FILM COLLECTIONS 2023

At the heart of our Festival is an incredible film programme, which we curate from entries to our year long international film competition. We're delighted to share with you the films that have been selected for the 2023 Festival - the quality and creativity has once again blown us away!

Our International Film Programme is proudly presented by Danner Footwear.

We can't wait to welcome you to Kendal this year to watch our film curations from the comfort of our Rab Cinemas.

Scroll down or click on these links to see the films in each of our film collections:

Climb - Blue ** Climb - Red ** Mountain - Blue ** Mountain - Red ** Explore - Blue ** Explore - Red ** Snow - Blue ** Snow - Red ** Run & Hike - Blue ** Run & Hike - Red ** Bike - Blue ** Bike - Red ** Water ** Air ** Ride & Flow ** Bike - Blue ** Bike - Red ** Paddle ** Human Spirit ** Nature & Environment ** Rise - Up ** Outside Thinkers ** Age is no Barrier ** Outside Artists ** Brit Rock at Kendal ** Parent & Baby ** The North Face & Ellis Brigham Film Trilogy ** Films In Sessions And Events ** Family Adventure Films ** Access the Best of Kendal Films ** Pride

Climb - Blue

Presented by The North Face

Climbing is an expanding culture. Joining a variety of climbing characters, we offer you a pick-and-mix of rock types – desert sandstone, hard-as-nails granite, limestone, gritstone and - yes - resin. Just grab your popcorn and get stuck in.

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BOTH & NEITHER | AMBOS Y NINGUNO

Dir. Julie EllisonUS / 9'

GRAND CAPUCIN: A LITTLE BIG WALL

Dir. Marc DavietFrance / 25'

HOPE

Dir. Anna HazlettUS / 18'

POWERSTAR

Dir. Pratik SinglaIndia / 29'

SOUNDSCAPE

Dir. Timmy O'NeillUS / 15'

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Climb - Red

Presented by The North Face

Climbing is an expanding culture. Joining a variety of climbing characters, we offer you a pick-and-mix of rock types – desert sandstone, hard-as-nails granite, limestone, gritstone and - yes - resin. Just grab your popcorn and get stuck in.

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ASCEND

Dir. ​​Kathryn Francis, Campbell BrewerUS / 19’

EL GAVILÁN

Dir. Bronwyn Hodgins, Savannah CumminsUS / 20’

LET IT BEARN

Dir. Hannes Tell, Alice Martin, Lando PföstGermany / 11'

MOYO

Dir. Henry J KamaraTanzania / 14’

STILL ALIVE

Dir. Santino MartiranoItaly / 27’

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Mountain - Blue

Presented by Deuter

Come with us to the highest peaks across the world. Watch contemporary alpinists, athletes and historic heroes in a series of films that ask the age-old questions - not in an attempt to answer them but to reframe them, and explore their breadth and depth. What draws us to the mountains? Who do we follow to these summits? And what do we really find there?

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CHANGABANG: RETURN TO THE SHINING MOUNTAIN

Dir. Nick KowalskiNew Zealand / 20’

CLEAN MOUNTAINS

Dir. Geertjan LasscheNepal / 18’

DIDI

Dir. David Arnaud, Alicia CenciSwitzerland / 31’

ENTANGLED

Dir. Rachel SarahUK / 5’

UNE BELLE TRACE / A BEAUTIFUL LINE

Dir. Charley RadcliffeFrance / 20’

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Mountain - Red

Presented by Deuter

Come with us to the highest peaks across the world. Watch contemporary alpinists, athletes and historic heroes in a series of films that ask the age-old questions - not in an attempt to answer them but to reframe them, and explore their breadth and depth. What draws us to the mountains? Who do we follow to these summits? And what do we really find there?

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DEEPFREEZE: DIRECTISSIME WALKER

Dir. Yannick BoissenotFrance / 26’

I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE

Dir. Levi AllenCanada / 17’

THE ASCENSION SERIES - HAMISH FROST

Dir. Emma Crome, Matt PycroftUK / 8’

TO THE HILLS AND BACK

Dir. Mike QuigleyCanada / 46’

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Explore - Blue

Presented by Pertex

True exploration requires curiosity, courage and an eye for detail. We've got plenty in this collection of short films.

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GOING GREENLAND

Dir. Erich Roepke, Jessica Baker, Rachael BurksUS / 23’

SEASONS LOST

Dir. Paul IngramUK / 25’

THE WORLD IS OURS

Dir. Nadia Louis-DesmarchaisCanada / 21’

WATERFALL HUNTERS

Dir. Lindsey HagenUS / 23’

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Explore - Red

Presented by Pertex

True exploration requires curiosity, courage and an eye for detail. We've got plenty in this collection of short films.

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DON’T IMPRISON THE WIND

Dir. Chris McClean, James BowdenUK / 10’

Forward Motion

Dir: Leslie SharpeIreland / 15’

EVERYDAY CLIMBERS - PABLO

Dir. Florent QuintFrance / 12’

LOST CONNECTIONS

Dir. Ellie Green, Matt GreenUK / 21’

OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD

Dir. Luke Grenfell-ShawUK / 12’

THE OLD SCHOOL COAST TO COAST

Dir. Deane Parker, Dylan GerschwitzNew Zealand / 29’

WE ARE ANTARCTICA

Dir. Jack HarriesUK / 8’

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Snow - Blue

Presented by Ortovox

Travel across the globe to stunningly cold locations. In this collection we take you on a whirlwind, worldwide tour of cinematically beautiful ski and snow stories.

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LES ÉTOILES DE LA TERRE / STARS OF THE EARTH

Dir. Victor GaluchotFrance / 25’

ONE FOR ALL

Dir. Michael Stevens, Spencer MillerUS / 19’

The Draconians

Dir: Maxime MoulinFrance / 30'

VERSO

Dir. Alicia CenciSwitzerland / 18’

WHAT IF…?

Dir. Marco TribelhornAustria / 8’

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Snow - Red

Presented by Ortovox

In this compilation, we invite you on an exhilarating global journey through cinematically stunning ski and snow narratives. This year's Snow Red collection includes:

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DIAMOND BRUISES

Dir. Hannah SkolnickUK / 4’

HARDANGERFOLK

Dir. Gregor Douglas SinclairUK / 29’

MOUNTAIN TURKS

Dir. Mark JohanssonNew Zealand / 42’

SLIDES ON THE MOUNTAIN

Dir. Seth GillisCanada / 30’

SPEED OF SOUND

Dir. Jade Ang JackmanUK / 5’

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Run & Hike - Blue

Presented by Ledlenser

This selection of short films will reignite your longing to embrace the great outdoors. Whether your heart belongs to the fells, roads, or tracks, we delve into the significance of running and hiking in all our lives.

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BRING THE SALMON HOME

Dir. Shane AndersonUS / 14’

FROM THE SHADOW OF A MOUNTAIN

Dir. Alex MasseyUS / 6’

JUST A KID FROM BALTIMORE

Dir. Spencer Miller, Camden MillerUS / 20’

LA GARA

Dir. Julen ElorzaUS / 15’

MANDEM

Dir. Nathan BaxterUK / 14’

TAITH GALED

Dir. Ryan Van KesterenUK / 23’

THE MIDDLE OF THE WORLD

Dir. Andrew HolzschuhUS / 4’

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Run & Hike - Red

Presented by Ledlenser

Getting back to the core of why we run, walk, and hike, this collection of short films will have you yearning to get out and about.

Whether you love the fells, roads or track, we explore what running and hiking means to us all.

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NO LOST SHOES

Dir. Max RomeyUS / 12’

RED NEEDLE

Dir. Dom Bush & Simon SylvesterUK / 6'

THE PENNINE WAY

Dir. Frit TamUK / 33’

THE RIGHT TO RACE

Dir. Richard Bullock33’

THE SUMMIT WITHIN

Dir. Roo SmithUS / 14’

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Bike - Blue

Presented by Trek Bikes

Just two wheels…it’s amazing what the bike has done for humanity. In this film collection we round up some incredible stories of community, travel, athleticism, artistry and some proper good humour.

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LANDO STEEZY

Dir. Mark Johansson, Matt ButterworthCanada / 6’

QUEENS OF THE CLASSIC

Dir. Samuel CravenUK / 15’

THE NINE WHEELS

Dir. Santiago Burin des RoziersUK / 22’

THE RHYTHM OF ONE

Dir. Laurel MyersUS / 18’

THE TRAILS BEFORE US

Dir. Fritz BitsoieUS / 13’

THIS FIGHT COMES FROM YOU

Dir. Ewan ThackerUK / 10’

WINDS OF CHANGE

Dir. Tommy Wilkinson, Manon CarpenterUK / 14’

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Bike - Red

Presented by Trek Bikes

Just two wheels… it’s amazing what the bike has done for humanity. In this film collection we round up some incredible stories of community, travel, athleticism, artistry and some proper good humour.

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CHASING KASPER

Dir. Nick WaggonerCanada / 11’

FAST EDDIE

Dir. Keely MeechanNew Zealand / 14’

FRANKENBIKING

Dir. Joel Porter, Alex MooreUK / 15’

GEORGIA ASTLE: FLIP THE SWITCH

Dir. Scott SeccoCanada / 3’

LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER

Dir: Justin SullivanUK / 14’

THE RIGHT TO JOY

Dir. Jay Melena, Tim KressinUS / 20’

THE SLOW LANE

Dir. Alexa FayCanada / 19’

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Water

Presented by Keela

This curation looks below the surface; following the practice of those who dive deep and hold their breath. Discover the traditions and developing cultures of those who paddle and row oceans and rivers, and gasp at the joyful daring of big-wave surfers. And most of all, we stay in the gentle, roaring moment of water. Therapeutic, threatening, a daily practice, a life-long dream. These aquatic stories flow apart, and back together. Sink in.

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A GOOD PLACE TO BE

Dir. Reuben WorlledgeUK / 3’

AND YET, I REMAIN

Dir. Rick WallSouth Africa / 8’

CUTTING THE CRAP

Dir. Aletta Elizabeth HarrisonUK / 9’

DRIVING SWEEP

Dir. Gregory CairnsUS / 10’

GENDER OUTLAW: A BODYSURFING STORY

Dir. Peter WilliamsUS / 16’

LIGHT BEAMS FOR HELENA

Dir. Kirk HortonUS / 10’

PADDLE TRIBAL WATERS

Dir. Paul Robert Wolf Wilson, Rush SturgesUS / 9’

UNDER THE SURFACE

Dir. Rachel RossUK / 25’

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Air

Presented by Columbia

Films that celebrate the invisible substance that give us so much joy; whether it’s flying, falling through, or even seemingly walking on it.

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7 SUMMITS OF THE ALPS

Dir. Valentin RappGermany / 19’

ABOVE THE NOISE

Dir. Adam De SilvaUK / 6'

DESERT WINGS

Dir. Nathan McBrideUS / 4’

GOING HOME

Dir. Ashley WilliamsNew Zealand / 9’

Magic of Freedom

Dir. Jake HollandUK / 30’

SPEEDRIDING THE FRENCH ALPS

Dir. Carl WeisethUS / 3’

WALKING ON ICE

Dir. Ye ZhangChina / 32’

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Ride & Flow

Presented by Saltrock

A collection to celebrate all things board-related. Whether you ride surf, slope or concrete, join us for stories that slide sideways. We meet some of the diverse and divergent scenes across the world; people who are riding into the future and rising up against all odds.

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FIFTH TIDE

Dir. Lena Kemna, Christina GindlGermany / 19’

JANWAAR

Dir. ​​Danny SchmidtUS / 10’

LET ME LIVE

Dir. Keith MalloyUS / 17’

THE STORM CHASER

Dir. Jack PirieUK / 7’

TRANSENDERS

Dir. Diane Russo ChengUS / 10’

WITH THE TIDE

Dir. Chelsea J JollyUS / 25’

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Paddle

Presented by Keela

Dive into a world of aquatic exploration. From serene lake paddles to exhilarating whitewater adventures, these films will transport you to breathtaking waterways, showcasing the beauty and thrill of paddling sports in some of the most stunning locations on earth.

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BLACK PEOPLE DON’T DO THAT

Dir. Kenny HamlettUS / 21’

CHICAS AL AGUA

Dir. Liz McGregorUS / 18’

NEAR THE RIVER

Dir. Darby McAdamsUS / 11’

ON, IN & UNDER THE SAVA

Dir. Rožle Bregar, Carmen KuntzSlovenia / 5’

RIO PUSUNO: MEET THE COMMUNITY

Dir. Ben Stookesberry, Willie HenkelEcuador / 44’

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Human Spirit

Presented by Pertex

In this collection, meet the heroes and heroines overcoming their fears and rising against the odds to accomplish their dreams in the outdoors.

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CAMP COURAGE

Dir. Max LoweUS / 32’

GREEN SPACE

Dir. Mark VaughanUK / 12’

GROWERS

Dir. Charlie WoodUK / 22’

THE LIST GOES ON

Dir. Robbie McHughUK / 9’

WOMEN ON THE MOVE

Dir. Alice LemkesUK / 22’

Freya (World Premiere)

Dir: Natasha BrooksUK / 4’

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Nature & Environment

Presented by Keela

Join us as we explore the ways people are connecting with, and caring for, the natural world. You can’t love what you don’t know, so these films inform and inspire us to believe in the force of nature, and our own ability to fight for it.

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AN EYE FOR PLANTS

Dir. Ross HarrisonUK / 4’

FORGOTTEN FIBRE

Dir. Tristan Patrick SherfieldUK / 10’

GHOST PONDS

Dir. Amanda SosnowskiUK / 12’

JOY

Dir. Aner Etxebarria MoralUganda / 22’

SCHOOL OF FISH

Dir. Colin Arisman, Oliver SutroUS / 19’

SKYWARD

Dir. Jessica BishoppUK / 20’

WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR GOAT

Dir. Jack Lewis ElderUS / 6’

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Rise Up

Presented by The GORE-TEX brand

Needing some inspiration this year? Grab your tickets for Rise Up, a collection of films documenting the lives of the people who are coming up with innovative and compassionate ways to defy the possibility of prejudice and find adventure throughout the world.

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BICIBÚS

Dir. John EnglishSpain / 27’

REEL ROCK: RESISTANCE CLIMBING

Dir. Nick Rosen, Peter Mortimer, Zachary BarrUS / 37’

THE ALPINE RUN PROJECT

Dir. Andy AshworthUK / 15’

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Outside Thinkers

Presented by Keela

We introduce Outside Thinkers - a collection of films that will take you on a perception-altering journey of discovery. Join us as we think outside the box and toy with the way we view the world with this provocative and challenging collection. At the centre of this collection is a human-told story, a quest to understand what happens to our sense of place in a rapidly changing world and how nature can help us overcome some of the darkest periods in our lives.

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BETWEEN EARTH & SKY

Dir. Andrew NadkarniUS / 25’

DESIRE LINES

Dir. Duncan CowlesUK / 8’

FINDING FENN’S GOLD

Dir. Sara Joe WolanskyUS / 28’

LE TOIT DE BEN

Dir. Nicolas BellavanceCanada / 14’

TETHER

Dir. Laura Basil DuncanUK / 12’

Canopy Climbers

Dir. Roo SmithCosta Rica / 10'

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Age is no barrier

Presented by The GORE-TEX brand

Connecting with the outdoors can be a lifelong opportunity and passion. These films celebrate those who sustain their sense of adventure, who are stewards of the environment even if they themselves need care, whose wisdom is expressed in wild and curious ways.

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BRAVO MARCEL - THE CENTURY CLIMBER

Dir. Hannes TellSwitzerland / 22’

FLOW

Dir. Andy McCandlishUK / 11’

MAN OF ARRAN

Dir. Paul McCambridgeUK / 20’

THE HAGENS

Dir. Jake HollandUK / 23’

TWO POINT FOUR

Dir. Natasha BrooksUK / 20’

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Outside Artists

Presented by Keela

We are excited to present outdoor inspired artists at the Festival in a collection of films that celebrate the beauty, mystery and magic of wild landscapes.

Come with us on an immersive journey and see an amazing cross section of the arts and the outdoors that will be a treat for your senses.

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BRIGHT TOH: UNSUNG HERO

Dir: Garth KingwillCameroon / 5’

ECHDOE

Dir. Gwen Kathryn ThomsonUK / 5’

ICE MERCHANTS

Dir. João GonzalezPortugal / 14’

GREEN SPACE DARK SKIES ABOVE THE EARTH BELOW THE STARS

Dir: Mark Murphy, Rupert ShanksUK / 20’

FOOTSTEPS - JOURNEY OF A SONG

Dir. Johannes AitzetmüllerAustria / 18’

THE LEGEND OF GOLDHORN

Dir. Lea VuckoSlovenia / 14’

WINTER’S EVE

Dir. Max Lowe? / 9'

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Brit Rock at Kendal

Hard Git

Dir. Al LeeUK / 25'

Goddess of Craic

Dir. Al LeeUK / 28'

HeadJam

Dir. Al LeeUK / 36'

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Parent & Baby

Presented by Saltrock

A screening of some of our favourite Festival films open to parents and guardians with babies under 2.

Everyone in the cinema is a parent or carer, so there’s no need to worry about disturbing others if your baby cries. With softer volume and ever-so-slightly brighter lights, you can look after your little one while also enjoying inspirational on-screen content.

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ALONG FOR THE RIDE

Dir. Monet AdamsUK / 10’

HERE, HOLD MY KID

Dir. Adam Gendle, Johno VerityUS / 39’

LOVE

Dir. Tara Reynvaan KerzhnerUS / 15’

THE HAGENS

Dir. Jake HollandUK / 23’

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The North Face & Ellis Brigham film trilogy

Join The North Face and Ellis Brigham for a thrilling film trilogy that spans a record running achievement, punishing Scottish winter climbing and a very personal exploration of cultural heritage.

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Descendance

Dir. Michael Haunschmidt, Mathias KögelAustria / 32'

A Winter Bob

Embracing the Grim

Dir. Aleksandra JaniakUK / 13'

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Films in sessions and events

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A Different Perspective

Dir. Matt PainSweden / 11'

Screening at Fjällräven Slow Adventure Session (Sold Out)

Café Americano

Dir. Ben Page, Joey Schusler, Thomas WoodsonUS / 14'

Screening at Trek Bike Night

Continuum

Dir. Robin Van Gyn, Michelle Parker, Aaron BlattCanada / 23'

Screening in the Arc'teryx Women in Adventure Session (Sold Out)

Dry Slope Dreams

Dir. Dominic Pye, Szilard PusztaiUK / 13'

Screening at the Nidecker Snowboards Snow Night

Edge of the line

Dir. Luis De SaPortugal / 9'

Screening at Big Wave Surfer Andrew Cotton Presented by Saltrock

Finding An Edge

Dir. James MaloneUK / 5'

Screening at the Nidecker Snowboards Snow Night

ISA

Dir. Yucca Films6'

Screening at the Arc'teryx Women in Adventure Session (SOLD OUT)

Left Right - A Film About Turning

Dir. Samuel McMahonSwitzerland / 23'

Screening at the Nidecker Snowboards Snow Night

Moon Lines

Dir. Sophie DanisonFrance / 10'

Screening at the Arc'teryx Women in Adventure Session (SOLD OUT)

Out of the Pool, Into the Wild

Dir. Marijn WoutersNew Zealand / 11'

Screening at the Outdoor Swimming Session presented by Voited

People Like Us

Dir: Ryan-Paul Collins23' / Canada

Screening at Pride

Perfect Partners

Dir. Jessie LeongUK / 10'

Screening at Montane presents Below Zero

Polers of the Okavango

Dir. Olly PembertonUK / 33'

Screening at Aldo Kane & Guests - Adventures in Extreme Locations

SOUP

Dir. Sam WalkerUK / 6'

Screening at the Outdoor Swimming Session presented by Voited

Spirit of the Forest

Dir. Jamie JonesNetherlands / 10'

Screening at Nature's Screen: Exploring Rewilding with Jack Wolfskin and Waterbear

Swimming Through

Dir. Samantha SandersUS / 15'

Screening at the Outdoor Swimming Session presented by Voited

The Club

Dir. Grace T.S.PUK

Screening at the The North Face and Petzl Climb Session

The White Giant

Dir. Vetle SevildNorway / 23'

Screening at the Nidecker Snowboards Snow Night

Thrawn

Dir. Hannah BaileyUK / 12'

Screening at the Nidecker Snowboards Snow Night

VISION Chapters

Dir. Adam DaysonUK / 11'

Screening at Trek Bike Night

Family Adventure Films

Our vision is to inspire more people to explore and enjoy the outdoors, and we feel strongly this starts with the youngest members of our community.

We are delighted to offer this colourful and exciting curation of short films, taking in global landscapes to at-home adventures. This selection is perfect for those energetic, curious and magical younger members of the family in particular.

A selection of the below films will be shown at each screening.

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Daydream

Dir: SIMON CHARRIÈRE, SØREN RICKARDSSWITZERLAND / 15’

Desert Wings

Dir: NATHAN MCBRIDEUS / 4’

FLOW

Dir: ANDY MCCANDLISHUS / 4’

Freya

Dir: NATASHA BROOKSUK / 5’

GEORGIA ASTLE: FLIP THE SWITCH

Dir: SCOTT SECCOCANADA / 3’

JOJO - A TOAD MUSICAL

Dir: CHELSEA J JOLLYUS / 9’

Linking Lines

Dir: MATT WILDUK / 6’

SPEEDRIDING THE FRENCH ALPS

Dir: CARL WEISETHUS / 3’

TWO POINT FOUR

Dir: NATASHA BROOKSUK / 20’

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Access the Best of Kendal Films

For the second year in a row we are proud to present Access The Best Of Kendal which includes a selection of the most groundbreaking films - the ones with all the emotion, the psyche, the full stomach-dropping, eye-popping experience.

This Access screening will have open captions and audio description and a selection will also have on-screen BSL translation.

More films to be announced soon.

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Adra

Dir: Emma CromeUK / 54'

A GOOD PLACE TO BE

Dir. Reuben WorlledgeUK / 3’

Unseen Peaks

Dir. Roo SmithUS / 7’

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Pride

To celebrate our film programmes this year at Kendal Pride and the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, and to stand in solidarity with the local LGBTQIA+ community, Kendal Mountain Festival is proudly supporting an evening of Queer-led films.

This Collection will transport you all over the world and showcase a multitude of folk from the community, from those getting outdoors everyday and people at the top of their game.

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Gender Outlaw, a bodysurfing story

Dir. Peter WilliamsUS / 16’

People Like Us

Dir. Ryan-Paul CollinsCanada / 23

THE ASCENSION SERIES - HAMISH FROST

Dir. Emma Crome, Matt PycroftUK / 8’

TRANSENDERS

Dir. Diane Russo ChengUS / 10’

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