Climbing Works Playlist

A selection of climbing films which have screened at ShAFF over the years.



An old timer shows us all how a way of living.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Everyone loves Frank.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

The first time Frank Sanders saw Devil’s Tower was in the sudden brilliance of a lightning strike. It sent a wave of anxiety through him, but the next day he climbed The Tower. 43 years later, he’s repeated that act more than 2,000 times and learned a thing or two about about going up and not growing old.

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I need to declare an interest - but I do like dom's films so much.

David Hanney

Amazing landscape, faces and a look into old times.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

In the early 1970s the border city of Carlisle became an unlikely epicentre for hard traditional climbing and a scene developed that rivalled any in the UK. The atmosphere was competitive, a new E-grading system was born and new milestones were set. Eden is set around a little known crag close to Carlisle called Armathwaite, it was a meeting place and training venue for the Penrith and Carlisle teams, who were looking to make their mark on the British crags. The film features Pete Whillance, Pete Botteril, Charlie Woodburn and Pete Gunn and is a tribute to a much loved character who changed the face of British climbing, Jeff Lamb.

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"How on earth did they do THAT?" + "These guys are hilarious" = enormously fun film :)

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

Whisky on the wall... when climbing gets desperate.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Matt Segal and Will Stanhope have spent a decade climbing the world's hardest cracks. Crack climbing is a bold, traditionalist discipline in which climbers “jam” their hands, feet and even entire bodies into cracks, while skillfully protecting themselves from a fall by placing their own removable gear in the rock. In an age of elite athletes, fad diets and training regimes, Matt and Will harken back to the old school of climbing, where guts and spirit make up for their lack of planning and healthy lifestyle. Now they travel deep into the Canadian wilderness to the infamous Bugaboo Mountains where they are looking for the ultimate next-level crack climb – following a long, thin break in the rock so narrow that only the tips of their fingers fit inside. It’s the beginning of an epic, multi-year quest that will change their lives.

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It doesn't count as male nudity if you're covered up by a ukulele. Hilarious and dramatic sailing / climbing adventure.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

If you like big wall climbing and don't want to get too deep. This is the big Wall film for you, lots of fun form Real Rock.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Jump on board a madcap sailing adventure to the biggest rock walls in the Arctic Circle with a team of elite climbers as zany as they are talented. Sean Villanueva, Nico Favresse, Olivier Favresse and Ben Ditto have made cutting edge first ascents in remote mountain ranges around the world -- climbing hard, making music and goofing off thousands of feet in the air. Now they embark on their greatest expedition yet, voyaging to the massive walls of Greenland and Baffin Island on the good ship Dodo’s Delight, skippered by the spry 79-year old Captain Bob Shepton. Amongst rough seas, falling rocks and freezing temperatures, this hilarious and badass gang of adventurers forge bold new routes and have the time of their lives.

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The mutants are coming...

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Meet the new faces of climbing: 14-year-old Ashima Shiraishi and 15-year-old Kai Lightner are the leaders of a new generation poised to take the sport to the next level. Ashima, a New York City native, has already become the youngest person and the first female to climb the benchmark elite grades of 5.15a and v15. Kai, one of the few African American climbers rising to the top of the sport, became a national climbing champion as a high school sophomore. Now these two prodigies and friends travel to the rugged coast of Norway, where a legendary cave is filled with the most difficult climbs on earth. Pushed outside their comfort zone, Kai and Ashima learn some hard but important lessons that will carry them to even greater heights.

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BMC take us east improve to ask the benefits of climbing to a different Society.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

A glimpse into the developing climbing culture in Palestine.

Anna Paxton

Fascinating documentary on Palestinian climbing - really interesting, really fun

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

The potential of climbing to bridge political divisions

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

In spring 2016, the first climbing gym was opened in Palestine as part of the Wadi Climbing project, to help develop the Palestinian climbing community. Based in the West Bank city of Ramallah and close to the nearby wall crossing point of Qalandiya to reach East Jerusalem, these are places better known as flashpoints for Israeli/Palestinian tensions. 

Primarily through the eyes of West Bank residents, Anas Askar and his brother Urwah, the film takes a look at being a climber in Palestine and the problems that impromptu roadblocks and illegal settlements can mean in order to just reach the crag. 

Ultimately, irrespective of where we live the film hopefully shows that to a lesser or greater degree the reasons why we climb are the same. Filmmaker, Ray Wood, and writer, Ed Douglas, worked together on the short film that Paul Difley put together in the edit room.

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When you love your sport it’s so hard to be injured. This film follows professional climber Hazel Findlay on the road to recovery after a shoulder operation. Impressive to see her positivity and determination to emerge from the injury both physically and mentally stronger.

Anna Paxton

What happens when a world-famous climber is forced to stop climbing due to a serious shoulder injury? Award-winning filmmaker Jen Randall captures pro climber Hazel Findlay’s empowering road to recovery. Fascinating reflections on identity emerge from this refreshingly honest and uplifting documentary.

Ruth Farrar

Mind Control is a new BMC TV film by the award-winning Jen Randall. This is a personal and revealing portrait into the demands of being a pro climber. Features unique behind-the-scenes footage and inspiring shots of one of Hazel's hardest sends: Mind Control (8c) at Oliana.

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El Cap has been climbed many times many ways, but this is the first time it’s been free climbed solo in a day. Join Pete Whittaker en route.

Anna Paxton

Rope Solo Free Climbing is a sport that few people know about and even less people do. 

We join Pete Whittaker, his long time climbing partner Tom Randall and Big wall solo climbing expert Andy Kirkpatrick as they take us through the paces of what it really means to make a solo-free ascent of El Cap. 

 “The Problem is if Pete pulled it off, nobody would even get it, nobody would understand how hard it was”… and to do it in a day, is totally insane”. - Andy Kirkpatrick 
 “The ascent made by Pete on Freerider to me is hopefully the dawn of a new style of big wall solo climbing, big wall solo climbing on El Capitan for many years was just aid climbing. Now Pete has proven that it's possible to do that free climbing, but relatively fast” - Tom Randall A BMC TV film.
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Girl power to the max what an incredible woman. A great feel good film get the whole family inspired and Discover they are no such thing as boundaries.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Nobody thought women could climb 5.15... then came Margot Hayes. This film is a celebration of her achievement, and a reminder never to accept barriers imposed by yourself or anyone else. Super inspiring!

Anna Paxton

Exhilarating and empowering. Turbo-charged inspiration courtesy of climber Margo Hayes smashing boundaries in the climbing world. Go Margo!

Ruth Farrar

This is probably THE climbing film you want to see at this year's SHAFF. Very well made, with some top notch characters, and climbing move you have to see to believe. Recommended.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

In high-end modern rock climbing, 5.15 is the top of the difficulty scale, a grade achieved by only a few men and never by a woman. Margo Hayes, a little known 19-year-old from Boulder, Colorado, is determined to change that. To be closer to the world’s hardest routes, she has moved to Europe, where she trains and climbs with the goal of succeeding on two of the most iconic 5.15s in France and Spain. But pushing her body and mind to the absolute limit, she risks injury and failure in her quest to be the first.

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Steve McClure talks us through climbing the hardest route in the UK.

Anna Paxton

Where is your limit? Would you recognise it? For Steve McClure it’s an endless series of matchstick edges and nothing holds, high above the Yorkshire Dales. 

If this climb was one move longer, it would still be a dream… instead it’s the UK’s hardest-ever climb. A BMC TV film.

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This is going to have all of you laughing.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Very funny animation, most climbers will have been on both ends of this rope, know anyone who belays like this...?

Anna Paxton

Hugo and Lipe are back on the wall to face all challenges(and some bad luck) of alpine climbing—frozen and wet rock, poor communication with each other, inner demons, selfies, and the frigid, ever-changing weather.

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A film made by a friend here and Sheffield.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

The truth behind the Tom Randall, the man who champions pain and suffering in an age when everyone else is being kind to themselves.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Tom Randall is a modern day institution in the world of British climbing. Well known for his acquired taste for offwidth crack routes, Tom consistently sets himself the highest standards and the hardest lines. For Tom, climbing is all consuming, but this hasn't always been the case. In ‘Obsession’ Tom provides a unique insight into his formative years spent in a world entirely different to the one we associate him with now, and how he copes with conflicting priorities that are fundamental to his continued happiness and ambitious drive.

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The Ken Wilson story, one of the legends of British climbing who remained between the lines, almost....

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Hard Rock is a tribute to writer and publisher Ken Wilson (1941-2016). At the heart of the film is an interview recorded with Ken as he was beginning to suffer the effects of dementia. He reflects on his life, his work and the changes he has seen in the climbing world. One of Ken's most famous books, the classic anthology of climbing essays, Hard Rock, is used as a prism to examine his philosophy. World class climbers Steve McClure, Calum Muskett and Michaela Tracy each pay tribute by climbing a classic route from the book. Ken laments a golden age of adventure and the film marks the passing of the climbing world's most prolific publisher.

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A calm and beautiful film piecing together overheard conversations of boulders on a snowy trip.

Anna Paxton

Local production company make a beautiful bolder film. For 6 minutes we are thrown into the world of a boulder and his mates at the top of there game.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

I really, really enjoyed this. Listen carefully, theres so much reasonable climbing wisdom here.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Following his documented 4th ever ascent of the 8B+ boulder problem 'Voyager Sit Start' in the Peak District, Moon Climbing athlete David Fitzgerald set his sights on Europe. Follow the journey as David takes on some of Europe's hardest boulders and explore the reasons why bouldering means so much to so many people.

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A beautiful story form the fantastic people of across Sheffield, generations and Human kind. Beautiful Clare 💪

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

A heartwarming film which shows the real difference that climbing made to Clare on her journey to rebuild her strength and confidence after her stroke. What lovely friends and family Clare has, so much admiration for them and her.

Anna Paxton

Watch this. Right now.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Shot here in Sheffield, Reach is a film that takes us from the wards of the Children's Hospital, right out into the heart of the Peak District. Filmed over four-years, It tells the story of a local climber called Clare who suffered a life altering stroke at thirteen which left her unable to move anything but her left eye.

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Fantastically well made and much needed film on black climbers in Brooklyn. Anyone who’s been to bouldering wall will understand and identify with this movie. Awesome, you must see this.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

How can you be what you can’t see? Mikhail Martin, co-founder of Brothers of Climbing said, “I literally typed, ‘Are there black climbers?’ in Google … someone said, ‘black people don’t climb.'” A small group of climbers began to challenge that thought. The Brothers of Climbing is a crew that's making the climbing community more welcoming. Watch to see how they created a community where one wasn’t.

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Climber Dave MacLeod sets himself a challenge that shows off the beauty and diversity of The Scottish highlands.

Anna Paxton

How about attempting all your hight land life gools in one day oh bad there is only one day in 10years to do it.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Established by Dave MacLeod on the 19th March 2018, the '24/8' might be one of the hardest all-round climbing challenges around; an 8A boulder, 8a sport route, E8 trad route, VIII,8 winter route and 8 Munros, all in under 24 hours. The challenge took place in and around Glen Nevis, on Ben Nevis and on surrounding mountains. Starting at first light, Dave climbed the font 8A+ boulder problem followed by the E8 trad route (Misadventure). Walking in through Steall Gorge, Dave climbed Leopld (F8a) at Steall Hut Crag before heading off up the flank of Ben Nevis to drop into Tower Gully and climb Frosty's Vigil (VIII,8). Arriving back on the summit of the country's highest mountain at sunset, he then headed into the night over eight Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet) to complete the challenge, and succeed in one of the most difficult and diverse climbing link-ups ever done. The film follows Dave throughout the challenge; a camera and production crew of one, Kevin Woods, who also assists in route-finding on the mountains and for whom the film is both about the climber but also the magnificence of the Scottish mountains.

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If you’re going to the best in the world you’ve got to be a bit different from everyone else. Adam Ondra is both brilliant and unique, you’ll find yourself rooting for him despite or maybe because of his weird training techniques as he attempts some of the hardest sport climbs around the world. Another fantastic Reel Rock film, don’t miss it!

Anna Paxton

What to become the world's best climber? Here is the Step by step guide in how achieve it and make everyone in the room extremely awkward.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Gain fascinating behind-the-scenes access to the processes and mindset of a true climbing pioneer pushing climbing to the next level.

Ruth Farrar

A touching and rather cute documentary about the best climber in the world, and he certainly makes enough noise to the number one. The uninitiated will primarily be in awe at the terrible haircuts on show. The adventure sports prowess portrayed is of course highly impressive, even if the participants don't know how to use a mirror.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

Every so often an athlete comes along who redefines their sport. Adam Ondra, the 25-year-old Czech crusher, is exploring a new realm of human potential in climbing. Late last year, he established a benchmark for the sport; a 5.15d in Norway he dubbed Silence (as in, drop the mic). On the heels of this ascent, we follow Adam from his home in the Czech Republic, across Europe to North America, as he innovates new training methods, establishes upper echelon first ascents, and attempts to be the first person to send 5.15 on the first try. Age of Ondra is a rare, intimate journey with one of the greatest athletes at the peak of his powers.

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So climbing is in the Olympics, Bouldering, Lead, and ...Speed... This entertaining film explores what it’s all about and how the pros are adapting to a discipline that a lot of climbers would rather forget.

Anna Paxton

One of Reel Rocks total nail-on-the-head-hits

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

When climbing was announced as part of the 2020 Olympics, it was a monumental occasion for the sport. But many climbers were shocked to learn that one of three combined events required to compete for a medal is… speed climbing. REEL ROCK correspondent Zachary Barr looks into this little-known and seldom practiced sub-discipline of the sport, and the role it will play in shaping climbing’s future. Barr’s journey from the U.S. to France (the birthplace of modern speed climbing) to South Asia (it’s actually huge there) culminates at an international competition in Moscow, where speed demons race up a 15-meter wall in less than six seconds.

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Super inspiring film, a window into a different set of lives.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Women are Mountains is a short documentary film that portrays the lives of climbers Mônica Filipini and Danielle Pinto in the quiet city of São Bento do Sapucai, in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. At the same time as they are responsible for their children and domestic affairs, they are able to enjoy their great passion: the mountains. With lyricism, this documentary showcases Brazilian feminine multi-pitch climbing scenery (a traditionally masculine sport in Brazil) and investigates the motivations of the two climbers practicing the sport.

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Spectacular free solo attempt on a waterfall... wait for the 'splash crux' !

Anna Paxton

When climbing why not leave the ropes behind and take a waterproof instead? 😮

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Free soloing a waterfall in Japan, epic! An innovative and inspiring climbing film.

Jimmy Hyland

An authentic perspective on Free Soloing, as Toru Nakajima, (infamous to Grtistoners as the first ascensionoist of BlackOut, E96C) of tackles (what I'm sure in this country is known as 'what-we-make-kids-do-on-outwardbound-weekends-in-December) but in Japan is sawanobori’ – the ancient art of climbing waterfalls.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Tateyama, Toyama Prefecture. After you pass Ashikura Temple, which is an entrance to Tateyama mountain range, you will see a wide valley surrounded by a 500m cliff. This "groove" cut into the plateau of pyroclastic flow deposits from Tateyama volcano is a trace of an ancient giant fall that Shomyo river had gradually wore over 220,000 years. At the back of the groove about 7km upstream, there is a site in which Shomyo river has been digging the groove. That is a Shomyo Falls that known as the largest drop in Japan. The rain and melted snow on Tateyama range gather and run into this valley cuts into the plateau, and then flow down a 350 m gap to the bottom of the groove. The amount of water is enormous throughout the year. The roar from 3 tons of water flow every second make its imposing appearance and impress you as the greatest waterfall in Japan. Toru Nakajima, although his age is 26, he has the ability to compete with top climbers in the world. Not only he has climbed some V15 and 5.14 but also experienced some bold climbing such as free solo in UK. One day he came up with the challenge; “Free soloing on Shomyo Falls”. Freesolo is a solo climbing without a rope. It is the most primitive and “free” method of rock climbing. Climbers climb cliffs with no safety equipment, literally by themselves. The only difference between free soloing and usual free climbing is whether they use such equipments or not. However, the difference is crucial for their lives. Falling in free soloing means a death. Free soloing is a completely crazy style. Whoever he told “I would like to free solo Shomyo falls,” they seemed to be saying "Are you serious?" No one showed praise like “it is gonna be great.” Free soloing this waterfall is very different from that on a dry cliff. On a dry, hard rock, you will never fail unless you will choose a route too hard for your level, get terribly or lose your focus during the route. However, free soloing on this Shomyo Falls has various other factors which you cannot control with your climbing skills. Rock is soaked, so slippery, and fragile, and there are rock falls frequently. The river rises so quickly when it rains. It was not easy for you, who have climbed only dry rocks, to avoid these risks. However, you have to climb carefully, finding out loose rocks and better spot to grab on, step by step, and finish it before the weather would get worse to avoid falling to die. He is not an adventurer but an ordinal young guy who study in a laboratory every day and look forward to going to mountains on weekends or hanging out with friends. He wouldn’t fall and die for anything. So He was really worried until the day before the attempt. Fear eroded his mind when he put down his guard and forced him to imagine the worst ending. “Am I eager to free solo that waterfall? Do I need such a hardship in my life?” He had been asking himself every day, but he had not got an answer. How he overcome these risks and fears? The film shows you an awesome challenge in a magnificent nature by a climber.

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A gentle amble around the boulders of Font!

Anna Paxton

From the well-traveled classics to brand new first ascents, watch BD Ambassador Chris Schulte take a tour through the mecca of all bouldering areas. “I’ve always assumed that in such a popular and historic area full of talented climbers from all over the place, anything and everything has been done,” he says. “Which of course isn’t the case …” Watch as Schulte unveils new problems in the mecca of all bouldering areas.

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There's something very satisfying about watching Steve McLure take on this beautiful route at one of the UK's most impressive crags.

Anna Paxton

Climber Steve McClure has always been inspired by the Cromlech in Llanberis Pass gradually making his way through all the classics over the years, however, one challenge remained: 'Nightmayer' at a hefty E8 6c'. In this short and engrossing film we join Steve on his goal to make a successful 'on sight' of this infamous route a feat which as never been achieved before.

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Climbing back to your roots, across generations and land boundaries

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

A story of cultural identity and rock climbing exploration as we follow one of Australia’s top rock climbers – 14 year old Angie Scarth-Johnson – on an adventure to a remote and rugged island in the South Pacific. After smashing climbing records around the world, Angie is now looking for her next challenge. She will journey to the Pacific island of ‘Eua with her family and friend Lee Cossey to explore her own ancestry, and search for a classic line on the wild frontier of rock climbing development. PACIFIC LINES is an inspiring, heartfelt and fun story about one of the most human subjects – identity. By exploring her family’s past, she can forge her own path ahead.

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Marvellous film about black climbers in the deep south. Absolute must-see film.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

Smashed it, such an energetic great insight.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Founded on the belief that everyone is welcome, Memphis Rox opened a climbing gym to be at the center of the city's revitalization.

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Beautiful women's climbing and wild swimming movie. Terrifying, obviously, but also lovely.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

Ah that feeling when you're committed to climbing a route and you suddenly regret every decision that led to this moment.

Anna Paxton

Experience fear and emotion alongside climber Jenny Abegg as she ascends a route while fighting the self-criticism and doubt from that little voice we all have in the back of our heads.

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Shot like a David Attenborough documentary, what a beautiful place to climb.

Anna Paxton

What is Tarzan actually had the place his gear?

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

National Geographic Explorer Mike Libecki continues his addiction to unexplored Earth in hopes of standing on a first ascent, but as the saying goes, "When life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door." Sometimes one of the most difficult things on an expedition is to try and define the line between dangerous and too dangerous...sometimes coming home alive is success.

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A glimpse into the world of a forest-dwelling mapmaker and his dirtbaggy bouldering friends.

Anna Paxton

A very pretty bouldering movie with some fantastic drawing and and hand-made mapping, which is also a bucolic portrait of alternative culture. Highly enjoyable.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

A arctic capture of the bouldering life, if it was everlasting.

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

You can’t take a photo of every boulder in Linville Gorge – but you can draw it. Or at least, Joey Henson can. Follow Joey and a community of rock climbers as they climb, document, and preserve the boulders around Boone, North Carolina.

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Starts out like your average climbing retrospective and turns into something completely unexpected, surprising, and uplifting!

Anna Paxton

Evolves from being a magnificent display of mid-90s bouldering machismo to an entertaining depiction of culture clash between climbers and cowboys. Turns into a wonderful story of how adventure can lead to communities coming together. Lots of interesting class politics. Highly entertaining, you are guaranteed to laugh out loud several times.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

In rural Utah, a valley of world-class bouldering is nestled among a conservative community of Mormons, cowboys and coal miners. When a ragged band of punk rock climbers shows up, the two cultures inevitably clash. After years of antagonism, a group of climbers work with locals to build a more harmonious future. But in this divided era, is that even possible?

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Dedication, determination and hard climbing!

Jimmy Hyland

One of the hardest bouldering challenges in the world, finally climbed by an exceptional female climber. Some phenomenal training sequences as well as actual climbs make this a fascinating bouldering film. "You have to trust your fingers won't break."

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

French powerhouse Melissa Le Nevé spends seven years battling insane moves, inner doubt, and the burden of history to climb the most revered sport route on earth.

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An inspiring and topical story about stepping outside your comfort zone, in the mountains with your mates!

Jimmy Hyland

Must watch for this festival a must watch for the world.

Ed Birch Director of Salt-Street productions

Cool, inspiring film about a black climbing wall in Memphis Tennessee, Memphis Rocks. It is, by some margin, the best made and most entertaining film in this whole festival, while also having the most resonance and meaning - a true "must-see "We're the little brothers of rock climbing and we need our family." "I was battling my demons but they all melted away when I was on the ice wall." "I'm no longer a street dude, I'm an alpinist". "Why does everything bad have to be called black? Like black ice." "Pressure make diamonds."

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

How can our world be so bad and so good at the same time? There was so much courage from everybody involved in making this film happen. But what a fabulous result!

Simon Taylor

A crew of aspiring ice climbers from the Memphis Rox gym travels to the frozen wilds of Montana, where mentors Manoah Ainuu, Conrad Anker and Fred Campbell share their love of winter adventure in the mountains.

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A film that is as much about hopes for increasing racial equality as the adventure and freedom of bouldering.

Simon Taylor

Wonderful short climbing film which is satisfyingly artistic. Great companion piece for Black Ice. "I've known rivers ancient of the world, older than the flow of human blood in human veins; my soul has grown deep like the rivers"

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

A climber falls asleep on the subway and awakes in the rugged paradise of his own daydream.

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Tying together two generations of climbing history!

Jimmy Hyland

Deep Roots is a multi layered story. It shows how world-famous climbing destination Yosemite was cleared of the Native American tribes who lived there by racist white prospectors and settlers. It shows how famous climber Ron Kauk succeeded in Yosemite, and then married into the remaining first peoples. And it shows not just how his sons have followed him into climbing, but also how the family reconnected through climbing.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

Lonnie Kauk’s personal journey to honor his indigenous Yosemite roots, and to connect with his legendary father by repeating his iconic climbs.

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Fun, entertaining tale of climbing in Mongolia with great photography and engaging presenters. Includes a terrific episode where they encounter traditional shamans and are marched off the mountain - and then play board games. Strongly recommended - a very good watch which is surprisingly deep.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

Best friends Hazel Findlay and Maddy Cope journey to the rocky outer reaches of Mongolia, on a quixotic search for new trad routes.

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Gritstone climbing and bouldering in the Peak District through the eyes of an American.

Simon Taylor

The joy of Sheffield climbing from an outside view.

Jimmy Hyland

A meditation on bouldering on Stanage Edge.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

BD Ambassador Chris Schulte recently made a pilgrimage to explore “god’s own stone,” otherwise known as England’s famed and notorious gritstone. In his own words, everything you’ve heard about the “grit” is true … “except when it’s not.”

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Utterly gorgeous climbing movie set in French Polynesia. It is great fun, but includes a deftly told and multi-layered political story. Surprising. Great music too.

Paul Hodgson Music Judge

The sailing boat «Maewan» arrives in 2018 in Makatea, a unique island of Polynesia. A circle of coral raised about a hundred meters above a turquoise sea, a large variety of fauna and flora, a dream landscape... but also an exploited and abandoned island in the middle of the remains of the phosphate mines. As Erwan Le Lann and Marion Courtois discover the incredible limestone cliffs that the island offers right beside the sea, they discuss the possibilities of equipment and development of the site with the locals. 6 months later they come back with a team of twenty enthusiasts, climbers, speleologists, rescuers, educational and environmental managers, photographers, cameramen, journalists...to set up the “Makatea Vertical Adventure” project. The goal being to develop eco-responsible tourism, which is respectful of the biodiversity of the atoll and its inhabitants through the practice of climbing.

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Challenging adventure in a raw landscapes

Simon Taylor

A great jamboree of an adventure!

Claire Carter Writer, Film Officer for Kendal Mountain Festival, 'Creative Consultant'.

Four friends travel to Baffin Island for a forty-day human-powered adventure, featuring bigwall first ascents, whitewater paddle descents, and wild Arctic flamingos.

Sustainability Notes

This is a remote human-powered expedition - most folks who travel into this part of Baffin Island fly up the valley or get a boat ride out of the town of Pangnirtung, in order to access their objectives. This team paddled by packraft from the docks of Pangnirtung to the mouth of the Weasel River, then hiked to their objectives in Auyuittuq National Park.

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