Film Details for the Film Competition

Screening times are available in the downloadable programme

A Snowy Day
Iraq/Australia 10’
Directed by Hossein Jehani Produced by Tania Raouf
As dawn comes, it is snowing in a small village in Northern Iraq. Life unfolds as normal for the villagers going about their chores. Or so it seems, until impact of the Iran-Iraq war brings a different reality, forcing its way into their lives.

Aerialist
USA 26’
Directed and Produced by Brad Lynch
Aerialist is about Dean Potter’s transformation as an aerialist - defined as “an acrobat who performs at height”. Dean practices what he calls the “Three Disciplines”- Free Soloing, High-lining and BASE jumping. The film is also a tribute to Jose Pereyra, Dean’s friend and mentor, who died while climbing in Mexico in 2002. The loss hit Dean when he was at the peak of his speed climbing and alpinism career.

Ama Dablam - 4 Go High in the Himalaya
UK 30’
Directed and Produced by Paul Crosby
A tale of two lads from Kendal who join forces with two friends from America and Australia to attempt Ama Dablam Alpine style on a shoe string. The film follows the team’s trials and tribulations trying to get around guided parties and endless miles of fixed ropes - an everyday story of old fashion adventure.

Am Limit
Germany 97’
Directed by Pepe Danquart Produced by Kirsten Hager, Erich Lackner & Miriam Quinte
This remarkable film follows the Huber brothers - Alex and Thomas - through their lives and a series of amazing climbs to one of their greatest challenges - a speed ascent of the Nose on El Capitan.

Beyond the Call
USA 82’
Directed and Produced by Adrian Belic
Mother Teresa meets Indiana Jones in a tale of three former solders turned modern knights delivering humanitarian aid and medicine to war zones in some of the most beautiful and dangerous places on earth. “Hilarious, exciting and heart wrenching” Cinematical

Call it Karma
Canada 48’
Directed by Geoff Browne Produced by Geoff Browne, Shan Tam and Michael Parker
Beautiful and cinematic documentary which tells the story of Gyalten Rimpoche’s spiritual pilgrimage from Tibet to India to Canada and eventually full circle, back home again. A true history of a spiritual and physical discovery, and rediscovery.

Committed
UK 60’
Directed by Dave Brown and Paul Diffley Produced by Hot Aches Productions
A film dedicated to extreme rock climbing in the UK, featuring many of the hardest and most dangerous climbs over the past year. From the mountains of Ireland and Wales, to Scottish sea cliffs and English grit, the film meets the personalities and looks at the diversity of climbing style which makes the British scene respected around the world. Includes two short film submissions – Committed to Grit and Committed Keen Youth.

Dying for Everest
New Zealand 52’
Directed by Richard Dennison Produced by James Heyward/Gus Roxburgh/ Andy Salek
Double amputee, Mark Inglis reached the summit of Mount Everest on 15 May 2006, but his achievement was overridden when it was learnt that he had bypassed an incapacitated climber, David Sharp, enroute. Sharp subsequently died a lonely death.

Franklin’s Lost Expedition
Ireland 47’
Directed by Peter Bate Produced by John Murray
In May 1845, the invincible British navy sent explorer John Franklin with two ships and 134 crew to find a route to Asia through the arctic. The ships and crew vanished without a trace, provoking one of the greatest manhunts in history. The film brilliantly recounts a fascinating mystery that forever changed the course of British Imperial history.

Eiger Speed Riding
France 4’
Directed by Damien Dufresne Produced by ARCO-BASE
A ski-para descent of the Eiger’s North Face that makes the head spin and stomach churn.

Everest Beyond the Limit - Episode 4
UK 48’
Directed and Produced by Martin Pailthorpe, Barny Revill and Edmund Wardle
This episode from the 6 part formulae TV series for the Discovery Channel takes a look at the controversial and deadly 2006 season on Everest. Using specially designed video technology and an 18 man crew, we get a multi-scene view of the backups that occur at the top of Everest, rows of people queued on fixed ropes, and a sense of ominous frustration and potentially fatal risks.

Gasherbrum II – The Fastest Summit
Germany 30’
Directed by Niko Jäger Produced by Michael Halberstadt
Two young German climbers attempt what they describe as a “sky run” of Gasherbrum II - up and down from Base Camp to the summit in one day. The film provides a unique insight into the motives of a new Himalayan generation.

Great British Journeys: Thomas Pennant - A Tour of Scotland & Voyage to the Hebrides (1772)
UK 52’
Directed and Produced by Michael Waterhouse
This is a fascinating tale of the discovery of the coasts and mountains of our own Isles. As James Cook was mapping the unknown Islands of New Zealand, Thomas Pennant was exploring the unknown Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Traveller Nick Crane goes on a quest to retrace the steps.

Great Day for Climbing
USA 7’
Directed and Produced by Stephan Burgess
A sleepy climber has trouble distinguishing dream from reality – where did those dancing dudescome from and how did is dog get above him on the route. You’ll either laugh or cry, probably both!

I Can Do That
UK 11’
Directed by Suzy Madge Produced by Carole Madge
The dream of the “Lipstick Blonds” expedition to ski 7500m Muztag Ata was to combine their passion for adventure with their love of laughter. The heart of Asia is the goal of four friends. The quest is fuelled equally by hardship, tragedy, commitment and fun. Suzy attended the Kendal Film Academy last year.

Jack Osbourne Adrenaline Junkie 3 - Episode 1
UK 44’
Directed by Ed Pickles Produced by Ed Sobart, Amber Ronowicz and Craig Pickles
In this new series, there is a change of roles for Jack Osbourne - he is now the motivator and leader of a group of young people seeking to change their life style. With support from Leo Houlding, Jack takes them to terrifying extremes.

King Lines
USA 50’
Directed and Produced by Pewter Mortimer
The film follows rock climbing super star Chris Sharma in search of the planet’s greatest climbs, from boulders in South America to European limestone. The film is also an intimate study of Chris, from his earliest climbing as a tiny child to the discovery in Mallorca of his most outrageous project yet.

Leaving the Village
Nepal 5’
Directed by Sanyuka and Niyukta Shrestha Produced by yantra-kala Pvt Ltd.
A short animated film about a mother and child forced to leave their idyllic life in a small village as domestic violence disrupts this once harmonious kingdom.

Light at the Edge of the World: Sacred Geography
Canada 45’
Directed by Andrew Gregg Produced by Gordon Henderson, Andrew Gregg & Wade Davis
In Peru, the descendants of the Incas believe that the land is alive. As long as you live in the shadow of the mountain, it will direct your destiny. Wade Davis takes us on a sacred pilgrimage into the past and present in the heart of the Andes.

Lost Mountain
France 52’
Directed by Christian Deleau Produced by Hervé Borde
Jean-Christophe LaFaille, one of the finest mountaineers of his generation, plans the first solo, oxygen free ascent of Makalu in winter. We know in the end the attempt will end in tragedy, but the film searches for explanations. Is this the pursuit to become a legend or a form of asceticism, an attempt to know oneself and nature, or just a drug that needs a stronger dose each time?

Mémoire de Glace
France 90’
Directed by Pierre Antoine Hiroz Produced by Monique Bernard Beaumet
In the shadow of Mont Blanc, a family secret in the form of the body of a man is released by a glacier where it has lain for 15 years. Everyone had believed that Bertrand Santini had been living happily abroad all that time. A young policeman is given the task of solving the mystery behind a painful secret hidden by two families and uncovers the real victims.

Oil and Water Project
USA 35’
Directed by Seth Warren
An engaging tale of two kayakers who travel from Alaska to Argentina promoting the use of alternative energy. As the story progresses they suddenly become international celebrities.

Owning the Polar Crisis
USA 8’
Directed by Ryan Vachon Produced by Ryan Vachon and Jessica McRea
The impact of climate change on the polar regions is well documented, but what, if anything can be done to educate the public and change behaviour? A short film with compelling images and insightful interviews.

Pure – The Spirit of Flying
Slovenia 11’
Directed by Gregor Subic Produced by Kawaka Productions
The joy and freedom of the air captured in crisp and magical images.

Psyche
UK 75’
Directed and Produced by Alastair Lee of Posing Productions
PSYCHE is a collection of the 3 films by Alastair Lee featuring some of Britain’s top climbers. In Skye Wall, Dave Birkett goes in search of his dream line on the Isle of Skye. Magic Numbers is a profile of Steve McClure, Britain’s most accomplished sport climber. Patagonian Winter follows Andy Kirkpatrick and Ian Parnell’s attempt to make the first winter ascent of Torre Egger. Spectacular action, innovation and humour aside PSYCHE is astudy of the extraordinary motivation amongst these world class climbers.

Respect
USA 56’
Directed and Produced by Jason Winkler
Follows some of the best skiers in the world to many locations, seeking the perfect mountain and run but always with 'respect' and the avalanche sequences show why..

Rock Wings
France 3’
Directed and Produced by Claude Adam
Spectacular jumps down the Jungfrau and Eiger.

Shisha in Winter
Poland 28’
Directed and Produced by Dariusz Zaluski
Only half the 8000m peaks of the Himalaya have been climbed in winter and until this ascent in 2005, there had been a 15 year break. The film depicts the hostile conditions and the risks taken by the joint Polish/Italian team on their harrowing ascent.

Special Delivery
India/UK 15’
Directed and Produced by Boardman, Deegan Minkilow
Sonam loads a large box for his wife and begins the journey home to Zanskar, On the way, he passes some of the worlds highest mountains on a journey that seems to cross many centuries in just three days.

The Beckoning Silence
UK 90’
Directed by Louise Osmond Produced by Darlow Smithson
Joe Simpson’s tale of his obsession with the Eiger North Face, and with Toni Kurtz’who died within feet of being rescued in 1936. Even before Touching the Void, the story of Kurtz haunted Joe. The film recounts the tale of the four young climbers - Kurtz, Hinterstoisser, Rainer and Angerer - whose ambition led to tragedy. Brilliant reconstructions and Joe’s sensitive affinity with the vanquished climbers make this film every bit as powerful as Touching the Void.

The Big Grey Man of Ben MacDhui
Scotland 10’
Directed by Jez Curnow & Richard Cross Produced by Diane Smith & Peter George
A short documentary exploring the legend of the supernatural presence said to stalk the slopes of Britain’s second highest mountain.

The Edge of Eden - Living with Grizzlies
USA 90’
Directed and Produced by Jeff and Sue Turner
A Canadian bear expert - Charlie Russell - rescues two orphaned grizzly bear cubs from a Russian zoo where they were about to be killed. He takes them to Southern Kamchatka to teach them the skills they need to survive. All is going well, until two strange bears turn up. A film about the relationship between bears and man, and by extension, between nature and mankind.

The Great White Fright
UK 15’
Directed and produced by Sandy Ogilvie
An ascent of this classic and terrifying chalk route by Ian Parnell and Chris Cubitt.

The Land of Spirits
Slovakia 54’
Directed by Ladislav Gulik & Michal Ruttkay Produced by Drap Studio
A documentary film that travels through the world’s largest jungle in West Papua New Guinea to engage with tribal people locked in a different time and reality. The film questions its own existence, as the impact of the world outside continues its relentless invasion.

The Longest Climb
UK 52’
Directed and Produced by Dominic Faulkner
In 2006, the EVERESTMAX expedition completed a journey from the shores of the Dead Sea to the summit of Everest, a journey from the lowest point on Earth to the highest, in aid of children’s charities the team of five cycled through eight countries to reach Everest Base Camp in April 2006. There they were joined by other climbers and eventually 3 of the 5 cyclists reached the summit.

To Hell... and Back
UK 58’
Directed by Richard Else Produced by Triple Echo Productions
An intriguing study of Dave MacLeod, centred on his ascent of a new E10 on Hell’s Lum. With his wife Claire holding the rope, Dave eventually completes the route, but the outcome is never certain, and death the result should his concentration waiver high on the route. Searching interviews with friends and colleagues simply ask more questions than they explain the psychology of such high risk.

Tower of Paine
UK 25’
Directed and Produced by Leo Dickinson
Last year, Leo Dickinson discovered a lost gem in Vic Bray’s attic - a film shot by Vic of the 1963 first ascent of the Central Tower of Paine. Leo offered to remake the film in memory of this remarkable ascent: “It was like finding a dinosaur egg and then hatching it!” The film features an all star cast and use of the first “Whillans Box,” crucial to survival high up. Success came after weeks of bad weather in mid January when Don and Chris Bonington summited.

Tribe: Darhad
UK 60’
Directed and Produced by Graham Johnston
Bruce Parry joins the nomadic Darhad herders of Outer Mongolia on their winter migration across the high mountains to reach safer pastures. These are tough and isolated people, yet Bruce becomes one of the family and forms close bonds by sharing the hardships and the culture.

Underdeveloped
N. Ireland 50’
Directed by Jamie Egner Produced by Rickie Bell
The film follows an energetic group of young climbers from Belfast on their journey around Ireland seeking out the hardest routes. A humble and highly entertaining film.

Weather We Change
USA 48’
Directed and Produced by Duane Kubischta
Part educational, part adventure, this documentary follows a group of skiers who have taken a pledge to adopt a greener ski bum lifestyle. A bleak early season seems to prove their worst fears, but these snow soldiers eventually find the deep powder in the Swiss Alps and the best of the West Coast, yet all accept that global warming is an issue that skiers cannot afford to ignore.

Wings on Your Feet
Switzerland 60’
Directed and Produced by Fulvio Mariani
There are still great adventures to be found in remote mountain areas, particularly when you travel there with a group of friends. John Falkiner explores the world of what is possible for backcountry skiing, from Pakistan to Iran, a sort of a rough guide for those who have the measure of time and sense of exploration.

Zoltan
USA 5’
Directed by Brendan Kiernan and Frank Pickell Produced by Brendan Kiernan
In the unforgiving and harsh world of high-stakes competitive extreme sports, there’s always someone with a sense of humour.

Screening times are available in the downloadable programme