 mins

Directed and Produced by Mark Dyson

A Chilean team of climbers led by Rodrigo Jordán , attempts to make the first crossing of the Ellsworth mountains in Antarctica. Although teams have been airlifted in to various parts of the mountains, nobody has ever tackled the entire range. As for the title, that's how Rodrigo describes the feeling of fumbling your way through these Antarctic mountains in a white-out.

Into the Thunder Dragon   Canada 47 mins

Directed and Produced by Sean White

Canada 47 minutes

Into the Thunder Dragon is the story of extreme mountain unicyclists Kris Holm and Nathan Hoover's wild journey across the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. They travel where few foreigners have ever set foot, searching for new riding terrain and finding surprises around every corner - spectacular imagery and a colourful original soundtrack.

Jehovah's Wetness   GB 30 mins

Directed by Alex Nicks   Produced by Alex Nicks & Frank Pickell

A second white water world tour - or playboating - from the first descent of the upper Mekong through Zambia's Luapula and finally down the Orinoco, the film explores some of the world's remotest stretches of water with more than a smattering of thrills and humour.

Kingsize   GB 40 mins

Directed and Produced by Marco Lutz

Snowboard film featuring Europe's top snowboard pros and rookies shot in many locations, with an exciting mix of thrills and spills, and a remarkable and unforgettable closing sequence.

Leo Houlding - My Right Foot   GB 52 mins

This film follows Leo Houlding's year long struggle to recover from the serious accident which fractured his right foot. Leo embarks on a world tour, climbing in America and Mexico, learning to live with pain and the reality that the task will not be easy, and the aim will be in doubt - to reach the top level of his sport again.

Lost Treasures of Tibet   USA 56 mins

Directed by Liesl Clark

The isolated and tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Mustang is almost untouched by time and western influence. At the monastery of Thubchen, a spectacular treasure of intricate medieval wall paintings is crumbing into dust. Amidst local controversy, a team of crack western architects and art conservators are called to try to save these Buddhist treasures, but different values and beliefs of what is to be saved add to the drama.

Mountain of Ice   USA 56 mins

Directed by Liesl Clark

A crack team of mountaineers and scientists climb a massive new route on Mt. Vinson. As the expedition progresses, expedition member Jon Krakauer reflects on the greatest Antarctic adventure of them all - the race for the South Pole in 1912 - and reflects on how the experienced Norwegians managed so well, compared to the incredibly tough but ill prepared English team.

Mr. Everest   GB 23 mins

Directed by Eric Robson   Produced by Border TV

An intriguing profile of Eric Shipton - Britain's most famous mountaineer prior to the first ascent of Everest. As the news comes through, Eric is the newly appointed Warden of the Eskdale Outward Bound, where his skills and knowledge of personal responsibility through adventure reshaped the OBMS policy. But all is not well on the domestic front, and the distant hills again draw Shipton away.

Musashi   Canada 13 mins

Produced and Directed by Glen Crawford and Pat Morrow

This short captures the athleticism and humour of Will Gadd and Ben Firth as they complete the first ascent of the world's most difficult mixed climb - Musashi - a huge cave roof in the Canadian Rockies. Gadd describes it as "complicated and incredibly entertaining free aid climbing" - what's he been drinking?

Namaste   Swiss 15 mins

Director Dominique Perret   Production Vertical Zoo

Dominique Perret travels to the Manali in North India to ski at altitude, with attitude and reverence for the 360 deities that protect the Valley of the Gods. Another sumptuous and jaw opening visual feast from the award winning ski film maker - the best yet?

Omo - A Journey to the Primeval Age   Slovkia 68 mins

Directed and Produced by Pavol Barabás

The River Omo is the most remote in Africa, and along its banks live many tribes with almost no contact with the modern world. Primeval traditions survive. Six explorers descend this dangerous and wild river, uncovering the past and discovering things about themselves - the latest from the award winning and creative camera of Pavol Barabás.

Origin     Swiss 15 mins

Directed by Dominique Perret     Production Vertical Zoo

A second ski film from the creative camera of Dominique Perret, this time taking on the coast range of British Columbia with the usual and unusual thrills

Pensieri nel Vento (Thoughts in the Wind)   Italy   19 mins

Directed and Produced by Ermanno Salvaterra

Ermanno Salvaterra reflects through film and recorded diaries what it means to battle storms and winds on the East Face of Cerro Torre. The film captures the essence of climbing in bad weather - the possibility of becoming at home through connections with the immediate world of the big wall, in whatever the conditions.

Rubicon or People From the Other Side of the Earth     Russia 29 mins

Directed by Andrew Kim     Produced by Alexander Leker

In May 2002 a team of Russian rock climbers has established a new unique route on the vertical wall of the Great Sail peak in Baffin Island, Canada, but do they feel at home among the spirits of this far off land? The answer is in the music - this film is a departure from the norm at the very least!

SAT Republic     Spain 5mins

Directed by Daniel Crespo Valdez & Raul Rodriguez Produced by: Acro Team SL

A short but daring composition bringing together paragliding 'acro' tricks and images best described as sky ballet. The flying sequences shot at Organa are mixed with funny and simple studio images. The word 'acro' belongs to the paragliders' movements both in the sky and with both feet on the ground - artistic and fun.

Set in Stone   GB 5 mins

Directed and Produced by Caedmon Mullin

This short film captures Ken Palmer in action on a deep water solo of Christine - an 8a route in South Devon -a very personal and quiet perspective in extreme surroundings.

Shepherd Women of Shambala   USA 9 mins.

Directed and Produced by Joy Tessman

In the Pakistan Karakoram, a small group of Ismali Muslim women shepherds maintain centuries old traditions while tending their flocks. When a western women travels to their high summer camp, she is adopted into their midst despite the boundaries of language and culture - a story of the extraordinary spirit of women and the power of kindness.

Sinecure     GB 14 mins

Directed by Martin Crocker     Produced by Peter Hall and Carl Ryan

A second film short taken from work in progress on a major film history of Pembroke by Martin Crocker and friends. This film looks at the fabulous range of routes and grades to be found around the coast, and profiles some of the pioneers and the controversy of bolt placements.

Steel Women   GB 56 mins

Directed and Produced by Geoffrey Odds

A film exploring the lives and motivations of the many women rock climbers who have made Sheffield their home. Covering 3 generations from Geraldine Taylor (50) to Katie Whitaker (13), they share a common passion for the peak District and the Sheffield community.

Three Peaks Cyclo Cross Race 2002     GB   60 mins

Directed and Produced by David Jinks

A cyclo cross connoisseur's in-depth report on the race last year across the three highest peaks in the Yorkshire dales. After the Foot and Mouth epidemic, the race returned in 2002, with 250 cyclists competing in this most arduous of events in the UK - over 80 miles of cycling and 5000 ft. of climbing.

The Essence of Adolescence     Canada 7 mins

Directed and Produced by Daniel Kingsbury

This short film features the local boys of the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. From the extreme performance, to the directing and editing, this film is made by teens who have not yet learned to feel pain or say "ouch".

The Final Solution   GB 10 mins

Directed and Produced by David Halstead

A hilarious and touching tour of climbing around the country with the redoubtable Stuart Attwood, a spastic climber whose keenness and humour puts most of us to shame.

The King's Footprint - Dacriada On-sight   Scotland 6 mins

Directed by Peter Murray   Produced by Peter Murray / Extra Large Recordings

Niall McNair dreamt of climbing 'Dacriada' E8 6c from his first days as a rock climber. This film catalogues his ascent, and determination to keep the style pure and clean.

The Haute Route Handbook   GB 35mins

Directed and Produced by Toby Molins

Two mountaineers cross the Alps from Zermatt to Chamonix - nothing out of the ordinary in that, but this entertaining film follows two friends intent on having a good time, logging both the visual feast of the high alps and the way they respond to mountain landscapes

The Old Rock     Scotland 10 mins

Directed and Produced by Paul Raistrick

A snowboarding journey through Scotland's different geological mountain areas during the winter of 2003. Filmed with unmanned camera, another home adventure that takes in the out of the way corries of Scotland

The Other Final   Holland 53 mins

Directed by Johan Kramer   Produced by Jacqueline Kouwenberg

A journey of discovery for two small nations who boast the two lowest ranked football teams in the FIFA rankings - Montserrat (#203) and Bhutan (#202). They meet in Bhutan on the same day as the Worldcup final in 2002. Using football as a device, what starts as a bizarre idea from a couple of dejected Dutch fans becomes a remarkable cultural meeting - both very funny and issue provoking.

The Race for Everest     GB 58 mins

Directed and Produced by Mick Conefrey

A well researched and thoroughly entertaining retelling of the dramatic story of the 1953 Ascent of Everest and the international race which proceeded it, told through interviews with the men and women involved and previously unseen archive materials by award winning director Mick Conefrey.

The Yensey River Expedition     Canada 56 mins

Directed and Produced by Remy Quinter

Four young explorers document their five month journey along the complete 4000 mile length of the Yensey River from the highest peak in Mongolia to the Arctic Ocean. Along the way they capsize, are split up, are re-united by the Mongolian army, spend time with the Russian Mafia and visit many places never before filmed for western eyes.

Touching the Void   GB 106 mins

Directed by Kevin MacDonald   Produced by John Smithson

The new feature-length film based on the best selling book by Joe Simpson.

The film describes one of the most extraordinary true stories of survival and adventure of our time. In June 1985 Joe Simpson and his partner Simon Yates reached the summit of Siula Grande (6344m) in the Peruvian Andes by the unclimbed west face. Whilst descending, disaster struck. An heroic battle for survival unfolded in which both men were faced with life or death decisions which tested the human spirit to the limit. The Gala performances on Saturday will be introduced or concluded by Joe Simpson, members of the cast and production team.

Twitch IV     36 mins

Directed and Produced by: Eric Link

A pacey kayaking video combining intense action and music into a gripping visual experience, with a "behind the scenes" story for the viewer as Tao Berman, Josh Bechtel, Brandon Knapp and Stuart Smith run some of the best whitewater in the US, Canada, Norway and Spain .

Vertical Frontier USA 91 mins

Directed and produced by Kristi Denton Cohen

From John Muir in the 1860's to the super athletes of today, Vertical Frontier is a character driven story of the climbers who have found their inspiration in Yosemite Valley. Historical climbing footage and interviews from the legendary past are combined with commentary from many of the more recent generations - one of the most comprehensive and beautiful rock climbing films ever made.

Vertical Vibes     Germany 22 mins

Directed by Georg Dehghan     Produced by Joachim Hellinger

Portraits of outdoor photographer and climber Thomas Ulrich and alpinist Stephan Siegrist. Follow the two mountain guides to various mountain destinations around the globe, featuring El Capitan/Yosemite National Park and Cerro Torre/Patagonia, including footage of a huge ice avalanche on Cerro Torre and mind boggling footage of base jumps off the Eiger North Face.

Wild Africa Mountains   GB 49 mins

Directed by Martyn Coldbeck     Produced by Patrick Morris

From the BBC, a dramatic new wildlife series spanning the continent in search of extreme mountain habitats. Spectacular and extremely well put together, this is a travel guide to the African mountains and its remarkably beautiful and wild places that harbour some of the world's most remarkable animals.

Wookey Exposed   GB   48 mins

Produced and Directed by Gavin Newman

A first film by cave expert Gavin Newman tracks the development of one of Britain's best known and most spectacular cave systems. It follows the footsteps of cave explorers from the earliest cavemen to modern day cave divers. Spectacular footage and excellent commentary from the remotest areas of the cave above and below water.