Kendal Mountain Festival 2025 programme

KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

2025 PROGRAMME

SHARE THE ADVENTURE

OUR VISION IS TO INSPIRE MORE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE, RESPECT AND REPRESENT MOUNTAINS, WILDERNESS AND THEIR CULTURES

WELCOME TO THE 2025 FESTIVAL!

Welcome to our filmmakers, who have travelled from far and wide to share their interpretations of this beautiful world. To our speakers, presenters, authors, artists, and musicians — who remind us what it means to be open to adventure, to embrace challenge, to tell stories that shift perspectives and deepen our connection to the landscapes we roam and learn from. Welcome too to the brands and organisations who make this all possible, who believe in our ambition to ‘Share the Adventure’ and trust us to champion their own ambitions along the way. But most of all, welcome to you, our Festival friends. Whether you’re here for the first time or returning home to familiar faces and places, you are the beating heart of this Festival. Over these four days in November, you bring Kendal to life, filling our town with energy, conversation, and hope.

This year, our theme is Hope — inspired by philosopher Byung-Chul Han, who offers an antidote to the fear that so often dominates our world:

“A spectre is haunting us: fear. We are constantly confronted with apocalyptic scenarios... But it is precisely at such moments of fear and despair that hope arises like a phoenix from the ashes... Hope is the spring that liberates us from our collective despair and gives us a future.”

Together, we find hope in stories, in shared moments, in each other. Hope thrives in community, in daring to experience joy with others. Our wish for you is to embrace all that is ‘Kendal’: the wonder, the joy, the tears, the pinch-me moments. This Festival is created with purpose to remind us that, collectively, we are powerful, aligned, and can do good — and that if such magic can happen here, in this ol’ grey town up north, then there is hope that it can happen anywhere.

Welcome all, to Kendal 2025.

Jacqui Scott - CEO, Steve Scott, Clive Allen - Directors

YOUR GUIDE TO ENJOYING THE FESTIVAL

PROGRAMME

Dive into the essence of Kendal! This year, immerse yourself in over 180 films, including 84 World, European and UK premieres. We have 30+ book events, 160+ speaker sessions – 75 of which are free-to-attend in Basecamp, over 50 activities and workshops, and an abundance of parties waiting for you! All events are detailed within this programme and on the website.

TICKETS

WHERE TO BUY Grab your tickets online at kendalmountainfestival. com or visit our Box Office at the Brewery Arts during the Festival. Over the Festival, all tickets will be scanned for entry, please have your tickets ready on arrival to your event, either on your phone or printed.

THE FESTIVAL TICKET APP The app allows you to browse and book events, add them to your weekend planner, and easily access your tickets. Available to download now on the App Store & Google Play.

BOX OFFICE Open on Thursday from 13.00, from 08.30 on Friday and Saturday, and from 09.00 on Sunday.

AVAILABILITY While many events are sold out, we might just have some last-minute spots available. Check with the Box Office for ticket returns.

PUNCTUALITY Doors open 15-30 minutes prior. Remember, all sessions start on time!

VENUES

TOWN OVERVIEW The Festival is set against the beautiful backdrop of Kendal. Check out our venue map and navigate to key locations with ease.

BREWERY ARTS The heart of our Film and Book events. Find the Box Office, Rab Cinema Screens, Guest Lounge, and Media Centre. They also have a restaurant, pop up food tent and a bar for you to enjoy.

FILM PROGRAMME ON DEMAND

With so many films on offer, it’s a marathon in itself to try to watch everything over one weekend.

From Thursday 20 November, the Kendal Mountain Player, our online streaming platform, will be your personal guide to the 2025 Film Festival. From short film collections to life-affirming feature films, we’re showcasing award-winning titles, new releases, and The Festival’s favourites — all from the comfort of your sofa!

Enjoy the 2025 Festival Films for just £34.99* or for an extra £10, subscribe for a whole year for £44.99.

Discover it all at kendalmountainplayer.com

*Available 20 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 only

BASECAMP VILLAGE (ABBOT HALL PARK) Enjoy the many food and drink outlets placed around the Basecamp village. Engage in inspiring talks on the deuter Bothy, Osprey Adventure and Passenger Gallery Stages, as well as in The Yurt – presented by YETI, SportShoes Hub, Pilgrim’s Refuge, Volkswagen R Performance Hub, and our Teepee dedicated to Outdoor Charities. You can find the Festival Book and Merchandise Store next door to the Lowa Lounge – where you can enjoy our special Festival mulled wine and live music.

Our Information Desk is situated in the Basecamp Village and is open every day from 09.30. Lost Property will be handed in here.

OTHER VENUES Wander through the lanes and discover Kendal Town Hall, The Box, The Venue at The Barrel House, and the Kendal Leisure Centre. New for 2025 is the Festival’s latest party space, the Warehouse situated next door to the No Hands Rest cafe. Use our handy map in the programme to guide you.

TRAVEL TIP Everything’s closer than you think! No venue is more than a 20-minute walk from another. Most are just a quick 5-minute stroll apart. Parking in Kendal is a bit tight, especially near the Brewery Arts and Town Hall, aim to park a bit further out and enjoy a short walk. For detailed parking info, check out our website’s Travel page.

KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONY

Join us for a magical celebration that marks the official opening of this year’s Festival! Gather outside Abbot Hall Art Gallery with family, friends, and cowbells in hand for a parade of music, lights, stilt walkers, lanterns, and community spirit. Follow the procession around the park into Basecamp, where we will declare the Festival open and screen some of this year’s films. A free, family-friendly event that captures the adventure, creativity, and heart of the Festival. Please bring head torches.

OUR FESTIVAL TRAILER

The trailer was curated using over 100 films from the Festival Film Programme, and includes an immersive audio description (AD), written as a short poem. Created in partnership with Everyfield Films, with accessibility consultancy provided by Find It Film. Poem written by Kendal’s Film & Arts Manager, Faye Latham.

A Little Story About Hope

How shall we begin this story?

Stories do well to start at dawn

As do adventures

Held in the halo of a tent

The tiny pulse of secrets

worn around the night

And that inevitable question

What happens when morning comes?

When we dare to open our eyes

Dream of sunbeams

Through the trees

Get up / At the starting line

A thousand people race uphill

Hooves kick / Walk backwards

Forwards / Drive / Balance

Run into the ocean / Feet free

Wheels spin / Rope swing

And more than anything

A laugh / teaches you to fly

To draw a picture

Stretch out your arms

Dive in / And with each breath

Hang on / Until all of a sudden the story slips

And at the end of everything: a great fall

Loss gives space for action

Provides room for something even deeper

Something we still have time for:

Hope / and nature too

Out there / hearts flare

It’s a small enough thing

To allow a head to emerge from the water

And let the ripples fan out

And create roots

as deep as people are

Because what’s a good story without people?

We need to dance

Celebrate the small wins

Because in this world

Kindness is the highest form of intelligence

It’s what helps us turn off the light

And be content with a day well spent.

FEATURE FILM EVEREST DARK

5:15pm - 6:45pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

As the death toll on the world’s highest peak rises, this gripping film follows one of Nepal’s most legendary climbers as he leads an elite team of Sherpas on a life-threatening mission to retrieve fallen climbers from Everest’s Death Zone.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

LOUIS D. HALL IN GREEN

Supported by Blundstone

5:30 - 6:30pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

In his mid-twenties, restless in the routine of a city, Louis D. Hall decided to fulfil a childhood dream – to make an uncharted journey on horseback. His romantic travel writing will take you along old paths, into ancient villages, sharing rural homes of farmers and shepherds in the Ligurian Alps, Pyrenees, Basque country and Galician coast.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER EVENT

BBC RADIO 4 - LOOSE ENDS

5:30 - 6:30pm Thursday 20 November

Kendal Town Hall

Step into the unpredictable world of Loose Ends — this eclectic show brings together an ever-changing lineup of musicians, comedians, writers, and cultural figures for an hour of lively banter, unexpected moments, and standout live performances. Stuart Maconie returns as host, joined on stage by a lineup of special guests, including award-winning author Sarah Hall, Horrible Histories writer Terry Deary, and local musician Holly Brooke.

Free to attend - tickets required

FILM

COLLECTIONS

PADDLE Presented by KEEN

6:00 - 7:45pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p45.

CLIMB - RED Presented by Jöttnar

6:00 - 7:45pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p40.

RIDE & FLOW Presented by KEEN

6:00 - 7:45pm Thursday 20 November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on p46.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM

SADPARA

6:30 - 7:30pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Iconic big mountains are most often associated with big expeditions, big objectives and big dreams. But what about those whose lives are inseparably intertwined with them? Sadpara is a journey through the heart of Pakistan’s mountains that explores the bond that unites its people with the high lands.

Tickets £11.50

This is a relaxed screening - the lights will not be fully dimmed, the audio will be slightly quieter, and you will be free to move in and out of this space as you need.

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 1

7:00 - 8:30pm Thursday 20 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER EVENT

CELEBRATING JUNKO TABEI AND 50 YEARS OF WOMEN ON EVEREST

Presented by Craghoppers

7:30 - 10pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Join us for a remarkable evening that uncovers the untold stories of women in high-altitude mountaineering and marks the 50th anniversary of a groundbreaking moment in adventure history — the first female ascent of Mount Everest by Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei on 16 May 1975. The evening includes the UK launch of Mountaineering Women, the compelling new book from Joanna Croston, Director of the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival, and the world premiere screening of More Than A Mountain, a unique documentary following fifteen women as they retrace Junko’s journey on Nepal’s Yala Peak.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT THE CYCLING SESSION

Presented by Brompton & Tailfin

7:30 - 10:15pm Thursday 20 November Kendal Leisure Centre

An evening of inspiring tales from across the twowheeled world, hosted by bike messenger turned ultra-endurance cyclist Emily Chappell and local cyclist Ben Dowman. We’ve got an incredible lineup – join us to hear from former pro cyclist Pippa York, as she reflects on her Tour de France experiences as Robert Millar in her memoir, The Escape; record breaking ultra cyclists Molly Weaver, Brompton enthusiasts Harry and Stu, Ade Ola from the Women of Colour Cycling Collective, Donna McConnell of Chain Gang Cyclists, and Justinas Leveika – ultra legend and Tour Divide record holder!

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FEATURE FILM

ALL THE MOUNTAINS GIVE

8:00 - 9:30pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Due to widespread poverty in the Kurdish cities of Iran, many people earn a living through Kolbari – smuggling household goods over Iran and Iraq’s perilous mountain border. People who do this job are called Kolbar. This is an intimate portrait of Hamid and Yaser, two close friends who are forced into Kolbari.

Tickets £11.50

SPEAKER EVENT

THE BELOW ZERO SESSION

Presented by Montane

8:00 - 10:00pm Thursday 20 November Brewery Arts - Theatre

Embrace the chill with tales of high-stakes adventure in the harshest conditions.

Presented by Rachael Crewesmith, we’ll hear from Tom Hollins on his record-breaking selfsupported winter Wainwright round in just eight days, and Hugo and Ross Turner — the Turner Twins — who climbed Mera Peak in 1924 Everest period clothing to compare Irvine and Mallory’s equipment against today’s modern mountaineering equivalent. Plus Team GB Ice Swimming competitor Katie Irving will put shivers down your spine as she talks about her success in International Ice Swimming Association events, and how to cope with distance swimming in freezing waters.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE BOULDERING SESSION

FEATURE FILM + Q&A - UK PREMIERE FROSTBITTEN

Presented by Five Ten & Slaphappy Climbing

8:00 - 10pm Thursday 20 November

Kendal Town Hall

Get ready for raw power and pure rock obsession – this event brings together some of the sport’s most exciting names and stories. We’re excited to welcome Will Bosi, Hamish McArthur and Ruby Petch, Kyle Whithand and Annie Nesta who will present their captivating new film The Way Down Here. Expect cuttingedge ascents, behind-the-scenes stories, and a celebration of the community that drives this dynamic discipline.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FEATURE FILM + Q&A Y DDRAIG (THE DRAGON)

8:15 - 9:45pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

In Y Ddraig, former professional climber and elite mountain runner Shane Ohly attempts the unimaginable, to conquer the Dragon’s Back Race in a single, non-stop push. Spanning 380km from Conwy to Cardiff, this iconic Welsh challenge is typically completed over 6 days. Supported only by a dedicated crew of friends, Shane’s journey is an extraordinary test of physical and mental endurance. Through exhilarating highs, crushing lows, and aweinspiring landscapes, Y Ddraig captures the grit and glory of one man’s race against his own limits. A truly legendary adventure that redefines the meaning of perseverance. After the film screening there will be a Q&A with Shane.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

8:15 - 9:30pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

In 1999, Nigel Vardy survived a deadly storm on Mt. McKinley (now called Denali) thanks to a record-breaking rescue. Now, 25 years later, he returns to honour the rescuers and medical teams who saved him, reflect on the journey that gave him a second chance at life, and to learn more about what drives these incredible rescuers and what makes them who they are. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Nigel.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM + Q&A - UK PREMIERE FIT FOR LIFE - DARE TO DREAM

8:15pm - 9:30pm Thursday 20 November

The Box - Kendal College

Join Jack Lowe (82 years) and Jiggs Barasara (50 years) as they attempt an ambitious cycling trip of 320km and 10,000 vertical metres in just 7 days across the classic climbs featured in the Tour de France. Phil Liggett, legendary cyclerace commentator, sets the scene each day and world-class experts reveal the secret sauce in healthy aging to inspire us all to Dare to Dream and be ambitious for our elderhood in the latter third of our lives. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Keith Partridge.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM + Q&A

CLIMBING INTO LIFE

9 - 10am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite. Never an athlete, she excelled in languages, art, music and other intellectual pursuits, but in her 60s she began climbing out of curiosity; her son, Alex Honnold, seemed to be having too much fun. Dierdre’s story proves that we are never too old to try something new. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with director Melissa Davey.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTION

BIKE - BLUE Presented by Tailfin

9 - 10:45am Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College Film collection details on p39.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT & ACTIVITY

THE NORTH FACE TRAIL SESSION

In partnership with SportsShoes

9am - 12:45pm Friday 21 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

Join The North Face athletes — Stephanie Case, Elsey Davis, Fernanda Maciel and Josh Wade — for a social trail run, then refuel with a free beverage and baked treat, and kick back to enjoy a speaker series with all the athletes, hosted by Ben Mounsey.

Tickets £16.50 (+ activity) / £9.50 (talk only)

SPEAKER EVENT

HORSEBACK ADVENTURE

SESSION Presented by Blundstone

9:30 - 11am Friday 21 November

The Venue at The Barrel House

Join us for this exciting session on horseback adventures where the spirit of exploration meets the timeless bond between humans and horses. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just curious about the world of trail riding and equine travel, this session is all about discovering what makes horseback adventures so unforgettable.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

BOLD RISKS, BIG EGOS? FEAT. ED JACKSON, MATT PYCROFT & ALDO KANE

Presented by Berghaus

9:30 - 10:45am Friday 21 November

Kendal Town Hall

In a live conversation, Ed Jackson, Matt Pycroft and Aldo Kane will explore what it means to be a man in the outdoors today. Adventure has long attracted big egos and bold risks, but it’s also a place where honestly, humility, and courage can flourish. Together, they’ll dig into the classic issues this space still faces, from outdated stereotypes to barriers around openness, while also highlighting the role models who are shaping a healthier culture.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER EVENT MARK AGNEW THERE WILL BE HEADWINDS

9:30 - 10:30am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Mark Agnew was part of the first team ever to kayak the Northwest Passage — spending 103 days in the Arctic. Join Mark for an astonishing story of ice, suffering, and camaraderie. There Will Be Headwinds is a testament to the power of teamwork, determination, and ambition — and a celebration of the human spirit of adventure.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FILM COLLECTIONS

PARENT & BABY

9:30 - 11am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Film collection details on p50.

Tickets £7.50

RUN & HIKE - RED

Presented by INOV8

9:30 - 11:15am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p47.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM & AWARDS EVENT

BMC WOMEN IN ADVENTURE

FILM SCREENING & AWARDS

9:45 - 11:15am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

Gather with us as we announce the winners of the BMC Women in Adventure Film Competition 2025. With five categories — Best Film, Best Professional, Make a Difference, Climate Action, and Best Reel — the session will include a screening of the award-winning films, a live Q&A with the filmmakers, and a prize ceremony. Come together to celebrate adventurous women and leave ready to try something new. All films will be captioned.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM IRON WINTER

9:45 - 11:15am Friday 21 November Brewery Arts - Studio In Mongolia’s remote Tsakhir Valley, Batbold faces the greatest challenge of his young life: safeguarding 1,000 horses during the deadliest winter on record. After this adventure and with the future of his community at stake, Batbold must choose between upholding the values that define his culture, or abandon them for the lure of a more appealing life in the city.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTION

MOUNTAIN - BLUE

Presented by deuter

10:30 - 12:15pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Film collection details on 43.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MINA LESLIE-WUJASTYK EAT TO CLIMB

10:30 - 11:30am Friday 21 November

The Yurt - Presented by YETI

Eat to Climb by Mina Leslie-Wujastyk is a comprehensive guide to nutrition for climbers. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned pro, this book will help you cut through the noise of nutrition fads and make informed, confident decisions about fuelling your body.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FILM COLLECTION OUTSIDE ARTISTS

Presented by KEEN

11:15 - 1pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

EXTREME ROCK

Presented by DMM

11:30 - 1pm Friday 21 November Kendal Town Hall

The new edition of the legendary Extreme Rock book launches here at Kendal, and we’re bringing together a stellar lineup to celebrate. Helmed by Rob Greenwood from UKClimbing, the event will feature author Grant Farquhar with Pat Littlejohn, Robbie Phillips, Katy Whittaker, Rob Matheson, Esther Foster, James McHaffie, and Steve McClure to chat with Rob about the regions, the climbing, and why these special routes come to be featured in the book.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER EVENT

SARAH HALL HELM

11:30 - 12:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Helen Mort welcomes master storyteller Sarah Hall with her wondrous, elemental new novel Helm — the tale of a unique life force — and of a relationship: between nature and people, neither of whom can weather life without the other.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FILM COLLECTIONS

PARENT & BABY

11:45 - 1:15pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Film collection details on p50.

Tickets £7.50

EXPLORE - RED Presented by Pertex

11:45 - 1:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

Film collection details on p41.

SNOW - RED Presented by Ortovox

11:45 - 1:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p48.

BIKE - RED Presented by Tailfin

11:45 - 1:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p39.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

WORSKHOP

BMC WOMEN IN ADVENTURE FILM WORKSHOP

12 - 2pm Friday 21 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

A session for budding filmmakers to sharpen their skills, explore new techniques, and build valuable connections.

Tickets £13.50

Designed for Extremes

Combinig

SPEAKER EVENT

FUELLING FEAR WITH ALDO KANE

Presented by YETI

12:30 - 1:30pm Friday 21 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

Join Aldo to explore fear, risk, and survival in the wild. Learn how to turn fear into focus, push your limits safely, and navigate extreme conditions with confidence. Honest stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical tips for anyone chasing adventure – without courting danger.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM + Q&A - UK PREMIERE OFF COURSE

1 - 2:45pm Friday 21 November Brewery Arts - Theatre

Stephanie Case and Sophie Grant are worldclass ultrarunners, celebrated for pushing their bodies to the edge in some of the most unforgiving races on Earth. Yet no finish line could prepare them for the most relentless and unpredictable challenge of all: the road to motherhood. After the screening there will be a Q&A with Stephanie and Sophie.

£10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT HILARY BRADT TAKING THE RISK

1:30 - 2:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

A travel industry trailblazer who cofounded Bradt Guides – the world’s largest independently owned guidebook publisher. Hilary looks back on 50 years of escapades, surprises, mishaps, disasters, and success.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FILM COLLECTION

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

Presented by Buffalo Systems

1:30 - 3:15pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on p44.

£10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM SADPARA

2 - 3pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

SPEAKER EVENT REDEFINING IMPOSSIBLE WITH DARREN EDWARDS

Presented by Rab

2:30 - 3:30pm Friday 21 November

The YURT - Presented by YETI

After a near-fatal climbing accident left him paralysed from the chest down, Darren Edwards could have seen his life of adventure end. Instead he redefined what was possible, building on a series of record-breaking expeditions, he is now preparing a solo sit-ski journey to the South Pole.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

Iconic big mountains are most often associated with big expeditions, big objectives and big dreams. But what about those whose lives are inseparably intertwined with them?

Tickets £11.50

FILM COLLECTIONS

SNOW - BLUE Presented by Ortovox

2 - 3:45pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p48.

CLIMB - BLUE Presented by Jöttnar

2 - 3:45pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p40.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

TONY JUNIPER JUST EARTH

2 - 3pm Friday 21 November

Kendal Town Hall

Hear from one of the UK’s most respected environmental voices, Tony Juniper CBE. In his latest and deeply hopeful book, he confronts the root causes of the climate and nature crises – not just the symptoms we see in headlines, but the deeper systemic issues driving them.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 2

3 - 4:30pm Friday 21 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER EVENT TOM EVANS

Presented by ASICS & SportsShoes

3:15 - 4pm Friday 21 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

Find out more about Tom Evans’ training, mindset and preparation, and what it’s like to win the world’s biggest trail race.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

RENEE MCGREGOR FUEL FOR THOUGHT

3:30 - 4:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Join leading sports dietitian Renee McGregor for an insightful discussion into how we nourish our bodies, providing us with the nutrients and fuel we need in order to live, exercise and socialise.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

GO FAST : EVERY ADVENTURE : PROTECTIVE, STABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT SHOE FOR HIKING.

VISIT THE ADIDAS TERREX BASECAMP STAND FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN.

SKYCHASER GORE-TEX AX5

FEATURE FILM + Q&A

EUROPEAN PREMIERE

CATCHING PINECONES

3:30 - 5pm - Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

This is the story of Jan and Herb Conn, pioneering rock climbers and cave explorers who lived life to the fullest in their own terms.

Rejecting a conventional lifestyle in pursuit of adventure and fun, the Conns’ story reveals a legacy of renowned discoveries and their philosophies for a simple, well-lived life.

Tickets £11.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

CLIMBING THROUGH INJURY

Presented by Tenzing

3:45 - 5pm Friday 21 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

Injuries are an inevitable part of climbing – but how do athletes return stronger, both physically and mentally? Join us for a candid and inspiring discussion with leading voices in the climbing world. Presenter George Lonsdale will be joined by climbers Max Milne and Molly ThompsonSmith, and renowned climbing physiotherapist, Andy McVittie.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

SPEAKER EVENT

ROBERT MACFARLANE IS A RIVER ALIVE?

3:45 - 4:45pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Our Festival Patron Robert Macfarlane joins us to discuss his thought-provoking new book Is A River Alive? Passionate, original, and revelatory, this is his most personal and most political book to date. Teeming with fascinating ideas, unforgettable characters, and stories.

Tickets £16.50

FEATURE FILM - UK PREMIERE ROW OF LIFE

3:45 - 5:15pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

SPEAKER EVENT NORTHUMBERLAND

THE UK’S BEST-KEPT CLIMBING

SECRET Presented by Scarpa

In 2020, Paralympic medalist and 16x Guinness World Record holder Angela Madsen attempted her final solo ocean row – 2,400 miles from Los Angeles to Hawaii. The film is a poetic story of bravery, resilience, love and loss, between Angela and her wife Deb – separated by a vast ocean – supporting each other’s dreams, despite the dangers involved.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTIONS RUN & HIKE

4:15 - 6pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p47.

HIDDEN GEMS

4:15 - 6pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p42.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

BEN FOGLE MY WILD LIFE

Presented by Buffalo

4:30 - 6pm Friday 21 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

From the icy expanse of the South Pole to the vast sands of the Sahara, Ben Fogle has journeyed to some of the most remote corners of our planet. But beyond the physical challenges, his adventures are about connection: to wild landscapes, to extraordinary people, and to the stories that remind us of our shared humanity. Plus, Ben will be joined on stage by modern nomad and author of Woman in the Wilderness, Miriam Lancewood.

Tickets £20 / u18s £15

With over 100 years of comfort, quality and fit, LOWA have the perfect match for every terrain.

4:30 - 6pm Friday 21 November

Kendal Town Hall

Brilliant crags, stunning locations, classic routes – discover them all as a galaxy of local heroes gather for the launch of an amazing new book, Northumberland: The History of Climbing in the County. To celebrate, we’re bringing together presenter Robbie Phillips and climbers Bob Smith, Dan and Katie Varian, Suzan Dudink, and Adam Watson with the authors of the book – Mark Savage, Steve Blake, and John Spencer – to talk bold run-outs, fiendish boulder problems and gripping first ascents.

Tickets £13.50 / £10

SPEAKER EVENT

MERRELL FUND CHARITY GRANT-FUNDING: LIVE VOTE

4:30 - 5:30pm Friday 21 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

This event highlights the amazing charitable work currently in place to protect and provide a more inclusive experience for the great outdoors. Plus the Merrell Fund will announce the 2026 Charities being awarded grantfunding live at the event through public vote. Free to attend - tickets required

FEATURE FILM

STEPS WITH DEO KATO

Presented by adidas TERREX

5:30 - 6:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In search of home, Ugandan-born runner Deo Kato attempts the impossible, to tell the story of human migration with his feet, running 13,500 kilometres from Cape Town to London.

Tickets £11.50

OUTDOOR FOOTWEAR FOR EVERY ADVENTURE

This year LOWA are on the hunt for new ambassadors to join the team for 2026. With on stand entry challenges and application you could be the next outdoors advocate to be booted up and enjoy the 2026 LOWA outdoor and adventure events.

For more information visit us at Basecamp.

WORKSHOP TRAILBOUND SKETCHES WITH MAX ROMEY

Presented by KEEN

5:30 - 6:30pm Friday 21 November

Abbot Hall Social Centre

In this hands-on, interactive workshop, Max will guide you through the art of storytelling with sketchbooks — blending watercolour, ink, and a spirit of exploration.

Tickets £7.50

SPEAKER EVENT

AN EVENING WITH LEO HOULDING

Presented by Berghaus

5:30 - 7pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Climber and adventurer Leo Houlding shares the story of his family’s remarkable year-long journey around the world. Inspiring, heartwarming, and packed with adrenaline, it’s Leo’s most personal expedition yet.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

FEATURE FILM + Q&A

TRANGO Presented by The North Face

5:45 - 7pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

Renowned skiers Christina Lusti and Jim Morrison, together with their team, embark on the first-ever ski descent of the formidable Great Trango Tower in the Karakoram, Pakistan. Followed by a Q&A with Christina.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 3

6 - 7:30pm Friday 21 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER EVENT

MAKING SPACE: TRANS+ VOICES IN THE OUTDOORS

6 - 7pm Friday 21 November

Abbot Hall Social Centre

A panel of trans+ climbers/outdoor activists discussing how it feels to be trans+, both personally and in the wider outdoor trans+ community.

Free to attend - ticket required

EXTREME RUGGEDNESS

MUSIC FOLK IN THE FELLS

6 - 7pm Friday 21 November

Basecamp - Lowa Lounge

Sit back and enjoy folk music from local musicians.

Free to attend

FILM COLLECTION MOUNTAIN RED

Presented by Deuter

6:30 - 8:15pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p43.

£10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT GROUNDED IN GRIT

Presented by YETI

6:30 - 7:30pm Friday 21 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

This event brings together women whose connection to the outdoors has shaped who they are, to share stories over free seasonal food cooked over flames.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

FEATURE FILM - WORLD PREMIERE THE EDGE OF EXISTENCE

6:30 - 8:15pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

The Edge of Existence captures the incredible and emotional story of Cam Cameron, electronics teacher, devoted father, and husband, as he attempts to survive 60 days on Rockall, the UK’s most remote and dangerous island. After the screening there will be a Q&A with Cam and director Aaron Wheeler.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT HOOKED: FISHING ADVENTURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Presented by YETI and Rigged & Ready Travel Rods

6:30 - 8pm Friday 21 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

We’re thrilled to launch our very first session dedicated to fishing adventures from around the world! Whether you’re a lifelong angler or simply curious about river culture, this unique evening promises to inspire, educate and entertain.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

PARTY CRAGHOPPERS CEILIDH

6:30 - 8:30pm Friday 21 November

The Warehouse at No Hands Rest

An extra special Ceilidh with Craghoppers as they celebrate 60 years of adventure. Expect the liveliest of parties, dancing with old (and newly acquainted) friends, and the joys of a live band!

Tickets £13.50

AWARDS EVENTS

THE BOARDMAN TASKER AWARD FOR MOUNTAIN LITERATURE

Presented by Mountain Equipment

7 - 9pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Spend an evening with us at the world’s most prestigious book award for mountain literature. The evening will feature readings from the shortlisted authors, and they will be in conversation with Helen Mort, author and co-winner of the 2021 Boardman Tasker Award. The judges, Rehan Siddiqui (Chair), Brian Hall and Nandini Purandare have selected seven books for the 2025 Shortlist. Read more on p63.

Tickets £13.50

FEATURE FILM A TOUR DIVIDE ULTRA CYCLING FILM

7 - 8:30pm Friday 21 November

In 2025, Josh Reid was one of 250 competitors in the iconic Tour Divide, a 2,700-mile off-road bikepacking race that takes riders from Southern Canada to the US-Mexico border on mostly elevated dirt trails following the Continental Divide, the crest of the Rocky Mountains.

Tickets £11.50

This is a relaxed screening - the lights will not be fully dimmed, the audio will be slightly quieter, and you will be free to move in and out of this space as you need.

PARTY

VOLKSWAGEN R PERFORMANCE COCKTAIL MIXER

7 - 9:30pm Friday 21 November

Volkswagen R Performance Hub

Enjoy live DJ music, stylish surroundings, and a relaxed vibe. Tickets include a welcome drink.

Tickets £9.50

THE PURSUIT OF LIGHT

Built for years, not seasons.

We guarantee everything we make. We keep your gear in play. We take responsibility for our impact. We support grassroots activism. We give our profits to the planet.

PARTY

LOWA HAPPY HOUR

7:30 - 9:30pm Friday 21 November

Basecamp - Lowa Lounge

LOWA Happy Hour, the place to be on Friday night…

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE UNDERGROUND SESSION

Presented by Petzl

7:30 - 10:30pm Friday 21 November

Kendal Town Hall

Our annual celebration of underground adventure, with the latest and greatest stories. Exploration is the theme as we share a profile of Matienzo developments with Carolina Smith; reveal the latest UK discoveries, especially in the Forest of Dean with Tim Nichols; and bring Northern updates from Frank Pearson, Mark Richardson and Mark Sims. Plus, a very special tale from the Cornish tin mines!

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER EVENT

THE RISK SESSIONS: RED

Presented by Mountain Equipment

7:30 - 8:30pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

Our Risk Sessions bring together climbing psychologist Dr Rebecca Williams with two personalities to discuss their attitudes to risk. Hear from Hamish Frost, photographer, filmmaker and author, best known for hanging off crags in the worst weather conditions imaginable, taking photos of climbers having an equally bad time. Plus, Matt Pycroft, another hugely respected photographer and filmmaker, founder of Coldhouse Collective, and best known for all of the above but with extra jungle insects.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 4

8 - 9:30pm Friday 21 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SOCIAL EVENT

QUEER CONNECTIONS

8 - 10pm Friday 21 November

Elsewhere Bar

SPEAKER EVENT

THE RIGHT TO ROAM SOCIAL

8:30 - 9:45pm Friday 21 November

The Yurt - Presented by YETI

Join the Right to Roam team around the fire. Sing, listen, laugh, and connect, to remember why we love this land and to reimagine our shared place in it.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM - UK PREMIERE GIRL CLIMBER

In partnership with Kendal Pride, this is a safe and welcoming space for the queer community to meet during Kendal Mountain Festival. Free to attend

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

BIKE NIGHT Presented by Five Ten

8 - 10:30pm Friday 21 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

This high-energy evening unites the hottest names in mountain biking with a thrilling line-up of film premieres and stories from the trails. Joining us on stage are freeride star and trailbuilding advocate Olly Wilkins, double Downhill World Champion Danny Hart, and the most successful female downhill racer of all time, Rachel Atherton. Completing our line-up, we are delighted to introduce Colin Varanyak, X-Games gold medalist and BMX legend.

Tickets £20 / u18s £15

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE NORTH FACE FILM SESSION

8:30 - 11pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

The North Face presents three captivating athlete stories: Better Up There with freeride skier Léo Slemett, TALA with ultrarunner

Fernanda Maciel and K2 Chasing Shadows featuring alpinist Benjamin Védrines.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

8:45 - 10:15pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Climber Emily Harrington has summited Everest and Cho Oyu, and dominated the competition circuit but, her greatest challenge extends beyond the physical. To cement her legacy in the male-dominated world of elite rock climbing, she sets her sights on a career-defining 24-hour ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTION

EXPLORE - BLUE Presented by Pertex

8:45 - 10:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Studio Film collection details on p41.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM

ALL THE MOUNTAINS GIVE

9 - 10:30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Due to widespread poverty in the Kurdish cities of Iran, many people earn a living through Kolbari – smuggling household goods over Iran and Iraq’s perilous mountain border. People who do this job are called Kolbar. This is an intimate portrait of Hamid and Yaser, two close friends who are forced into Kolbari.

Tickets £11.50

FEATURE FILM + Q&A - WORLD PREMIERE A THOUSAND

WORDS

Presented by Kailas

9 -10:30pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

From the dusty archives of the Alpine Club to the heart of the Himalayas, filmmakers Matt Sharman and Dom Bush follow in the footsteps of legendary mountaineer and photographer Vittorio Sella – the pioneer who captured the first images of Mount Everest 125 years ago. The team set out for Nepal to find the exact spot where Sella stood in 1899, then recreate the iconic photograph on a large-format camera they’ve never used before. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the directors and Sella authority Roger Härtl.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

PARTY

BERGHAUS PARTY

10:30pm - 1:30am Friday 21 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

Get ready to dance the night away at the Berghaus Party. 18+ only.

Tickets £16.50

PARTY

THE ULTIMATE PARTY

Presented by Merrell & Advanced Rock 10:30pm - 1:30am Friday 21 November

The Warehouse at No Hands Rest

We’re taking over a secret underground space to bring you the biggest party the Festival has ever seen. Legendary DJs Liam Furneaux AKA Advanced Rock & AUX.berwick will ignite the Friday night with a live LED installation, giveaways, and a dancefloor with your name on it! This underground night is part of the Trail Sonified project hosted by Merrell, the UK’s first club night powered by the trail. 18+ only.

Tickets £16.50

SPEAKER EVENT

TRISTAN GOOLEY

THE HIDDEN SEASONS

9 -10am Saturday 22nd November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

In The Hidden Seasons, Tristan Gooley shows us how to read the clues that the sun, moon, stars, plants, fungi, animals, water and weather give us – but that we continually miss, because we don’t know how and where to look.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FILM COLLECTIONS

EXPLORE - BLUE

Presented by Pertex

9 - 10:45am Saturday 22 Novembe

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Film collection details on p41.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

PARENT & BABY

9:15 - 10:45am Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Film collection details on p50.

Tickets £7.50

FEATURE FILM - UK PREMIERE CHAMPIONS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY

9:30 -11am Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

After narrowly missing his chance to become Afghanistan’s first Olympic skier, Alishah Farhang returns to the remote snow-capped mountains of his homeland to inspire a vibrant new ski culture. Bringing together young athletes from rival villages with makeshift wooden skis, he organises a ski race like no other. When their world is suddenly upended, Alishah and the athletes must call upon the lessons learned on the slopes to find their way forward.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTIONS

RUN & HIKE - BLUE

Presented by INOV8

9:30 - 11:15am Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p47.

BIKE - RED Presented by Tailfin

9:30 - 11:15am Saturday 22nd November

Brewery Arts Screen 2

Film collection details on p39.

WATER Presented by KEEN

9:30 - 11:15am Saturday 22nd November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on p49.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE CLIMB SESSION

Presented by La Sportiva

9:30 - 11:30am Saturday 22 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

This year our Climb Session theme is Trailblazers; people who have brought groundbreaking change to climbing, moving the dial to such an extent that it changes people’s perception of what is possible. And who better to headline our session than Lynn Hill, famed for making the first free ascent of The Nose on El Capitan, and repeating it the following year inside 24 hours. Lynn will join us on stage with further trailblazers Caro Ciavaldini – the second woman to climb E10 (Le Voyage), Anak Verhoeven – one of the first women to climb a sport route graded 9B, Jesse Dufton – famed for his “non-sight” ascents up to E3, and Hamish McArthur, part of Team GB at the second ever climbingfeatured Olympic Games.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE WILDLIFE SESSION

Presented by OM SYSTEM

9:30 - 11am Saturday 22 November

Kendal Town Hall

The Wildlife Session returns with an incredible line-up of top activists, presenters and filmmakers. This year we welcome two of the UK’s most loved wildlife filmmakers and presenters: Gordon Buchanan, renowned for his daring journeys into the planet’s wildest corners and tireless conservation work, and Lizzie Daly, scientist and explorer, celebrated for her storytelling mastery and adventurous spirit. We’ll also take an exclusive look behind the scenes of David Attenborough’s spectacular BBC series, ASIA . Joining us will be Sara Douglas, Producer, and Liv Grant, Researcher at the BBC Natural History Unit, who will reveal untold stories and footage from a standout episode.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

DISASTER STYLE PARENTING WITH ZOE HART AND FAMILY

Presented by Patagonia

9:45 - 10:45am Saturday 22 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

Join mountain guide Zoe Hart on stage with her sons, Mathias and Mika, as they share tales of wild adventures, and what it means to spend a life outdoors with your family.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

AWARDS EVENT HEAD OUTSIDE AWARDS

9:45 - 10:45am Saturday 22 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

We’re gathering to honour the individuals and organisations who use the outdoors to transform mental health.

Free to attend - tickets required

SPEAKER EVENT

ANJANA KHATWA WHISPERS OF ROCK

11am - 12pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

SATURDAY EVENTS

SPEAKER EVENT

DAD-VENTURES NEAR & FAR WITH LEO HOULDING & HENRY BRYDEN Presented by YETI

11:30 - 12:30pm Saturday 22 November

Anjana Khatwa – celebrated earth scientist and storyteller of the land – has spent her life tracing the deep memory of rocks. In language as rich as the earth itself, she unveils how rock has been shaped by the slow hand of time –and how, in turn, it has shaped us.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE THRU-HIKING SESSION

Presented by Danner

11:30am - 1pm Saturday 22 November

The Venue - The Barrel House

This session invites you to dive into the world of long-distance hiking with those who’ve lived every blister, sunrise, and moment of trail magic. We’ll be joined by bored office-worker turned “Mountain Man”, James Forrest; Pacific Crest Trail hiker Alex Renfrew; UK-based Mountain Leader and adventure-guide Janire DennyArzalluz, who has recently turned her gaze toward thru-hiking; and Fredi Chohan, who took on the legendary Pennine Way aged 54.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FILM COLLECTIONS

PARENT AND BABY

11:30 - 1pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Film collection details on p50.

Tickets £7.50

MOUNTAIN - RED Presented by deuter

11:30 - 1pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Film collection details on p43.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

The Yurt - presented by YETI

From backyard explorations and local woodland walks to epic climbs, Leo Houlding and Henry Bryden show that adventure isn’t just for the pros – it’s for every parent, every weekend. Kids will have the chance to join the conversation, asking the questions that matter most, whilst getting their own YETI bottle to personalise with a set of custom session stickers.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £5

FILM COLLECTIONS

CLIMB - RED Presented by Jöttnar

11:45 - 1:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

Film collection details on p40.

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

Presented by Buffalo Systems

11:45 - 1:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p44.

PEOPLE & PLACE

Presented by Buffalo Systems

11:45 - 1:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p45.

HIDDEN GEMS Presented by KEEN

11:45 - 1:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on p42.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE OUTDOOR SWIMMING

SESSION Presented by dryrobe

12:30 - 2:30pm Saturday 22 November

Kendal Town Hall

Ella Foote returns to hosts this celebration of swimming outdoors. See the premiere of Swim Sistas, which tells the stories of four Black British women and girls who are finding freedom, healing, and community in the water – Alice Dearing, Roni Bruno, Jasmine Boatswain and Lexie Sandiford, and filmmaker Cat White will be joining for a Q&A. Plus we’ll hear from competitive masters swimmer Nick Parkes who returned to racing after a cardiac arrest in the water, and Ceri Smith who marked her 50th birthday by swimming across Windermere with 49 other swimmers… at midnight!

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER EVENT

GORDON BUCHANAN IN THE HIDE

1 - 2pm Saturday 22 November Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Gordon Buchanan is probably the best-known natural history cameraman the BBC has ever produced. From wild snow wolf packs in Ellesmere and polar bears in Svalbard to leopards in Mumbai and equine therapy in Mongolia, he has filmed in the world’s most far-reaching places for over 30 years. But dangerous animals were not the only thing he was hiding from. In the Hide is Gordon’s candid and deeply personal story of a challenging childhood in Dumbarton and on Mull, and how nature became both his refuge and his release.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER EVENT

EVEREST THE HARD WAY

Presented by Berghaus

1 - 2:30pm Saturday 22 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the expedition that put the first British climbers on the summit of Everest. Led and masterminded by Sir Chris Bonington, the team saw Doug Scott and Dougal Haston reach the top, though tragically Mick Burke was lost. The experience was immortalised in Bonington’s book Everest

The Hard Way, and in this special event chaired by Julie Summers, Sir Chris, Tut Braithwaite, Mike Thompson, Martin Boysen, Arthur Chesterman, and Rosie Scott-Ward (daughter of Doug Scott) will reflect on the challenges and legacy of that remarkable expedition. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will support Community Action Nepal.

Tickets £20 / u18s £15

SPEAKER EVENT

JULIAN HOFFMAN LIFELINES

1:15 - 2:15pm Saturday 22 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI Lifelines is Julian Hoffman’s luminous account of an extraordinary journey – from the crowded streets and long commutes of city life to the quiet, untamed beauty of Prespa, Greece, a place where three countries meet around twin lakes framed by stone villages, snow-capped peaks, and wild, unbounded nature. A book for anyone who has ever dreamed of starting anew, Lifelines invites you to step into a landscape where the human story and the wild are inseparable.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FEATURE FILM IRON WINTER

1:30 - 3pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In Mongolia’s remote Tsakhir Valley, Batbold faces the greatest challenge of his life: safeguarding 1,000 horses during the deadliest winter on record. With the future of his community at stake, Batbold must choose between upholding the values that define his culture, or abandon them for the lure of life in the city.

Tickets £11.50

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT WINNER GETS CAKE

Presented by SportsShoes & Rab

1:30 - 2:15pm Saturday 22 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

“Brakes off, brains off.” Experience the chaos, culture, community and cake that defines the very British pursuit of fell running. A portrait of physical endurance, community spirit, and unassuming triumph.

£7.50 / u18s £6

SPEAKER EVENT

THE SLOW ADVENTURE SESSION

Presented by Fjallraven

1:45 - 3:15pm Saturday 22 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

Leading experts in this growing movement of slow adventure share the joys of taking your time in the outdoors and the surprising lessons it brings. Hear from Mac Macartney – the founder of Embercombe in Devon, a place of land-based learning aimed at regenerating both human lives and Earth systems; Lucy Valentine who is navigating the gradual loss of her sight while holding onto her love for the outdoors and mother, bushcraft practitioner and cultural thinker Lisa Fenton.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

At Klean Kanteen, we’re helping people kick the single-use habit one Klean at a time. We create sustainable, reusable alternatives to single-use plastic. Our love of adventures means we make lightweight, durable products for all your travels – so you’re free to explore and leave no trace.

FILM COLLECTIONS

RISE UP Presented by Buffalo Systems

2 - 3:45pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p46.

SNOW - BLUE Presented by Ortovox

2 - 3:45pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p48.

CLIMB - BLUE Presented by Jöttnar

2 - 3:45pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Film collection details on p40.

HUMAN SPIRIT Presented by Pertex

2 - 3:45pm Saturday 22 November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on p42.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 5

2 - 3:30pm Saturday 22 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER EVENT

INK DEEP: IN LANDSCAPE

2 - 3pm Saturday 22 November

The Barrel House

Step into a landscape of words – an hour shaped by poetry, place, and presence. Ink Deep will bring together voices to explore the many dimensions of landscape through poetry.

Tickets £5 / u18s free

SPEAKER EVENT

JOYCELYN LONGDON

NATURAL CONNECTION

3 - 4pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Award-winning environmental justice researcher and educator Joycelyn Longdon explores how indigenous wisdom and marginalised communities are reshaping the future of environmental action.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s

£7.50

PARTY

FAMILY FRIENDLY SILENT DISCO

Presented by Osprey

3:30 - 4:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Warehouse at No Hands Rest

Pop on your glowing headphones, pick your channel, and share some unforgettable memories on the dance floor.

Tickets £10 / u18s £5

Please note: This is a family event for children age 3+ and their parents/guardians. Adults (18+) should only attend if accompanying a child (u16).

SPEAKER EVENT

ORLANDO VON EINSIEDEL

Presented by Db

3 - 4pm Saturday 22 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

One of the documentary world’s most influential storytellers joins us for a Creative Exchange conversation. Over the last ten years, films such as Virunga and The White Helmets have set a new standard in documentary storytelling. In this session, Orlando discusses his life, career and creative inspirations.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s

£7.50

FEATURE FILM CLIMBING INTO LIFE

3:30 - 4:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite. Never an athlete, she excelled in languages, art, music and other intellectual pursuits, but in her 60s she began climbing out of curiosity; her son, Alex Honnold, seemed to be having too much fun. Dierdre’s story proves that we are never too old to try something new.

£11.50

This is a relaxed screening - the lights will not be fully dimmed, the audio will be slightly quieter, and you will be free to move in and out of this space as you need.

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

CHINA REVEALED: GREAT NEW ADVENTURES

4 - 5:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

An celebration of the untamed spirit of China’s outdoors! Hear from Lu (Amanda) Licheng, founder of Kendal China, wilderness explorer and travel photographer; He (River) Chuan, one of China’s leading rock climbers and alpinists; and filmmaker Chris Prescott presents his new climbing film shot across China’s most dramatic geological landscapes.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM EVENT

BEAUTIFULLY BRUTAL

Presented by SheUltra & SportsShoes

4 - 4:45pm Saturday 22 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

SheUltra is the world’s biggest all-women ultra marathon. This film captures the power of community, the resilience of women, and the beautifully brutal truth behind every step. Free to attend - tickets required

MT500 collection. All-weather gear. For whatever's hurled your way.

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE RUNNING SESSION

Presented by adidas TERREX

4 - 6pm Saturday 22 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

A celebration of running and community with speakers from the worlds of fell, mountain, trail and road hosted by Sabrina Pace-Humphreys and Dan Duxbury. Hear from Cape Town to London runner Deo Kato, elite mountain runner Scout Adkin, runners from local 261 Fearless clubs, Helm Hill Runners parents and juniors on their experiences in the two-day Saunders Mountain Marathon, academic and ultra runner Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries shares the Run, Walk, Welcome Project, and the Sanctuary Runners – a group formed to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and local residents through running – share the film

Solidarity In Motion

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE HUMAN POWERED SESSION

Presented by Patagonia

4 - 5.30pm Saturday 22 November

Kendal Town Hall

Stories from the forefront of sport and activism – expect misadventure, introspection, and lively debate on what it really means to ‘win’ when it comes to Human Powered adventures. Hosted by Colour Up Climbing Community founder Carlos Casas, and ocean activist Cal Major, who will be joined by Nicholas Wolken, psychologist, activist, and seeker of the perfect line; Robbie Phillips, prolific first ascensionist, coach, and Patagonia Climb Ambassador; and Lesley McKenna, three-time Olympian, guide, and researcher of ethics in high-performance sport.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FEATURE FILM + Q&A THE LONELIEST RACE

4:15 - 6pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Sailing around the world, alone, non-stop, without any technology, The Loneliest Race is an intimate documentary that delves into the emotional and physical trials of underdog sailors in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. After the screening there will be a Q&A with sailor Ian Herbert-Jones.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTION

RIDE & FLOW Presented by KEEN

4:15 - 6pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p46.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT SOPHY ROBERTS A TRAINING SCHOOL FOR ELEPHANTS

4:30 - 5:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Sophy embarks on an extraordinary voyage across continents, following the unlikely journey of four 19th-century elephants at the heart of a forgotten colonial expedition.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT BRITROCK AT KENDAL

4:30 - 6:15pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

One of the first chances to see this year’s new BritRock releases. Featuring special guests from the films on stage, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and big moments.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER EVENT THE RISK SESSIONS: BLUE

Presented by Mountain Equipment

4:30 - 5:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Box - Kendal College

Our Risk Sessions bring together climbing psychologist Dr Rebecca Williams with two personalities to discuss their attitudes to risk.

Hear from Caro Ciavaldini, former climbing world cup competitor, bold trad climber and accomplished all-rounder; and Rachel Atherton, multiple World Champion and World Cup downhill mountain bike winner, and co-founder of Atherton Bikes.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT EMILY ZOBEL MARSHALL OTHER WILD

4:45 - 5:45pm Saturday 22 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

In this remarkable poetry collection, readers are invited into the lives of unruly women and untamed creatures who resist prescribed paths, moving instead through the boundary-crossing wilds of both land and heart. These poems listen to the natural world – through immersion, attention and wonder.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FEATURE FILM

A TOUR DIVIDE ULTRA CYCLING FILM

5 - 6:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In 2025, Josh Reid was one of 250 competitors in the iconic Tour Divide, a 2,700-mile off-road bikepacking race that takes riders from Southern Canada to the US-Mexico border on mostly elevated dirt trails following the Continental Divide, the crest of the Rocky Mountains.

Tickets £11.50

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT LOOKING FOR THE BAD TIMES

Presented by SportsShoes & Salomon

5:15 - 6pm Saturday 22 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes Ultrarunner Holly Stables takes on The Speed Project, a solo 300+ mile run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. There will be a live Q&A following the screening.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 6

6 - 7:30pm Saturday 22 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER EVENT ED JACKSON FROM THE MOUNTAIN’S EDGE

Presented by Berghaus

6:15 - 7:15pm Saturday 22 November Brewery Arts - Malt Room

After a life-changing neck injury left him paralysed, Ed Jackson defied the odds to walk again. Determined to push his limits, he set out to climb Nepal’s 7,126-metre Himlung Himal –only to find the adventure turning into a fight for survival.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER & MUSIC EVENT FISHTAILS & FOLKTUNES

Presented by YETI

6:30 - 7:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

Colin Macleod returns with tales from his life as a fishing guide, singer-songwriter and surfer in the remote hebrides.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

FEATURE FILM THE LAST EXPEDITION

6:30 - 8pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

AWARDS EVENT

THE 2025 KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL FILM AWARDS

6:30 - 8pm Saturday 22 November

The Venue - The Barrel House

Filmmaker and mountaineer Eliza Kubarska goes in search of Wanda Rutkiewicz, who disappeared in the Himalayas 30 years ago. Eliza follows in the footsteps of Wanda’s last expedition from Nepal to Tibet over the highest peaks to Kanchenjunga to find out what really happened.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM & SPEAKER EVENT - FILM PREMIERE THE BELLS FEAT. ROB MATHESON & FRIENDS

Presented by Pertex & DMM

6:30 - 7:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Box - Kendal College

The film everybody is waiting for! Lakes legend Rob Matheson climbs The Bells, The Bells! graded E7, at age 74.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

OUR SHOT: OLI DENTON

Presented by SportsShoes & Salomon

6:30 - 7:15pm Saturday 22 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

Photographer Oli Denton presents “Our Shot”, the first showing of the upcoming Salomon TV film where we take you behind the scenes of the all women content team during UTMB.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

FILM COLLECTION MOUNTAIN - BLUE

Presented by deuter

6:30 - 8:15pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p43.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

Join us for the announcement of our 2025 International Film Competition winners! Our esteemed Jury will reveal their decisions for the 12 Prizes. This is the moment the filmmakers have been waiting for…

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

PARTY

CRAGHOPPERS CEILIDH

6:30 - 8:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Warehouse at No Hands Rest

An extra special Ceilidh with Craghoppers as they celebrate 60 years of adventure. Expect the liveliest of parties, dancing with old (and newly acquainted) friends, and the joys of a live band!

Tickets £13.50

FEATURE FILM - UK PREMIERE GIRL CLIMBER

7 - 8:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Professional climber Emily Harrington has summited Everest and Cho Oyu, and dominated the competition circuit but, her greatest challenge extends beyond the physical. To cement her legacy in the maledominated world of elite rock climbing, she sets her sights on a career-defining 24-hour ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan.

Tickets £11.50

This is a relaxed screening - the lights will not be fully dimmed, the audio will be slightly quieter, and you will be free to move in and out of this space as you need.

We’re here to spark your next adventure. Whether it’s the hills, the campsite or somewhere further off the map.

In partnership with Exodus Adventure Travels, we’re giving away two travel vouchers worth £1,500 and £750. Where to? That’s up to you. Win a £1,500 or £750 Travel Voucher* Enter on our stand at basecamp

Whilst you’re there, try on a pack, explore our repair stories, or let the kids join our colouring competition.

PARTY

SILENT DISCO Presented by Goodrays

7:30 - 9:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Teepee at Basecamp

The Silent Disco is back! Don our headphones and get into your groove. All ages welcome.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT WOMEN IN ADVENTURE

SESSION Presented by Arc’teryx

7:30 - 9:30pm Saturday 22 November

Kendal Town Hall

An unforgettable evening of stories from remarkable women who’ve blazed their own trails in the great outdoors. Host, international journalist and author Louise Minchin, will be joined by photographer Angela Percival, climber Alannah Yip, mountain runner and skier Elise Poncet, endurance athlete Vedangi Kulkarni, and professional freeskiier Tonje Kvivik.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT SNOW NIGHT

Presented by The North Face & Ellis Brigham 8 - 10:30pm Saturday 22 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

Kick off the winter season in true style! This year’s Snow Night will be hosted by British Olympic ski racing legend and Ski Sunday co-presenter Chemmy Alcott and snowsports aficionado Tim Warwood. On stage, we’ll welcome The North Face athletes, Léo Slemett, Freeride World Champion; and Arianna Tricomi, one of the most decorated freeriders in history with three Freeride World Tour titles to her name. Plus, an electrifying mix of film premieres and and inspiring speakers from across the ski and snowboarding community.

Tickets £20 / u18s £15

PARTY THE SALOMON X SPORTSSHOES GATHERING

8 - 9:30pm Saturday 22 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

Celebrate, connect, and soak up the energy of a community brought together by adventure, endurance, and the spirit of trail running. Your ticket includes a welcome drink. 18+ only.

Tickets £9.50

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 7

8:00 - 9:30pm Saturday 22 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

PARTY THE FEATHERS PUB QUIZ

Presented by Rab

8:15 - 9:45pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Meet us at ‘The Feathers’ for a mountainthemed pub quiz, hosted by celebrated mountaineer and Rab athlete Andy Cave.

Tickets £13.50

FEATURE FILM DEEPER

8:30 - 10pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Having achieved worldwide acclaim for his crucial role in the death-defying rescue of a young Thai soccer team, Richard “Harry” Harris embarks on a perilous new cave diving expedition that will push the limits of adventure and force him to confront his deepest fears.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

MUSIC EVENT

MUSIC ON NATURE: THE ELEMENTS

8:30 - 10:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

A spellbinding evening of musical collaborations exploring the elements – Air, Water, Earth and Fire – through music, prose and poetry. Our Nature Ensemble includes singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hayden Thorpe, clarinettist and composer Jack McNeill, double bass player Marianne Schofield and percussionist Fabian Prynn. In Air, Sarah Hall will perform an exhilarating piece on Helm – the only named wind in the UK. In Water, Robert Macfarlane shares ideas from his latest book Is A River Alive? In Earth, we have environmentalist and writer Joycelyn Longdon, and actor and writer Daniel Grimston turns the flickering Fire into song.

Tickets £25

SPEAKER EVENT

THE NEW “FACE” OF ALPINISM LOCAL CHALLENGES, LOCAL

ADVENTURE Presented by Mammut

8:30 - 10pm Saturday 22 November

The Box - Kendal College

The climate crisis is reshaping how we climb and the landscapes we depend on. Join alpinist and climate advocate Graham Zimmerman and Swiss rising star Filippo Sala. With added expertise from Sam Sykes of the Mammut Mountain School and Chamonix guide Polly Harmer, this session promises gripping first-hand stories, environmental insight and practical lessons for the future of alpinism.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FILM COLLECTION

BIKE - BLUE Presented by Tailfin

8:45 - 10:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p39.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FEATURE FILM CATCHING PINECONES

9 - 10:30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Catching Pinecones is the story of Jan and Herb Conn, pioneering rock climbers and cave explorers who lived life to the fullest on their own terms. Rejecting a conventional lifestyle in pursuit of adventure and fun, the Conns’ story reveals a legacy of renowned discoveries and their philosophies for a simple, well-lived life.

Tickets £11.50

PARTY

THE ARC’TERYX AFTER PARTY

10:30pm - 1:30am Saturday 22 November

The Venue at The Barrel House

Join us for a night where music, connection, and the spirit of the outdoors meet. 18+ only.

Tickets £16.50

PARTY

RAB WAREHOUSE PARTY

10:30pm - 1:30am Saturday 22 November

The Warehouse at No Hands Rest

The afterparty – lock in for a live one at an exclusive new venue. 18+ only.

Tickets £16.50

FEATURE FILM – UK PREMIERE SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS

9:30 - 11:15am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

The inspiring story of an unlikely yet powerful friendship between two Indigenous women in one of the most isolated corners of the Himalayas. The film follows local snow leopard conservationist Tshiring Lhauma Lama as she mentors 17-year-old Tenzin Bhuti Gurung, who is desperate to escape a forced marriage. Together, they journey through the treacherous yet breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas in search of the last remaining endangered snow leopards.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

FILM COLLECTIONS

EXPLORE - RED

9:30 - 11:15am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen Two Film collection details on p41.

OUTSIDE ARTISTS

9:30 - 11:15am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Studio Film collection details on p44.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT THE WILD ONES BEHIND THE SCENES

Presented by RED Digital Cinema

9:30 - 11am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

We are thrilled to present a special, behind the scene event featuring the team from the hit Apple TV series. Featuring Aldo Kane, Vianet Djeguet and Declan Burley, alongside series producer Susanna Handslip. Audiences will enjoy a live interview, exclusive footage, and behind-the-scenes insights from this extraordinary series.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FILM COLLECTION

FAMILY ADVENTURE FILMSPresented by Inghams

9:30 - 10:45am Sunday 23 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

These films celebrate the joy of discovery –from bug hunts and snowy slopes to mountain climbs and make-believe worlds. Made for families and young explorers alike. They remind us that wonder can be found anywhere, from the backyard to the big wall.

Free to attend - tickets required

CALM IN THE STORM

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT THE PETZL BRUNCH

9:30 - 11am Sunday 23 November

Kendal Town Hall

A wake-up call after Saturday night excess, the Brunch brings its usual mix of tall tales, short films, games, and general rowdiness, with Mr Niall Grimes as ringmaster.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER AND FILM EVENT BREAKING TRAILS WITHOUT BREAKING BONES

Presented by The GORE-TEX® Brand

9:30 - 10:30am Sunday 23 November

The Box - Kendal College

How do you balance ambition with safety in the mountains? This compelling session, brought to us by The Gore-Tex Brand, brings together two extraordinary athletes who face risk in radially different ways. Jesse Dufton, a blind climber redefining what’s possible on rock and ice, joins Maud Vanpoulle, a mountaineer with a PhD in mountain risk management.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FEATURE FILM ALL THE MOUNTAINS GIVE

9:45 - 11:15am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

SPEAKER EVENT

EMMA SIMPSON BREAKING WAVES

10 - 11am Sunday 23 November

Due to widespread poverty in the Kurdish cities of Iran, many people earn a living by smuggling household goods over Iran and Iraq’s perilous mountain border. This form of smuggling is called Kolbari and the people who do this job are called Kolbar. This is an intimate portrait of Hamid and Yaser, two close friends who are forced into Kolbari.

Tickets £11.50

WORKSHOP RUN, WALK, WELCOME

10am - 12pm Sunday 23 November

Abbot Hall Social Centre

This collaborative project aims to change hostile narratives on migration and create a more inclusive society by bringing runners, walkers and people with experiences of migration together while enjoying the outdoors. Join project lead Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries for this interactive workshop, where we will discuss how we can work together to challenge and change hostile narratives and we will go for a walk.

Free to attend - ticket required

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Breaking Waves is a love letter to womanhood and the open water. It is also a celebration of community, renewal, and the power of writing your own life story. Above all else, it is a joyous celebration of going with the flow.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER EVENT

ADAM WEYMOUTH LONE WOLF

10 - 11am Sunday 23 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

From the winner of the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award comes an epic walk across the Alps in the footsteps of a wolf, throwing unique light on Europe’s mountainous hinterlands at a moment of political and environmental change.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

ONE UNIFORM. 40 YEARS OF TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE. TRIED AND TESTED BY ATHLETES PUSHING THE

SPEAKER EVENT

NOT JUST THE CATCH: A CATCH UP WITH THE CAPTAINS OF “WE ARE BLACKFISH”

Presented by YETI

10 - 11am Sunday 23 November

The Yurt - presented by YETI

Step into the world of We Are Blackfish – a boundary-pushing crew centering Black, queer joy in fishing. Join the captains as they share unfiltered stories, challenge conventions, and reveal how they’re redefining the spirit of the sea.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

SPEAKER EVENT

THE RISK SESSIONS: GREEN

Presented by Mountain Equipment

11am - 12pm Sunday 23 November

The Box - Kendal College

Our Risk Sessions bring together climbing psychologist Dr Rebecca Williams with two personalities to discuss their attitudes to risk. Guests for this event are Andy Parkin, legendary alpinist and Chamonix-based artist; and Graham Zimmerman, Piolet d’Or winning mountaineer, filmmaker, author and climate advocate. Both renowned for bold ascents in remote locations.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT A JOURNEY OF MUSIC & THE OUTDOORS WITH BRIAN CANNON

Presented by Haglöfs and SportShoes

11:30 - 12:15pm Sunday 23 November

The Hub - presented by SportShoes

Listen to the fascinating journey and love for the outdoors of renowned artist, graphic designer and Lake District local Brian Cannon. The man Noel Gallagher himself once described as being the sixth member of Oasis.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT RETRO: THE ART OF WALKING BACKWARDS

11:45 - 12:45pm Sunday 23 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

Mountaineer, filmmaker and Kendal Mountain Festival co-founder Brian Hall became curious after discovering that a friend had helped break a world record in 1976, by walking backwards 80 miles from Leeds to Kendal in 24 hours. Investigation revealed a history of retro walking that stretched back over two centuries.

£9.50 / u18s £7.50

FEATURE FILM SADPARA

11:45 - 12:45pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Iconic big mountains are most often associated with big expeditions, big objectives and big dreams. But what about those whose lives are inseparably intertwined with them?

Sadpara is a journey through the heart of Pakistan’s mountains that explores the bond that unites its people with the high lands.

Tickets £11.50

FILM COLLECTION BEST OF KENDAL: ACCESSIBLE SCREENING

11:45 - 1:30pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Adventure belongs to everyone. This specially curated selection featuring the very best of the 2025 Kendal films, are presented with Closed Captions (CC) and Audio Description (AD), to celebrate connection, resilience, and inclusion in the outdoors.

Film collection details on p38.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MONISHA RAJESH MOONLIGHT EXPRESS

11:45 - 12:45pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

All aboard for an unforgettable series of train rides – with one extraordinary storyteller. Award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh takes us on a lyrical, laughter-filled journey through her latest book, Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train – a beautifully observed account of navigating the globe after dark.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FILM COLLECTION

SNOW - RED Presented by Ortovox

11:45 - 1:30pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p48.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT THE OCEAN & SEAS SESSION

Presented by Finisterre

12 - 2pm Sunday 23 November

Kendal Town Hall

Dive into stories from cold-water line-ups and far-flung coastlines with filmmakers, photographers and ocean advocates. Hear from Colin Butfield – director/executive producer behind Ocean with David Attenborough; filmmaker/photographer Luke Pilbeam; surf/adventure photographer James Bowden; Ireland-based surfer and Finisterre ambassador Noah Lane; and Alice Ward –Irish cold-water filmmaker and photographer, and a leading voice on women’s surfing and filmmaking.

Tickets £13.50 / £10 u18s

FEATURE FILM + Q&A K2 MON AMOUR

12:15 - 1:30pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

In summer 2024, Liv Sansoz and Zéb Roche set out to summit K2, 8611m, without oxygen with a crazy dream: to fly off the summit together on a paraglider. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Liv and Zéb.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT THE ENDURANCE SESSION

Presented by Garmin

12:30 - 2:30pm Sunday 23 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

Steered once again by Andy Berry and Renee McGregor, we’ll be hearing from this incredible line up of mountaineers, ultrarunners, thru hikers, extreme triathletes and record breakers. We’re delighted to welcome this years UTMB winner Tom Evans; mountaineer Helen Rennard who set a new winter record of the 282 Munros in 80 days 9.5 hours; 17 year old Markus Skeet who found running helped him with his mental health and this summer became the youngest person to run from Lands End to John O’Groats raising over £164k for Mind Charity; extreme triathlete Mitch Hutchcraft who swam the English Channel, cycled from France to India, trekked from the Indian coast to Kathmandu, and climbed 350km from Kathmandu to the Everest summit; thru-hikers Prashant Madan and Aanchal Dhara who set out to hike the 2000km ‘Via Alpina’ across the European Alps; and endurance athlete and local legend Shelly Rothwell.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER EVENT

PRIDE IN WORKING IN THE OUTDOORS: LGBTQIA+ OPPORTUNITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUALITY IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY

12:30 Sunday 23 November

Abbot Hall Social Centre

This panel will explore what it means to live and work authentically in the outdoors as part of the LGBTQIA+ community – celebrating progress, discussing barriers, and sharing personal experiences that highlight the joy of belonging in nature.

Free to attend - ticket required

FEATURE FILM OUR LAND

12:30 - 2:15pm Sunday 23 November

The Box - Kendal College

Through organised ‘mass trespass’ events, the Right to Roam movement sets out to increase public access to nature, but finds itself in conflict with England’s landowners. Our Land juxtaposes the two sides of the debate around our access to nature, giving voice to the different perspectives. After the film screening there will be a Q&A featuring members of the Right To Roam movement, Nadia Shaikh and Jon Moses.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

EVEREST EXHAUSTED

12:45 - 2pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Everest – supreme summit or sacrificial mountain? Its journey from ultimate prize to commercial entity has been chronicled over the years since its first ascent in 1953, yet it still retains its aura. Has Everest been reduced to a tick on an influencers blog? Or do mountaineers still see it as a worthy objective? Should we be using the name Everest at all, or is it Sagarmatha or Chomolungma? What about sherpa welfare? What does the future look like for Everest? We’ve drawn together a panel of experts – Kenton Cool, one of Britain’s leading high-altitude climbers and guides; Pete Brittleton co-owner of Impact Ascents, an environmentally conscious expedition company; editor of the Himalayan Journal and President of the Himalayan Club Nandini Purandare; and Lukas Furtenbach, of Furtenbach Adventures, an expedition company employing the latest innovations – in a debate chaired by Keme Nzerem to discuss these issues.

Tickets £16.50 / u18s £12

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

DEO KATO: STEPS

Presented by adidas TERREX

1 - 2pm Sunday 23 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

In search of home, Ugandan-born runner Deo Kato attempts the impossible, to tell the story of human migration with his feet, running 13,500 kilometres from Cape Town to London. This documentary follows his remarkable journey and quest for change. This will be followed by a Q&A with Deo.

Tickets £7.50 / u18s £6

SUNDAY EVENTS

FEATURE FILM A TOUR DIVIDE ULTRA CYCLING FILM

1:15 - 2:45pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In 2025, Josh Reid was one of 250 competitors in the iconic Tour Divide, a 2,700-mile off-road bikepacking race that takes riders from Southern Canada to the US-Mexico border on mostly elevated dirt trails following the Continental Divide, the crest of the Rocky Mountains.

Tickets £11.50

SPEAKER EVENT SOPHIE PAVELLE TO HAVE OR TO HOLD

1:30 - 2:30pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

Award-winning author Sophie Pavelle explores eight remarkable symbiotic relationships, from tidal pools to rainforests, revealing the bonds that hold nature together. Witty, urgent, and surprising, To Have or To Hold asks: in our relationship with the natural world, are we partners – or parasites?

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER EVENT JENN ASHWORTH THE PARALLEL PATH

1:30 - 2:30pm Sunday 23 November

The Yurt - Presented by YETI Novelist Jenn Ashworth’s Coast to Coast trek becomes a gripping tale of endurance, friendship, and self-discovery – when a heatwave, failing balance, and a life-changing diagnosis turns a walk into a reckoning.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

SPEAKER & FILM EVENT

THE BIKE PACKING SESSION

Presented by komoot & Tailfin

1:30 - 3pm Sunday 23 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

This inspiring evening blends film and live storytelling to showcase the creativity, resilience and freedom of exploring the world by bike. Hear from Vedangi Kulkarni, who recently finished her second round-the-world circumnavigation; Erwin Sikkens joins with his breathtaking ultra-endurance rides; Manu Cattryse, his partner Katrien De Smet, and their children, will be sharing their family bikepacking adventures around Scotland; and Rach Coleman from Trash Free Trails brings an inspiring perspective on riding with purpose.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

FILM COLLECTIONS

PADDLE

2 - 3:45pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Film collection details on p45.

WATER

2 - 3:45pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

Film collection details on p49.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

MONTANE SECRET SESSION 8

2 - 3:30pm Sunday 23 November

One-of-a-kind events hosted in secret venues, featuring some very special guests.

Tickets £10.50

SPEAKER SESSION LISTENING TO FEAR –CONVERSATIONAL SPACE

2:15pm Sunday 23 November

Abbot Hall Social Centre

We’re programmed to feel fear to help keep us safe, whether in the outdoors, our day-to-day lives or otherwise. But how do we respond to threats to our physical or psychological wellbeing on and off the mountain? This is a conversational space to explore how we decipher fear and our responses to it, hosted and moderated by mountaineers Samantha Jagger and Hannah Mitchell, who have recently returned from an expedition to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan.

Content warning: sexual assault

Free to attend - ticket required

SPEAKER EVENT

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN RUN WITH LOUIS ALEXANDER

Presented by SportsShoes

2:30 - 3:30pm Sunday 23 November

The Hub - presented by SportsShoes

Louis Alexander is one of the youngest professional adventurers in the world. Join the Guinness World Record holder to learn about his latest achievement – becoming the first person in history to run eight consecutive marathons across all eight Australian capital cities.

Free to attend - ticket required

FILM COLLECTION

RUN & HIKE RED Presented by INOV8

2:45 - 4:30pm Sunday 23 November

The Box - Kendal College

Film collection details on p47.

Tickets £10.50 / u18s £8

SPEAKER EVENT

SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

Presented by the Alpine Club

2:45 - 4:15pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Hear from the explorers, climbers and pioneering researchers who head to the mountains in search of unclimbed peaks, untrodden landscapes and new scientific knowledge. This year we’ll be joined on stage by veteran (but persistent) alpinists Mick Fowler and Victor Saunders who will talk about their attempt to make the first ascent of Point 6010m in a very remote area of Western Nepal. Benjamin Toole, Dylan Coker, Rosie Aldridge and Megan Cumming from Stirling University journeyed to Eastern Greenland where they climbed multiple new routes. Sonam Rinzin and Rachel Carr from Newcastle University give an update on research on Glacier Lake Outburst from the Lunana valley in Bhutan; and Peter Thompson describes recent efforts on Khurdopin Sar, Pakistan.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER EVENT

THE GREAT MIXED CLIMBS OF SCOTLAND WITH GUY ROBERTSON & HAMISH FROST

Presented by Rab 3 - 4:30pm Sunday 23 November

Kendal Town Hall

A new book celebrating Scotland’s unique winter climbing is being launched, a paean to the full-on experience of ascending rock, ice, snow, and rime in the most magnificent situations and locations. Hosted by Deziree Wilson and Rob Lovell from Scottish Mountaineering Press, we bring together the book’s authors Guy Robertson and Hamish Frost with legend Dave ‘Cubby’ Cuthbertson to talk about the history, ethics, and appeal of mixed climbing in Scotland.

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SPEAKER EVENT

KATE HUMBLE WILDERNESS TRACKS

3:15 - 4:15pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts -Malt Room

In this special edition, presented by BBC Radio 4’s Geoff Bird, we welcome to the stage, broadcaster and presenter Kate Humble. Kate will chat to Geoff about six pieces of music that somehow connect her to nature. A wonderful hour of music and conversation.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

FEATURE FILM - EUROPEAN PREMIERE CATCHING PINECONES

3:15 - 4:30pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Catching Pinecones is the story of Jan and Herb Conn, pioneering rock climbers and cave explorers who lived life to the fullest on their own terms. Rejecting a conventional lifestyle in pursuit of adventure and fun, the Conns’ story reveals a legacy of renowned discoveries and their philosophies for a simple, well-lived life.

Tickets £11.50

This is a relaxed screening - the lights will not be fully dimmed, the audio will be slightly quieter, and you will be free to move in and out of this space as you need.

FILM COLLECTION

FAMILY ADVENTURE FILMS

Presented by Inghams

3:30 - 4:45pm Sunday 23 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

Adventure begins with curiosity. These films celebrate the joy of discovery – from bug hunts and snowy slopes to mountain climbs and make-believe worlds. Made for families and young explorers alike, they remind us that wonder can be found anywhere, from the backyard to the big wall.

Free to attend - tickets required

PARTY

CRAGHOPPERS CEILIDH

4:30 - 6:30pm Sunday 23 November

The Venue at the Barrel House

An extra special Ceilidh with Craghoppers as they celebrate 60 years of adventure. Expect the liveliest of parties, dancing with old (and newly acquainted) friends, and the joys of a live band!

Tickets £13.50

SPEAKER EVENT

WALKING FOR WELLBEING: AROUND MORECAMBE BAY WITH WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Presented by Lancaster University & Wordsworth Grasmere

5 - 6pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Malt Room

FEATURE FILM CLIMBING INTO LIFE

5 - 6pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite. Never an athlete, she excelled in languages, art, music and other intellectual pursuits, but in her 60s she began climbing out of curiosity; her son, Alex Honnold, seemed to be having too much fun. Dierdre’s story proves that we are never too old to try something new.

Tickets £11.50

FILM COLLECTIONS

BEST OF KENDAL Presented by Rab 5 - 7:30pm Sunday 23 November

“How bountiful is Nature! … Quit your couch,” urged William Wordsworth in The Excursion –and this summer, over 200 walkers took him at his word. Guided by an actor voicing Wordsworth’s verse, they explored the dramatic landscapes of Morecambe Bay, from Black Combe and Piel Island to Fleetwood, and even a crossing of the Bay itself. Join us for the premiere screening of a stunning new film that captures these poetic journeys, followed by a lively discussion with some of the participants.

Tickets £9.50 / u18s £7.50

Details of the films in the Best Of collections will be added to the website from Saturday evening.

YELLOW: Brewery Arts - Screen 2

RED: Brewery Arts - Studio

GREEN: Brewery Arts - Theatre

BLUE: The Box - Kendal College

BEST OF KENDAL Presented by Rab 6:30 - 9pm Sunday 23 November

Details of the films in the Best Of collections will be added to the website from Saturday evening.

BLUE: Brewery Arts - Screen 3

BEST OF KENDAL Presented by Rab 8 - 10:30pm Sunday 23 November

Details of the films in the Best Of collections will be added to the website from Saturday evening.

GREEN: Brewery Arts - Screen 2

YELLOW: Brewery Arts - Studio

RED: Brewery Arts - Theatre

Tickets £13.50 / u18s £10

SHARE THE ADVENTURE

WELCOME TO THE KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL FILM PROGRAMME 2025

BIG SCREEN VIEWING IN THE RAB CINEMAS

We’re delighted to welcome Rab back as the partner of our cinema venues at the Brewery Arts.

Join us and be treated to state-ofthe-art screens, surround sound systems and the comfiest seating this side of the Alps.

Hope –– a quiet force, yet boundless in its reach –– is the guiding theme for this year’s Film Programme. It is the steady breath before a leap, the sun cresting a ridge at dawn, and the shared spark between friends. Our films this year celebrate both light and dark, reflecting the resilience of people who choose to come together and keep going. Throughout the programme, we’re proud to be screening films that explore all aspects of humanity and the natural world, in its daring beauty.

For full immersion, explore our Feature Films. Or, let us curate for you; our Short Film Collections are chosen to delight, surprise, and excite. Find what resonates most with you: connect with elements like Climb, Mountain, Snow, and Water; or delve into themes such as Human Spirit and Rise Up. We are honoured that so many filmmakers choose to premiere their work at Kendal, and this year we are delighted to welcome over 140 filmmakers from across the world, giving audiences insight into their work at each screening. In 2025, we are thrilled to expand our accessible film programme. Highlights include the award-winning feature Champions of the Golden Valley with audio description (AD) and closed captions (CC), and a 90-minute collection of the finest Kendal short films featuring AD and CC, alongside nine relaxed screenings. We’ve partnered with the team at Find It Film to create the accessibility assets, and they’ll be joining us at the Festival to host a workshop on finding a radical edge in filmmaking.

So, dive into the Film Programme, and let us know which films capture your imagination. The ultimate prize is the People’s Choice Award – see the opposite page for details on how to vote. And don’t forget, our Festival Film Programme is digital once again, so let the adventure continue by signing up to our online streaming platform, Kendal Mountain Player, and enjoy the Kendal films all year around!

As filmmakers and adventurers turn their lenses toward renewal and possibility, they remind us that hope is not naive optimism, but courage made visible. PRESENTED BY

SMALL SCREEN VIEWING AT HOME WITH KENDAL MOUNTAIN PLAYER

With so many films on offer, it’s a marathon in itself to try to watch everything over this Festival weekend!

From Thursday 20 November, the Kendal Mountain Player, our online streaming platform, will be your personal guide to the 2025 Film Festival. From short film collections to life-affirming feature films, we’re showcasing award-winning titles, new releases, and festival favourites — all from the comfort of your sofa!

Enjoy the 2025 Festival Films for just £34.99* or for an extra £10, subscribe for a whole year for £44.99. Discover it all at kendalmountainplayer.com

Online Film Programme presented by Danner and SportShoes.com

*Available 20 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 only

THE INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITION

The Festival aims to show the very best in outdoor film, across the broadest spectrum.

Films are judged against twelve competitive categories, including prizes for genre and creative excellence, by a panel of film and outdoor experts, and in the case of the People’s Choice, the audience itself. A trophy sculpted by Andy Parkin will be awarded to the best film in the categories.

2024 WINNERS

Grand Prize Mountain Queen

People’s Choice Award

King Of The Fells

Best Climbing Ashima

Best Mountain Jamie

Best Adventure & Exploration

Girl Of Wind

Best Short MOMO

Best Environment Searching For Amani

Best Creative Plunge

Best Community & Culture

The Sound Of Wind

Best Sport

Pourquoi Tu Vas Là-haut / What Brings You Up There

Judges Special Prize

Indai Apai Darah

Changemaker Award

Planetwalker

WIN A RAB LATOK ALPINE GTX JACKET!

VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

SUPPORTED BY RAB

Your voice matters! As you enjoy our amazing lineup of films, remember that you have the power to award the People’s Choice Film Prize – a meaningful accolade for filmmakers, voted by the most important critics of all: the audience.

HOW TO VOTE

After each screening, check your email for a link to cast your ballot. It’s that simple! Plus, when you vote, you will have the chance to enter the prize draw to win a Rab Latok Alpine GTX Jacket!

VOTING DEADLINE

Make sure to vote by 18:00 on Sunday 23 November. We’ll announce the winning film during the “Best of Kendal” screenings at 20:15. Be a part of something special – cast your vote and celebrate the best of Kendal!

THE JURY

JONATHAN HOURIGAN (CHAIR)

Jonathan has been on the jury for the last four years. He is a screenwriter and educator. Recent credits include the award-winning At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking – the feature debut of 2020 Festival prize winner Maja Novakovic. He is Programme Director for MA Screenwriting at University of Manchester.

EMMA CROME

Emma is an award-winning filmmaker and Creative Director at Coldhouse Collective, with fifteen years of experience working in the documentary film and outdoor sector. She works with international brands, leading and producing narrative-led multi-media campaigns, intersecting themes of adventure, nature, and our connection to the land.

MARTIN JOHNSON

Martin is a father of two and ultra-runner from South East London. In 2020 Martin became an original community member of the newly formed Black Trail Runners (BTR). Martin featured in the 2022 Patagonia film Run to the Source, which won Best Community & Culture Award at Kendal that year.

TANYA NAVILLE

Tanya is a committed athlete and a leading figure in promoting gender diversity in mountain sports. A former ski mountaineering competitor, she is now the director of the Femmes en Montagne film festival, which she founded to spotlight new narratives in the mountains, promote female filmmakers, and encourage women’s creative work.

VERONICA MELKONIAN

Veronica is a British-Armenian photographer, writer, and presenter exploring identity, belonging and representation through visual storytelling. With roots in action sports and outdoor media, she works across editorial and commercial platforms to challenge dominant narratives and amplify underrepresented voices.

THE KENDAL FILM AWARDS PRESENTED BY DANNER & RAB

6.30 - 8pm Saturday 22 November

The Venue at the Barrel House | Tickets £7.50

The most important element of film at the Festival: the Awards! Who will you be rooting for?

Join us at The Venue where our esteemed Jury will reveal their decisions for the 12 Prizes. From Best Creative to Grand Prize – this is the moment the filmmakers have been waiting for.

FILM COLLECTION BEST OF

KENDAL

ACCESSIBLE SCREENING

This specially curated selection featuring the very best of the 2025 Kendal films, is presented with Closed Captions (CC), Audio Description (AD) and live BSL interpretation. Through stories of courage, curiosity, and care, these films remind us that every journey — on water, ice, or mountain trail — is made richer when everyone can share it.

SCREENING TIME

11:45 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

SHOWING UP

PRASHANT MADAN

An adventure-seeking couple hike the 2,000-kilometre Via Alpina — 145,000 metres of elevation gain, 17 Everests’ worth of dreams.

INDIA / 6’

BOGS | THE MAGIC OF PEAT

CHARLIE BUSH, SAM SCHÖTTNER

In England’s Lake District, conservationists uncover the hidden beauty and climate power of peat bogs — the planet’s greatest carbon store.

UK / 11’

NEW TERRAIN

MATIAS MYKLEBUST

Married couple Krister Kopala, a world-class snowboarder, and Thea Røhme, an aspiring mountain guide, move to western Norway to chase their dreams in the mountains. But when ambitions pull them in different directions, they’re forced to confront risk, trust, and each other. What does it mean to share exposed terrain with the one you love most?

NORWAY / 30’

MOTHER RIVER

JEREMIAH SCHUSTER

Devin Brown sets out to become the first Black woman on record to kayak the full length of the Mississippi River, tracing history and breaking boundaries along its course.

USA / 6’

PERIPHERAL

PETER NAYLOR

As her sight fades, Lucy undertakes an epic trek across Northern England. Through courage and adaptation, she discovers new ways to see the world — and herself.

UK / 36’

NEXT-LEVEL INSULATION. LOWER IMPACT.

MAMMUT LOOPINSULATION

A high-performing synthetic fill made from 50% industrial rope offcuts and 50% recycled PET. It delivers warmth even in wet conditions and offers a lower-impact alternative for your adventures.

FILM COLLECTION

BIKE - BLUE

From daring descents to muddy battles, childhood trails to championship podiums — these films capture the thrill of life on two wheels. Across continents and generations, riders push limits, build communities, and discover joy in the ride.

SCREENING TIMES

09:00 Friday 21 Nov The Box - Kendal College

20:45 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

ROOTS RUN DEEP ‘ROBIN’

CRAIG GRANT

Robin Goomes dreamed of becoming a professional mountain biker, though living far from the sport’s global hub made it seem impossible. Through grit and determination, she became the first Red Bull Rampage Women’s Champion.

USA / 14’

DELUGE

SCOTT SECCO

Georgia Astle, Casey Brown, Carson Storch, and Tom van Steenbergen take on some of the wettest, muddiest, most miserable riding conditions imaginable — a celebration of commitment through chaos.

CANADA / 2’

EMIL & KARL – LITTLE WHEELS, BIG MOUNTAINS

HOLGER JOSEF WALTER WIMMER

Two adventurous fathers, Jakob and Konne, embark on a six-day mountain bike tour through the Swiss Alps — joined by their two twoyear-old sons, Karl and Emil. A 180-kilometre journey with 6,000 metres of ascent and twice as much joy.

GERMANY / 30’

THE BRIGHTER SIDE

INNES GRAHAM

A reflective look at the challenges and small joys of riding mountain bikes in the Scottish winter.

UK / 4’

GOOCHIE

ADAM PRICE

Adaptive mountain biking is transforming the sport — this short, highadrenaline film captures the raw excitement of its rise.

CANADA / 3’

DYFI GROMS

ASHLEY LEUNG

In the Dyfi Valley of mid-Wales, a group of young riders explore the trails that raised them — and the power of community that keeps them riding.

FILM COLLECTION

BIKE - RED

High-speed descents, endurance races, and personal reinvention — these films show how cycling transforms lives. From dirt trails to continental crossings, riders face adversity, push limits, and find freedom on two (and sometimes three) wheels.

SCREENING TIMES

11:45 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio 09:30 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

TRAILBLAZER: THE ANGELO WASHINGTON STORY

JONATHAN MEHRING

Angelo Washington thought baseball was his escape from poverty. After injury derailed his dreams, he discovered mountain biking — and fought prejudice to become one of the fastest downhill racers alive.

USA / 21’

MONSTER MILES

SEAN CONWAY

Two brothers head out on their first bike-packing adventure in search of the Loch Ness Monster — a light-hearted ride into imagination.

UK / 4’

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RACE

LIZZIE JENKINS

One of the hardest bike races in the world — 4,600 kilometres across Europe, completely self-supported. This year, more women than ever took to the start line, redefining endurance, courage, and community.

UK / 12’

POACHA’S JOURNAL

DAVID PEACOCK, ANDRE NUTINI

Through sketches, musings, and designs, Poacha’s Journal explores what it means to be free on a bike — a meditation on creativity and movement.

AUSTRIA / 6’

BEST DAY EVER

BEN KNIGHT, BERNE BROUDY

Adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi navigate life, friendship, and Vermont’s rural trails. Their story dismantles ableism and celebrates the joy of movement, resilience, and shared adventure.

USA / 48’

BIKE FILM COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY

UK / 38’

FILM COLLECTION CLIMB - BLUE

From limestone walls to frozen gullies, gritstone boulders to alpine routes, these films capture climbing in all its forms. Across continents and communities, climbers push limits, question ethics, and rediscover what it means to belong on the wall.

SCREENING TIMES

14:00 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

14:00 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Theatre

CLIMBING THROUGH CAM SYLVESTER

Professional climber Julia Niles balances motherhood, guiding, and counselling — until a big-wall trip to Chile’s Cochamó Valley helps her rediscover what it means to thrive.

CANADA / 11’

VAUTOUR

BRIAN MATHÉ

After their legendary 100 x 7a bouldering feat in Fontainebleau, Seb Berthe and Hugo Parmentier tackle a new challenge: five major Verdon Gorge routes in under 24 hours. More than numbers — it’s a story of endurance, friendship, and ethics.

BELGIUM / 32’

MASA: 居場所 (THE PLACE WHERE I AM)

RACHEL SARAH

From icy Scottish crags to quiet Japanese countryside, Masa follows mountaineer Masa Sakano between two homelands — exploring belonging, language, and identity through climbing.

UK / 18’

FIERCE

STANLEY HUNTER

Yorkshire’s highball bouldering scene demands courage. At 5’2”, Tina Breslin often invents new ways up proud lines — becoming both the shortest and first woman to climb many of them.

UK / 33’

AN INTERVIEW WITH...

ROBBIE PHILLIPS

THE GREAT ARCH

Describe yourself in three words. Scottish. Curious. Stubborn.

And another three words on why we should discover your film. Wild. Human. Legacy.

What was the biggest challenge of the project?

Trusting everything would come together. Our first attempt was thwarted by weather, and the second gave us only three days to climb and film perfectly. With Ryan Balharry (1st Camera), Emil Torday (Drone), and Jamie Lowther (Climbing Partner) beside me, I knew whatever happened, we’d come away with an incredible story.

FILM COLLECTION CLIMB - RED

The beating heart of Kendal — our most anticipated climbing stories of the year. From sit starts to snowy summits, these films capture obsession, legacy, and the joy of testing human limits.

SCREENING TIMES

18:00 Thursday 20 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

11:45 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 1

THE CRUX OF JUGGLING KIRSTY PARDEDE

In Spain’s Albarracín, the hardest problem isn’t the rock — it’s balancing family life and climbing passion. A tender film about parenting, partnership, and finding joy when everyone’s needs collide.

UK / 6’

REEL ROCK: RIDERS ON THE STORM

JOSH LOWELL

Three Belgian big-wall climbers endure 18 days of blizzards, frozen feet, and fearsome runouts as they attempt a coveted alpine first ascent.

BELGIUM / 28’

LA RUBIA

BRONWYN HODGINS, JULIA CASSOU

After years of big-wall burnout, Canadian climber Bronwyn Hodgins shifts her focus to sport climbing — and finds herself facing one of the hardest mental battles of her life: La Rubia (8c+).

CANADA / 30’

THE GREAT ARCH

ROBBIE PHILLIPS

Climber Robbie Phillips attempts the second free ascent of Scotland’s Great Arch, nearly three decades after the first. A story of failure, success, and legacy.

UK / 29’

CLIMB FILM COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY

Within the world of adventure film, what does “hope” mean to you?

Hope sits somewhere between trust and surrender. As both climber and filmmaker, I’ve learned that adventure never goes to plan. Weather, conditions, and energy all shift. Hope is trusting your team, trusting yourself, and knowing whatever happens, it’ll make a story worth telling.

What are you looking forward to most when visiting Kendal?

There’s nothing like watching an audience watch your film. I can’t wait to see if they laugh and gasp in the right places. And of course, catching up with friends in the Brewery after a full day of Kendal chaos. It’s the best kind of reunion.

What’s next?

Two new films for 2026. One tells the story of an F-111 jet crash on Skye through my late friend David “Heavy” Whalley, who led the rescue. The other celebrates onsight trad climbing in the UK. Expect big falls, bad decisions, and a lot of fun.

FILM COLLECTION

EXPLORE - BLUE

Adventure begins when we leave the familiar. These films follow explorers who trade comfort for challenge — discovering both the world and themselves in the process.

SCREENING TIMES

20:45 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio 09:00 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Theatre

GLACIER SPEAK

MAX ROMEY

A sketch of an Alaskan glacier sends watercolour artist Max Romey on a journey to find where his grandmother stood four decades ago — to create the same sketch in the same place with the same materials.

USA / 15’

A BAFFIN VACATION: LOVE ON ICE

RUSH STURGES, SKIP ARMSTRONG

Erik and Sarah embark on an epic 69-day “vacation” across Baffin Island — kite-skiing, climbing, and kayaking through remote Arctic wilderness.

USA / 26’

ALONE ACROSS GOLA

JUDE KRIWALD

Deep in Liberia’s Gola rainforest, Jude Kriwald finds himself alone — his guide gone, supplies dwindling, and no one in sight for days. His journey becomes a meditation on courage, purpose, and what it means to follow the dreams we leave behind.

UK / 20’

THE WAY BACK

AMY DAVID

Three women retrace the history of a Wyoming homestead by horse and ski, balancing legacy, adventure, and friendship across mountain passes. USA / 30’

AN INTERVIEW WITH...

JUDE KRIWALD

ALONE ACROSS GOLA

Describe yourself in three words. Curious. Passionate. Principled. And another three words on why we should discover your film. Awaken something forgotten.

What was the biggest challenge of the project?

Every night, in my tent, alone and deep in the dark of the rainforest, I had to transfer files from my cameras to my hard drive. I always thought that if someone tried to rob me (which they did), I’d insist they take my cash and passport, just please not my hard drive! There was no viable way to produce a backup.

Within the world of adventure film, what does “hope” mean to you? Hoping for, and working towards, a better world is what gives us our humanity. I always think that we have two types of hope within us. Obviously, there’s hope that external matters will improve. But I also carry hope that I will learn and find peace more easily, internally. My journeys are a key part of this.

FILM COLLECTION

EXPLORE - RED

True exploration demands grit, imagination, and a sense of wonder. These films capture human curiosity at its boldest — traversing glaciers, paragliding across peaks, and seeking meaning in the farthest reaches of wilderness.

SCREENING TIMES

11:45 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 1

09:30 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

A HUNDRED WORDS FOR WIND

CODY CIRILLO

Follow Cody Cirillo and Matthew Tufts on a human-powered cycle-toski expedition: a 1,700-kilometre, 35-day circumnavigation of Iceland’s Ring Road. Amid blizzards, ice-coated roads and gale-force winds, they hunt for brief weather windows to climb and ski 800-metre couloirs and untouched faces. At the intersection of endurance cycling and freeride skiing, the film becomes a portrait of Iceland’s unforgiving landscape — experienced on two wheels and skis.

USA / 30’

MEIJE

JAKE HOLLAND

In France’s Écrins National Park, paragliders Fabi and Mel merge climbing and flight to reach remote ascents — a breathtaking blend of courage, trust, and perspective.

UK / 10’

HUGHSEY’S TRI-NATION TRIATHLON

GEORGE HOPKINS, JACK FISHER

Two years after a near-fatal accident, adventurer Claire Hughes hikes, packrafts, and cycles across Wales, England, and Scotland on a selfsupported journey of recovery and strength.

GERMANY / 24’

DELAYED GRATIFICATION

MARTIN WICHARDT, PETER NILSSON

Some goals are worth waiting for. In an age of instant results, this short celebrates patience, persistence, and mountains that test both.

SWEDEN / 5’

ARCTIC ALCHEMY

COLIN ARISMAN, ZEPPELIN ZEERIP

Climate scientist Roman Dial and his team journey 112 miles through Alaska’s Brooks Range by packraft and foot, investigating a mysterious Arctic pollution source — a story of loss, fatherhood, and the power of wilderness to heal and humble.

USA / 29’

EXPLORE FILM COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY

What’s next? You’ve no doubt been backpacking, maybe even bikepacking. Well, I want to coin snorkelpacking! I just got back from a first test run in the Red Sea: I don’t know if I’d call it successful, but I certainly learned a lot and the concept has great potential. Face down over coral reefs, several hours a day, towing camping gear and camping on the beach. It’s a great blend of adventure and mindfulness.

FILM COLLECTION

HIDDEN GEMS

From skiing to sheep herding, birdwatching to DIY rafting, these films celebrate the inventors, explorers, and daydreamers who make their own adventures — proof that curiosity and creativity are the ultimate fuel for discovery.

SCREENING TIMES

16:15 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

11:45 Saturday 22 Nov The Box - Kendal College

INITIUM

AURÉLIEN COLLET

After qualifying for the Freeride World Tour, Virgile reflects on his achievements and the new challenges ahead — the beginning of another ascent.

FRANCE / 15’

THE MERMAID WIFE: THE APEX SINGERS

LYDIA WONHAM

Beneath the hills of Shetland, mermaids are said to dwell in palaces of coral and pearl. Their voices still echo, centuries on, in this lyrical fusion of folklore and song.

UK / 4’

LIFE UPHILL: TENZIN DOLMA STORY

AKSHAT JAIN

Forced into marriage at 15 and motherhood at 19, Indian ultramarathon runner Tenzin Dolma defies expectations, conquering the Himalayas with little support but boundless strength.

INDIA / 8’

TO THE SEA

SCOTT PETERS

Two friends finally complete a six-year dream — rafting Sweden’s Vindel River on a homemade pallet raft, braving rapids, mosquitoes, and the meaning of adventure itself.

UK / 24’

NOTES FROM ABOVE THE CLOUDS

JAKE JOYNSON

Adham once sold software in a suit. Now, he tends 1,000 sheep in Europe’s highest mountains — proof that trading speed for stillness can change a life.

UK / 15’

THE BIRDWATCHERS

THOMAS WINWARD

Four women challenge stereotypes and share their joy, fear, and passion for birding — a celebration of patience, community, and wonder.

UK / 14’

CYCLES OF LIFE

SARA BEAM ROBBINS, GRANT ROBBINS

Bikes aren’t just about podiums — they’re about connection. Erin rides with her father, who has Parkinson’s, and her son Brennen, bridging generations through shared motion.

USA / 15’

FILM COLLECTION

HUMAN SPIRIT

Courage, resilience, and hope shine through in these stories of people who confront fear, grief, and hardship to realise their dreams in the outdoors. From river dories to mountain summits, from community walks to cold-water swims, each journey reveals the strength of the human spirit.

SCREENING TIMES

14:00 Saturday 22 Nov The Box - Kendal College

ABOUT DAMN TIME

DANA ROMANOFF

A boatman’s tale about the women who row the iconic dories in the Grand Canyon — their struggles to break into the current, and the passing of the oars to a new generation.

USA / 26’

THRIVE

ZAK JAQUES

Across some of the UK’s most striking landscapes, a growing community of men walk, meditate, and challenge themselves together. Thrive captures the relationships that emerge through shared hardship and healing.

UK / 27’

A LITTLE STORY ABOUT FOREVER

MAX ROMEY

This short film about forever unfolds from the POVs of father (Max) and son (Kip) as they attempt to write a book about what forever means. The father feels overwhelmed by all of the threats to forever, like forever chemicals, and calls an unlikely hero to ask for help seeing the big picture.

USA / 10’

NOW I FEEL ALIVE

ANYA BRYAN

Kathleen Wotton’s journey from being bed-bound to rediscovering life through creativity, nature, and community. A moving story of renewal and belonging.

UK / 4’

SONGS

AND FLOWERS

JULEN ELORZA

Seven years after her brother’s death, Karina Carsolio returns to their shared dream — to climb Bolivia’s highest mountains in record time. With partner Hillary Gerardi, she faces the mountain as both mirror and memorial, seeking closure and connection.

SPAIN / 28’

FILM COLLECTION

MOUNTAIN - BLUE

Across the world’s highest peaks, these films explore what draws us to the mountains — not to answer old questions, but to reimagine them. Through risk, resilience, and awe, we meet those who climb, ski, and struggle toward summits, both literal and emotional.

SCREENING TIMES

10:30 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Theatre

18:30 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

MANY SMALL STEPS

ROB WAUGH

A young boy shares his love for the outdoors as he climbs his first Munro — a small step that becomes a metaphor for life itself.

UK / 3’

NEW TERRAIN

MATIAS MYKLEBUST

Married couple Krister Kopala, a world-class snowboarder, and Thea Røhme, an aspiring mountain guide, move to western Norway to chase their dreams in the mountains. But when ambitions pull them in different directions, they’re forced to confront risk, trust, and each other. What does it mean to share exposed terrain with the one you love most?

NORWAY / 30’

THE BRIDE OF MONT BLANC

GRACE TAYLORSON SMITH PRITCHARD

Adventurer Elise Wortley retraces the journeys of forgotten female explorers — reviving their stories and celebrating a legacy still shaping women’s place in exploration today.

UK / 27’

ANNA

KAEL VAN BUSKIRK

An intimate portrait of mountaineer Anna Pfaff as she faces life after a devastating frostbite injury in Alaska. Through recovery and reinvention, she discovers strength in vulnerability and transformation.

USA / 22’

AN INTERVIEW WITH... CARRIE MCCARTHY MOUNTAIN ROOTS

Describe yourself in three words. Brave. Strong. Curious.

And another three words on why we should discover your film. Brave Girl Energy.

What was the biggest challenge of the project?

The biggest challenge of Mountain Roots was the weather during production... which ultimately became part of the film’s story.

FILM COLLECTION MOUNTAIN - RED

To climb is to question — why we go, who we follow, and what we find at the top. These films take us from childhood ascents to record-breaking speed missions and icy descents from 6,000 metres, revealing how the call of the mountains continues to shape human connection, courage, and loss.

SCREENING TIMES

18:30 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio 11:30 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Theatre

MOUNTAIN ROOTS: THE JOURNEY HOME

CARRIE MCCARTHY, MARK PEDRI

A 9-year-old climber travels from Wyoming to the Italian Alps with her grandfather to climb a mountain together — reconnecting a family separated for more than a century.

USA / 11’

THE FAST LINE

JOCHEN SCHMOLL

Swiss climber Nicolas Hojac and Austrian Philipp Brugger attempt the impossible — to summit the north faces of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau in one day.

SPAIN / 30’

WOMEN & BLADES

CLAUDIA KEDNEY-BOLDUC

For over 20 years, ice climber Nathalie has mastered frozen waterfalls and sharp ridges. Now she shares her skills through women’s clinics, creating a safe space for others to rise.

CANADA / 7’

TRANGO

LEO HOORN

After two years of planning, ski mountaineers Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger and Jim Morrison — joined by Nick McNutt and Chantel Astorga — achieve the first ski descent of Pakistan’s Great Trango Glacier. At 6,000 metres, trust and teamwork are all that stand between them and the void.

USA / 45’

MOUNTAIN FILM COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY

Within the world of adventure film, what does “hope” mean to you? Hope is what keeps us pushing forward, especially when things get hard... filmmakers and adventurers alike!

What are you looking forward to most when visiting Kendal? Meeting up with filmmaker friends, old and new!

What’s next?

I’m working on a tribute to Amelia Earhart’s legacy in the skies of Wyoming, featuring two present-day female pilots called the Sky Queens.

FILM COLLECTION

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

From peat bogs to coastlines, hives to wild horses, these films explore how people are reconnecting with and fighting for the natural world. They remind us that care begins with understanding — and that love for the planet is born from knowing it deeply.

SCREENING TIMES

13:30 Friday 21 Nov The Box - Kendal College

11:45 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

BOGS | THE MAGIC OF PEAT

CHARLIE BUSH, SAM SCHÖTTNER

Often overlooked and misunderstood, peatlands cover just 3% of Earth’s surface yet store twice as much carbon as all forests combined. In England’s Lake District, conservationists reveal their hidden beauty and vital role in climate balance.

UK / 11’

THE FIRE POPPY

SASHWA BURROUS

Fire ecologist Sasha Berleman transforms fear into fascination — learning how controlled burning can heal landscapes and restore balance to the land.

USA / 11’

THE HIVE ARCHITECT

MAX WESTON

For 14 years, Matt Somerville has built log hives across England, creating wild sanctuaries for honeybees. His mission: to protect pollinators by letting nature lead.

UK / 12’

THE HUMAN SIDE OF PLASTIC: BABACAR THIAW

ANDREW LYNCH, BEN AYERS, RUSH STURGES

Senegalese surfer and activist Babacar Thiaw leads a movement to tackle his country’s escalating plastic pollution and preserve its coastline — a story of action, hope, and responsibility.

USA / 16’

RETURN

PERCY DEAN

Shot in 1918, the last white-tailed eagle in the UK was killed. A century later, conservationists celebrate the species’ remarkable comeback and the new generation inspired by its return.

UK / 29’

HELLBENT

BROOKLYN PHILLIPS, SARAH STEWART

Amid the political debate surrounding America’s wild horse population, one woman on the frontlines fights for understanding and compassion in the midst of conflict.

USA / 14’

FILM COLLECTION

OUTSIDE ARTISTS

Where art and the natural world intertwine in unexpected ways. From beach drawings erased by the tide to ballet danced in the rain — these films reveal how creativity flourishes outdoors, across landscapes and generations.

SCREENING TIMES

11:15 Friday 21 Nov The Box - Kendal College

09:30 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

MUGA

ALEX F WEBB

Among the ancient rocks of Switzerland’s Ticino Valley, climber Ashima Shiraishi unlocks the rhythm of the mountains, seeking muga — a state free from attachment, expectation, and desire.

CANADA / 10’

WE ARE ALL ARTISTS

SIMON RATIGAN

A celebration of the beauty of beach art in Cornwall and an intimate portrait of local artist Bill Bartlett.

UK / 12’

THEN COMES THE BODY

JACOB KRUPNICK

With no ballet schools in Nigeria, Daniel Ajala founded Leap of Dance Academy in his yard — humble, tough, and free. When a video of his students dancing in the rain went viral, the world took notice. Ajala now sees his role as a bridge for those who follow.

USA / 14’

MY GRANDFATHER WAS A MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

TABITHA ELLIS

A conversation between filmmaker Tabitha Ellis and her grandfather John Emery, who died in 1963. Illustrated puppets and crafted sets bring humour and tenderness to questions of memory, darkness, and legacy.

UK / 4’

EN PLEIN AIR

MATT STEEVES

Two decades after the expedition that launched his art career, Indigenous painter Alfred Villeneuve returns by canoe to paint in the wilderness, where nature is both subject and guide.

CANADA / 14’

BECOMING AIR

ALISI TELENGUT, DIEGO GALAFASSI

Take a deep breath. As you exhale, imagine that anywhere on Earth you go, you meet the same air molecules within you now.

CANADA / 6’

RECOMPOSING EARTH

CHRISTIAN CARGILL

Beneath the peaty soil of Orkney lies a buried recording of composer Erland Cooper’s unheard album — an experiment in patience, art, and value. Will it emerge silent, and would that even matter?

UK / 28’

FILM COLLECTION

PADDLE

Across rivers, canyons, and thundering falls, paddling becomes more than sport — it is a way to confront limits, claim space, and discover connection. These films carry us from quiet waters to raging rapids, revealing the thrill and spirit of life on the river.

SCREENING TIMES

18:00 Thursday 20 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

14:00 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

GANGA GIRLS

PRASHANT BHATT, JYOTI JANGRA

On a 70-kilometre paddle down the Ganga River, Naina Adhikari brings girls together to carve out an inclusive space in India’s maledominated kayaking scene.

INDIA / 19’

THE SMOKE THAT THUNDERS

CALEB ROBERTS

Kayaker Ben Marr sets out to paddle the legendary Minus Rapids at the base of Victoria Falls. The journey upstream proves as punishing as the water itself — a full assault on the senses from the mighty Zambezi.

CANADA / 4’

GABON UNCHARTED

DAVID ARNAUD

The SEND Collective — social-media stars turned real-world adventurers — plunge deep into Gabon’s jungle to run an unknown river. Ten days without Wi-Fi bring raw whitewater, relentless rain, and unfiltered honesty as online legends meet offline chaos.

GERMANY / 44’

MOTHER RIVER

JEREMIAH SCHUSTER

Devin Brown sets out to become the first Black woman on record to kayak the full length of the Mississippi River, tracing history and breaking boundaries along its course.

USA / 6’

CANYON CHORUS

CHRIS CRESCI

Adventurer Mikah Meyer once believed he couldn’t be both openly gay and fully himself outdoors. A mentorship with choir professor Larry Edwards changed that. Together on the river, they share a profound story of friendship, reflection, and acceptance.

USA / 17’

PADDLE FILM COLLECTION PRESENTED BY

FILM COLLECTION

PEOPLE & PLACE

Landscapes hold memory, identity, and tradition. Across mountains, coasts, and valleys, lives are shaped by the ground beneath our feet — and in turn, human stories etch themselves back into the land. These films explore how place becomes inseparable from the people who dwell within it.

SCREENING TIMES

11:45 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

LOVE NOTES TO NATURE

JOANNA SUCHOMSKA

Writer Dal Kular embarks on a journey through ancestry and belonging to understand her connection to the land she calls home.

UK / 4’

BRIDGERS

JOSEPH P FLETCHER

Two ski-patrollers reflect on the rapid changes transforming both their mountain home and the sport they love.

USA / 12’

CUMBIRA II

MATEO BARRENENGOA

In a small Angolan village, brothers aged 10 and 14 prepare to climb a 300-metre wall — hoping to be the first locals to reach its summit. Their attempt could change village life forever.

CHILE / 29’

CHAM

RAUNAK KAPOOR, GEN LIU

Each winter in northern India, monks gather at Thiksey Monastery for Cham — a ceremonial dance opening a sacred window into the divine.

USA / 8’

HEADLAND

MARIANA DUARTE

On a pebble beach along the English Channel, a nature reserve becomes a place of solace and danger. Sea rescues, coastal life, and migrant crossings merge in a landscape of wonder and loss.

UK / 13’

GADDI – THE HIMALAYAN SHEPHERD

AKSHAT JAIN, PRATEEK VERMA

Amid the dramatic peaks of the Miyar Valley, a Himalayan shepherd endures hardship and beauty in a way of life slowly disappearing. INDIA / 7’

ASSYNT

DAN LIOR, NOAM NOFI GENET

In the Scottish Highlands, crofting endures as both history and future — carved from necessity, shaped by resilience, and bound to the land. UK / 18’

PEOPLE & PLACE FILM COLLECTION PRESENTED BY

FILM COLLECTION

RIDE & FLOW

From surf breaks to city streets, snowy slopes to sandy shores — these films celebrate life on a board. They capture resilience, creativity, and freedom in motion, as riders carve out space for community and selfexpression against the odds.

SCREENING TIMES

18:00 Thursday 20 Nov The Box - Kendal College 16:15 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

ON THE HILL

IZZY COHAN

With few opportunities at college or international level — and Olympic categories shrinking — ski jumping faces an uncertain future. This reflective film honours the sport’s history, its communities, and the childhood dreams it continues to inspire.

USA / 8’

SKATE LIKE A LASS

JULIET KLOTTRUP

From the Lake District to Blackpool promenade, skate collectives create safe spaces where young people can express themselves freely, on and off the board.

UK / 3’

PASTRANA

GABRIEL MOTTA, MELISSA BROGNI

Downhill skateboarder Melissa remembers her late friend Pastrana, weaving friends’ stories into a moving tribute. Through memory and motion, she finds presence in absence and a deeper sense of time.

BRAZIL / 15’

WEAZY

JULES BELLOT

Nicknamed “Weazy” as a child, freerider Craig Murray remains impossible to pin down. His skiing balances technical precision with wild abandon — an ode to freedom and the expansiveness of adventure.

FRANCE / 16’

ALICE

GABRIEL NOVIS

A surfer, skateboarder, artist, and transgender woman from Brazil’s northeast, Alice crafts her identity in defiance of prejudice. Through movement and creativity, she finds ways to live fully in a society still rife with barriers.

BRAZIL / 17’

SAND DANCERS

CONNOR LANGLEY

Quadriplegic daredevil Jimmy Simpson pursues an extraordinary journey from novice to champion surfer. Set on the wild north-east British coast, his story is one of resilience, community, and the boundless joy of riding waves.

UK / 30’

FILM COLLECTION

RISE UP

Stories of courage, creativity, and resilience from around the world. From Gaza to Ghana, Mexico to the mountains of Wales, these films reveal communities and individuals who defy prejudice and injustice, opening space for freedom, equality, and adventure.

SCREENING TIMES

14:00 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

PLASTIC PEAK

GRIFF LYNCH

On Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), wardens and scientists join forces to inspire the next generation by tackling plastic pollution on Wales’s most iconic mountain — a story of stewardship and hope.

UK / 16’

GAZA SUNBIRDS: AGAINST ALL ODDS

NECIP MAY

Meet the Gaza Sunbirds — a team of paracyclists who train and ride despite relentless hardship. Formed in defiance of occupation and war, they pedal with purpose, refusing to let violence define their limits.

UK / 20’

BEYOND EDEN

AL JOHNSTONE

In the 1970s, groups of lesbians across the US moved to remote landscapes to create worlds without men. Half a century later, Beyond Eden revisits the original Land Dykes — lives of endurance, resistance, and chosen community.

UK / 24’

OBIBINI

BEN LALANDE

On Ghana’s beaches, women break from history to ride the waves. Obibini celebrates a new generation liberated by surf and sea.

CANADA / 4’

ENRAIZADOS (OUR ROOTS REMAIN)

IVONNE SERNA, SÉLIM BENZEGHIA

In Michoacán’s mountains, the Indigenous town of Cherán expelled cartels, stopped illegal logging, and reclaimed self-rule. Through three generations, the film charts a revolution from uprising to community renewal.

MEXICO / 18’

ANNIKA – WHERE SHE LANDS

MIKE SCHWARTZ

Nordic combined skier Annika Malacinski fights for gender equality in a sport still closed to women. With a crucial IOC decision approaching, she trains, competes, and refuses to accept exclusion from the Olympic stage. USA / 10’

FILM COLLECTION

RUN & HIKE - BLUE

Why do we move through landscapes on foot — to compete, to heal, to belong, or simply to be? These films explore what running, walking, and hiking mean to us, from the quiet grace of a single step to the wild joy of moving together through nature.

SCREENING TIMES

16:15 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

09:30 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

MADE OF GRIT

JOSH HARDWICK

After six months on the Appalachian Trail, hikers reflect on endurance, patience, and transformation at Mount Katahdin’s summit.

USA / 15’

SOLIDARITY IN MOTION

CALEB YULE

The Sanctuary Runners were formed to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and local residents through running — this film shares their journey of taking part in the Brighton Marathon and the Brighton and Hove 10k.

UK / 11’

ROAD 138

SARAH WARREN

A brother runs 138 kilometres across Quebec to honour his sister’s fight with cancer — a powerful testament to love and endurance.

CANADA / 19’

RETRO

BRIAN HALL, JESS JAMES

An artful meditation on walking backwards — a playful study in perspective and patience.

UK / 13’

THE LONG RUN

MIKE RUMSEY

Trail athlete Luke Grenfell-Shaw confronts the world’s toughest races while living with cancer — proof that running can be an act of defiance and joy.

UK / 18’

ESCAPE

FELIX SHUMACK

A poetic short exploring the healing power of nature and the liberation of movement.

UK / 2’

WINNER GETS CAKE

HENDRIK FALLER

Inside the eccentric, muddy world of fell running — a uniquely British subculture of competition, chaos, and community.

UK / 20’

FILM COLLECTION RUN & HIKE - RED

Across continents and lifetimes, these stories reveal what keeps us moving — endurance, discovery, joy, and defiance.

SCREENING TIMES

09:30 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

14:45 Sunday 23 Nov The Box - Kendal College

LOOKING FOR THE BAD TIMES

PETER HOCHHAUSER

Ultrarunner Holly Stables takes on 300 miles at The Speed Project — an unsupported race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas — testing every mental and physical limit.

AUSTRIA / 22’

SHOWING UP

PRASHANT MADAN

An adventure-seeking couple hike the entire 2,000-kilometre Via Alpina across the European Alps — 145,000 metres of ascent, or 17 Everests’ worth of wonder.

INDIA / 6’

SUPERNOVA: THE 100 MILE DOG

LUCAS CULLEN, TOMMY DEWITT

Meet Nova, a Hungarian Vizsla, her ultrarunning dad Evan, and their crew-chief mum Cassie — a story of instinct, trust, and the bond that transcends the finish line.

CANADA / 18’

RUNNING AGAINST TIME

ALEXANDER LOCKETT

At 87, Okinawan runner Shimei Nakaoji runs daily in quiet defiance of age — reaching for immortality through motion and mindfulness.

USA / 6’

PERIPHERAL

PETER NAYLOR

Losing her sight but not her spirit, Lucy embarks on a challenging journey across northern England. A film about courage, adaptation, and rediscovery.

UK / 36’

FILM COLLECTION

SNOW - BLUE

From frozen summits to first descents, these films chart stories of transformation, courage, and deep connection to winter landscapes.

SCREENING TIMES

14:00 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

14:00 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

A LIFE IN A DAY

ANJUNA HARTMANN, JONAS BECHER

Professional snowboarder Elias Elhardt reflects on balance and meaning in a life of motion — a meditation on purpose in an ever-changing world.

AUSTRIA / 9’

THE BEGINNING

CRISTOBAL RUIZ

After two years of training, Alenka Mali becomes the first woman to successfully complete and document a snowboard BASE jump.

CANADA / 19’

FARMING TURNS

ANTHONY BONELLO

After witnessing climate change firsthand, professional skier Chris Rubens leaves the slopes to become an organic farmer — reconnecting to the land that shaped him.

CANADA / 25’

SHAPED BY LAND

EMILY SULLIVAN

In Greenland, Inuit ski guide Adam Kjeldsen pioneers community-led ski tourism rooted in respect for culture, landscape, and identity.

USA / 16’

AND AGAIN.

WILEY KAUPAS

A skier faces the struggle of identity when the sport that once defined him begins to slip away.

USA / 10’

NORDEND – DREAMING BEYOND LIMITS

GUIDO PERRINI

After three years of preparation, Swiss athlete Géraldine Fasnacht rides the perilous 55-degree northwest face of the Nordend (4,608m) — a fusion of aviation, snowboarding, and patience rewarded.

SWITZERLAND / 17’

FILM COLLECTION

SNOW - RED

From New Zealand to Japan, France to Norway, these films capture the exhilaration and vulnerability of life lived on snow — where joy and loss coexist on every line.

SCREENING TIMES

11:45 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 2

11:45 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

DEAR SUPERHERO

CORINNA MARIE HALORAN, JASE HANCOX

Professional skier Janina Kuzma confronts pregnancy, identity, and fear of losing her career — rediscovering peace and power in the Southern Alps.

NEW ZEALAND / 14’

THE GHOST RESORTS

JULIEN ROSERENS, JULES GUARNERI

An elegy to Le Super Saint-Bernard — a forgotten ski resort remembered through those who loved it.

FRANCE / 17’

MOUNTAIN JOY

NAT SEGAL

Professional skier Nat Segal redefines her relationship with pain after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis — reclaiming joy in motion.

USA / 5’

HORS LIGNE (OFF TRACK)

ALEX CHAMBET

After turning his back on competition, French freeride champion Jean Tonnelier rediscovers the quiet meaning of mountains and friendship.

FRANCE / 21’

THE SOUND OF JAPAN

FINLAY WOODS

Musician Jackson Fester composes an original soundtrack from Japan’s natural and urban sounds — turning snowboarding into symphony.

JAPAN / 7’

THE EDGE OF REASON

CODY TOWNSEND, MIKE DOUGLAS

Two veteran skiers — and a fearless newcomer — face the thin line between mastery and mortality in Norway’s Lyngen Alps.

USA / 37’

SNOW FILM COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY

FILM COLLECTION

WATER

Beneath the surface lie stories of resilience, memory, and transformation. From freedivers to swimmers, kayakers to dancers, these films reveal how water challenges, supports, and connects us in unexpected ways.

THE HOLD

JD DONNELLY

Inside the mind of champion freediver Alice Hickson as she pushes human limits with a record-breaking breath-hold.

UK / 10’

STREAMERS, STEAMERS, AND STRUGGLES

ROK ROZMAN, ROŽLE

On Slovenia’s Krka River, four kayakers turn rafting into a competitive quest to catch fish. Casting flies among castles and cattails, they face a gruelling challenge where pressure takes many forms.

SLOVENIA / 8’

BODY OF WATER

LILY BROWN

Swimmer Theodora searches Scotland year-round for the perfect wild swim — a short ode to cold water and connection.

UK / 2’

BLACK GODFATHER OF SCUBA

MATT KAY

For Dr Albert José “Doc” Jones, co-founder of the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, diving has never been just a sport. After exploring the wreck of the Henrietta Marie — the first lost slave ship ever recovered — he dedicated his life to honouring those lost to history and ensuring their stories endure.

USA / 25’

SCREENING TIMES

09:30 Saturday 22 Nov The Box - Kendal College 14:00 Sunday 23 Nov Brewery Arts - Studio

NOORA

ANNA KEKKONEN

Born with brittle-bone disease (Osteogenesis Imperfecta), dancer Noora finds in water a place of freedom. Supported by its pressure and surrounded by its embrace, she dares to move without fear.

FINLAND / 8’

SWIM SISTAS

CATHERINE JOY WHITE

From a young girl diving into joy, to Great Britain’s first and only Black female Olympic swimmer, to a woman learning at 54 — generations of Black women reclaim their place in the water. A celebration of connection, resilience, and hope.

UK / 11’

OPEN WATER

MIGUEL TEMME

Nikki never imagined herself an athlete, but open-water swimming revealed her strength and resilience. After conquering extreme challenges, she now mentors children training to relay-swim the English Channel.

GERMANY / 24’

WATER FILM COLLECTIONS PRESENTED BY

FILM COLLECTION PARENT & BABY

A welcoming, inclusive space for parents and guardians with babies under two. These relaxed screenings offer a chance for adults to enjoy our inspiring films in comfort — lights gently raised, sound softened, and a supportive environment for everyone.

BIG WALLS AND BEDTIME STORIES

MENNA WAKEFORD, LEO HOULDING

As part of a year of “education through adventure,” professional climber Leo Houlding shares his favourite place with his favourite people. From home-schooling at 2,000 feet to portaledge snowball fights, Jackson and Freya scale the Muir Wall on El Capitan, supported by Mum Jess and Dad Leo. Come and hang out with the family!

UK / 22’

SWIM SISTAS

CATHERINE JOY WHITE

From a young girl’s joyful plunge to Great Britain’s first and only Black female Olympic swimmer, to a woman learning at 54 — generations of Black women reclaim their place in the water. A celebration of connection, resilience, and hope.

UK / 11’

DELUGE

SCOTT SECCO

Georgia Astle, Casey Brown, Carson Storch, and Tom van Steenbergen take on the wettest, muddiest, most chaotic rides imaginable — an ode to perseverance and play.

CANADA / 2’

SCREENING TIMES

09:30 & 11:45 Friday 21 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 3 09:15 & 11:30 Saturday 22 Nov Brewery Arts - Screen 3

RIVER MAMMA

BETHAN JOHN

River Mamma follows Elisha McArthur — a lifelong raft guide and single mum — and her relationship with her teenage goth daughter, Charlotte, who has no interest in rivers at all. It’s an intimate portrait of family, teenage angst, and the way nature can help a mother and daughter reconnect.

UK / 8’

THA SINN AN SEO (WE ARE HERE)

WILL HAWKES

Through Gaelic language and song, communities in the Outer Hebrides celebrate identity, belonging, and the enduring relationship between people and place.

UK / 10’

NEW TERRAIN

MATIAS MYKLEBUST

Married couple Krister Kopala, a world-class snowboarder, and Thea Røhme, an aspiring mountain guide, move to western Norway to chase their dreams in the mountains. But when ambitions pull them in different directions, they’re forced to confront risk, trust, and each other. What does it mean to share exposed terrain with the one you love most?

NORWAY / 30’

THE SKI, WALKING AND LAPLAND HOLIDAY EXPERTS

The great outdoors is our happy place and it’s open all year round. Ski the slopes, walk the walks and explore the Lapland wilderness. If nature’s in your nature… if you’re itching for adventure - you’ve found your people. Tap into 90 years of exploring the outdoors.

FILM COLLECTION FAMILY ADVENTURE

Adventure begins with curiosity. These films celebrate the joy of discovery — from bug hunts and snowy slopes to mountain climbs and make-believe worlds. Made for families and young explorers alike, they remind us that wonder can be found anywhere, from the backyard to the big wall.

ALDO’S BUG EXTRAVAGANZA

NEIL LOSIN

Join five-year-old Aldo and his dad on a backyard safari filled with tiny wonders, big laughs, and the pure excitement of exploring the world up close.

USA / 6’

WHEN I GROW UP

ALEX HEITLER

Whether carving big lines, slashing powder, or simply playing in the park, snowboarder

Mathieu Crépél shows that the mountain is both playground and teacher — wherever you ride, joy comes first.

FRANCE / 12’

KIDS CLUB –FONTAINEBLEAU 25

ROBBIE MEAD

What does the legendary Fontainebleau bouldering area offer a group of nursery-age climbers? Quite a lot — laughter, adventure, and a lifetime’s start in outdoor play.

UK / 3’

MONSTER MILES

SEAN CONWAY

Two brothers embark on their first bike-packing adventure in search of the Loch Ness Monster — a heart-warming tale of imagination, teamwork, and muddy joy.

FRANCE / 5’

HOOFS ON SKATES

IGNAS MEILŪNAS

In a snowy wonderland, two skating friends tumble into an unfamiliar world beneath the ice. To find their way home, they must overcome fear and learn empathy for the “other kind.”

UK / 6’

MANY SMALL STEPS

ROB WAUGH

A young boy shares his love for the outdoors as he sets out to climb his first Munro — a simple yet joyous reminder of where mountain dreams begin.

UK / 3’

SCREENING TIMES

9.30am & 3.30pm Sunday 23 November

Kendal Leisure Centre

CYRUS AND THE MOUNTAIN SID GOPINATH

A curious German Shepherd spends a day exploring his mountain home, discovering adventure, belonging, and the meaning of family.

USA / 2’

BIG WALLS AND BEDTIME STORIES

MENNA WAKEFORD, LEO HOULDING

As part of a year of “education through adventure,” professional climber Leo Houlding shares his favourite place with his favourite people. From home-schooling at 2,000 feet to portaledge snowball fights, Jackson and Freya scale the Muir Wall on El Capitan, supported by Mum Jess and Dad Leo. Come and hang out with the family!

UK / 22’

FAMILY ADVENTURE FILM COLLECTION PRESENTED BY

stance advert 2.pdf 1 22/10/2025 16:33

SHORT FILMS IN SPEAKER EVENTS & SESSIONS

ALIGNÉE (ALIGNED)

FREDERIC ROUSSEAU

During the winter of 2025 skier, Juliette Willmann has an astonishing tête-à-tête with herself: humour, introspection, and emotion come unfiltered!

FRANCE / 11’

Snow Night

ANOTHER WINTER PASSED

MENGJIE LIANG, ZHONG

After working for ten years, Gail decided to explore a new way of life; Max, from southern China, had never seen snow as a child and has since been captivated by it, spending three winter seasons here. They chose to capture the simple joys that skiing brings to their lives.

CHINA / 5’

Kendal China Session

BREAKING TRAILS

HENDRIK FALLER

A story about understanding our relationship to risk and reward. Why are people driven to exploring the extreme — places that challenge human life itself?

UK / 12’

Breaking Trails Without Breaking Bones

CONTINUUM

GABE ROVICK

An immersive film about Doug Evans, a skier who has pursued his passion every month for over 282 months straight. But this isn’t a story about a streak — it’s about a way of life.

USA / 10’

Snow Night

These films are part of the film competition, and are being screened across the Festival in other events including speaker events and sessions

FELLSMAN

BILLY BARRACLOUGH

A portrait of fell runner Sonny Ashton-Fitch, reflecting on how it feels to push your body to its limit and the freedom that comes with an ability to run all over the Yorkshire Dales.

UK / 3’

Running Session

FIFTY FIFTY

ANGELA PERCIVAL

Tying in with a climbing partner symbolises an intersection of two approaches to the same sport, and how climbers at either end of a rope share similar goals. For renowned alpinists Ines Papert and Sarah Huenekin, the nexus of their aspirations comes as they both climb past the age of 50, inspired to keep pushing harder to achieve their full potential, while relentlessly working to better understand each other as climbing partners, as well as themselves.

CANADA /10’

Women in Adventure Session

GENERATION SHEGENG

ALEX BUISSE

Once a niche pursuit in China, sport climbing has exploded into the mainstream in the past few years. Nowhere is the transformation more evident than in Yangshuo, the heart of Chinese sport climbing. For years, its limestone towers have been the ultimate testing ground for climbers. But as the sport grows and China’s elite push harder than ever, Yangshuo’s classic crags are reaching their limits.

CANADA / 21’

Kendal China Session

HELLO BEAUTIFUL

DARCY HENNESSEY

While training for the Paris Olympics, professional climber Alannah Yip’s hair suddenly starts to fall out. Within weeks, she’s diagnosed with alopecia universalis. As Alannah grapples with the sudden change to her physical appearance and the fact that she might not qualify for Paris, she confronts deeply held assumptions about beauty, identity, and self-worth.

CANADA / 13’

Women in Adventure Session

KING

OF THE LAKES

JONNY WONG

Follow Hector Pardoe’s attempt to complete a challenge inspired by the famous Three Peaks Challenge — but with an open-water twist. Instead of climbing mountains, he set out to swim 55km across three of Britain’s most iconic lakes – Loch Lomond, Windermere, and Lake Bala – all within 24 hours.

UK / 25’

Outdoor Swimming Session

LUCUMA

LUKE PILBEAM

A surf film and meditation on the space between — this film explores the relationship between longtime friends, surfer Noah Lane and photographer James Bowden, highlighting the significance in the insignificant and set in the beautiful and vast landscape of Chile’s southern coastline.

UK / 26’

Ocean & Seas Session

MORE THAN A MOUNTAIN

LOZ HENSHALL

Fifteen women from around the world come together to climb Yala Peak in Nepal. Their shared journey of laughter, struggle, and solidarity marks the 50th anniversary of Junko Tabei’s historic Everest summit, celebrating resilience, remembrance, and the unbreakable bond of women lifting each other up.

UK / 20’

Celebrating Junko Tabei

ONE STEP AHEAD

ANTHONY BONELLO

Norwegian skier Bernt Marius gets back to doing what he loves: skiing big lines in the Sunnmøre Alps after losing his leg in an accident. A raw, honest look at what it takes to keep moving forward when everything changes.

CANADA / 14’

Snow Night

PUMP TRACK BUT IT’S CLEAN

PHIL GOLSTON

Hop in the van and join Trash Free Trails on their spring tour of pump tracks. Travelling from Cheddar to Fort William, meet the shredders taking action to care for these invaluable places where the connection is ripe, and the ride is only the beginning.

UK / 9’

Bike Night

SALT

ALICE WARD

Sodium chloride is vital for all life, serving as the primary salt in seawater and an essential compound within our bodies. This short film explores the role salt has played throughout filmmaker Alice Ward’s life.

IRELAND / 12’

Ocean & Seas Session

SAUNDERS MOUNTAIN

MARATHON

JANIE OATES

Join fell running pals Janie and Charlie as they take on the Saunders Mountain Marathon — a two-day mountain running and navigation event held annually in the Lake District. Along the way, there’ll be plenty of laughs, a few mishaps, but always lots of adventure.

UK / 6’

Running Session

SLIPSTREAM

GRAEME MEIKLEJOHN

A young woman finds her passion for the things she once loved diminished. Through a gathering of like minded souls she manages to rekindle her flame.

CANADA / 5’

Snow Night

SHIFT THA CULTURE

MALIK MARTIN

Pro snowboarder Zeb Powell goes on a journey of self-discovery and cultural impact. Set against the backdrop of Burton’s annual Culture Shifters event, the film explores Zeb’s evolving connection to his Black identity and his mission to bring diversity to the mountains.

USA / 15’

Snow Night

SIMPLE AS A TURN

PIERRE CADOT, MATHIEU DELINE, THOMAS GUERRIN

For Nicholas Wolken, turning is more than snowboarding’s foundation. It’s the simplest expression of what riding is all about.

FRANCE / 15’

Human Powered Session

SOLIDARITY IN MOTION

CALEB YULE

The Sanctuary Runners were formed to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and local residents through running — this film shares their journey of taking part in the Brighton Marathon and the Brighton and Hove 10k.

UK / 11’

Running Session

STREAMERS, STEAMERS, AND STRUGGLES

ROK ROZMAN, ROŽLE

Four kayakers (ab)use rafting as a means to catch fish on Slovenia’s chalk stream called Krka. Casting flies amongst castles and cattails, this becomes the arena for a gruelling competition that applies pressure of all kinds.

SLOVENIA / 8’

Hooked: Fishing Adventures From Around The World

g line it goes as far as you go.

SWIM SISTAS

CATHERINE JOY WHITE

From a young girl diving into joy, to Great Britain’s first and only Black female Olympic swimmer, to a woman learning at 54 — generations of Black women reclaim their place in the water. A celebration of connection, resilience, and hope told through the lens of the rising tide of Black women reclaiming their place in the water, and in history.

UK / 11’

Outdoor Swimming Session

THE BELLS

EMMA CROME

Earlier this year, Lakes legend Rob Matheson announced he was going to attempt the classic, uber-bold line The Bells, The Bells! at Craig Gogarth. Hang on a minute… a 74-year-old attempting a route graded E7 6b? The climbing world was agog. This film profiles Rob and a route where falling is really not a good idea.

UK / 10’

The Bells Film Premiere

The Way Down Here

THE LOST BOYS OF CARBIS BAY

DANIEL SIMPKINS

A daring band of unlikely explorers embarking on a quest to uncover the forgotten mines of Cornwall, only to unearth an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Transcending mere adrenaline urges, the group becomes a vital means of connection and understanding, underscoring the importance of community in our lives.

UK / 29’

Underground Session

THE

WAY DOWN HERE

ANNIE NESTA

The North Devon and Cornish coastline is home to some of the UK’s most underappreciated and esoteric bouldering, with adventurous approaches and stunning rock formations. Local climbers Ruby, Kyle, and Solly have been exploring their local patch and developing new routes — a project five years in the making, the film follows the trio as they establish new lines from V4 to V15.

UK / 33’

Bouldering Session

THE WARM UP VINCE LAPOINTE

An ego-filled boulderer slips into madness as he fails to send a warm up climb.

CANADA / 7’

Bouldering Session

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE ELLIE GREEN, MATT GREEN

A portrait of ultrarunner Tom Hollins as he embarks on a relentless, self-supported winter attempt to set a new record across the 214 Wainwright peaks in the Lake District.

UK / 6’

Below Zero Session

WILD ATLANTIC SALMON: RESTORING THE RUN

BEN SATTERLEE

Follow conservationists, anglers, and Indigenous leaders who are working to revive salmon runs that have been decimated by habitat loss, dams, and climate change.

UK / 14’

Hooked: Fishing Adventures From Around The World

TAKING COMFORT TO EXTREMES

MEET RACHEL at Bike Night, Friday, 21 November, 8pm

FEATURE & STAND ALONE FILMS

MOUNTAIN

A THOUSAND WORDS

9pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

From the dusty archives of the Alpine Club to the heart of the Himalayas, filmmakers Matt Sharman and Dom Bush follow in the footsteps of Vittorio Sella – the pioneer who captured the first images of Mount Everest 125 years ago. The team set out for Nepal to find the exact spot where Sella stood in 1899, then recreate the iconic photograph on a large-format camera.

DOM BUSH, MATT SHARMAN / UK / 60’

EVEREST DARK

5.15pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

As the death toll on the world’s highest peak rises, this gripping film follows one of Nepal’s most legendary climbers as he leads an elite team of Sherpas on a life-threatening mission to retrieve fallen climbers from Everest’s Death Zone.

JEREME WATT / CANADA / 90’

CLIMB

BRIT ROCK

4.30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

TRAD STARS

Celebrating an amazing year of British trad climbing with jaw-dropping onsights from Siebe Vanhee, Robbie Phillips, Ian Cooper, Billy Ridal and Katie Keely, plus blind climber Jesse Dufton on his hardest non-sight to date.

LITTLE WINGS

At 5’2”, Tina Breslin’s lack of reach plus an ADHD diagnosis provide challenges; this film is a charming exploration of the mental benefits of climbing, and of the focus that can be found through commitment to high-ball soloing.

FROSTBITTEN

8.15pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

In 1999, Nigel Vardy survived a deadly storm on Mt. McKinley (now called Denali) thanks to a record-breaking rescue. Now, 25 years later, he returns to honour the rescuers and medical teams who saved him, reflect on the journey that gave him a second chance at life, and to learn more about what drives these incredible rescuers and what makes them who they are.

DAVID HANNA / UK / 44’

K2: CHASING SHADOWS

8.30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Buckle up for Benjamin Védrines’ intimate and riveting journey up K2, where moments of triumph and challenge, including a lifechanging rescue effort, lead Benjamin to a profound sense of self.

HUGO CLOUZEAU & DAVID ARNAUD FRANCE / 66’

The North Face Film Session

GIRL CLIMBER

8.45pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

7pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

K2 MON AMOUR

12.15pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

In the summer 2024, Liv Sansoz and Zéb Roche set out to summit K2, 8611m, without oxygen with a crazy dream: to fly off the summit together on a paraglider. With spectacular unseen images, the film is much more than a summit attempt, it is an ode to the wild and raw beauty of K2.

MATHIEU RIVOIRE / FRANCE / 40’

THE LAST EXPEDITION

6.30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Filmmaker and mountaineer Eliza Kubarska goes in search of Wanda Rutkiewicz, who disappeared in the Himalayas 30 years ago. Some say that Wanda had planned her disappearance, and was hiding in a Tibetan monastery. Eliza follows in the footsteps of Wanda’s last expedition from Nepal to Tibet over the highest peaks to Kanchenjunga to find out what really happened.

ELIZA KUBARSKA / POLAND / 79’

NATURE & ENVIRONMENT

SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS

9.30am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 1

ALASTAIR LEE / UK / 50’ & 25’

CLIMBING INTO LIFE

9am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

3.30pm Saturday 22 November 5pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Dierdre Wolownick is the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite. Never an athlete, she excelled in languages, art, music and other intellectual pursuits, but in her 60s she began climbing out of curiosity; her son, Alex Honnold, seemed to be having too much fun. Dierdre’s story proves that we are never too old to try something new.

MELISSA J DAVEY / USA / 52’

Professional climber Emily Harrington has summited Everest, Cho Oyu, and dominated the competition circuit, but her greatest challenge extends beyond the physical. To cement her legacy in the male-dominated world of elite rock climbing, she sets her sights on a career-defining 24-hour ascent of Yosemite’s El Capitan. Caught between the pursuit of personal ambition and the ticking biological clock of life, a near-fatal fall forces Emily to reckon with what she’s willing to risk.

JON GLASSBERG / USA / 82’

CATCHING PINECONES

3.30pm Friday 21 November

9pm Saturday 22 November

3.15pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

This is the story of Jan and Herb Conn, pioneering rock climbers and cave explorers who lived life to the fullest on their own terms. Rejecting a conventional lifestyle in pursuit of adventure and fun, the Conns’ story reveals a legacy of renowned discoveries and their philosophies for a simple, well-lived life.

CHAD HEDDLESTON / USA / 71’

The inspiring story of an unlikely yet powerful friendship between two Indigenous women in one of the most isolated corners of the Himalayas. The film follows local snow leopard conservationist Tshiring Lhamu Lama as she mentors 17-year-old Tenzin Bhuti Gurung. Together, they journey through the treacherous yet breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas in search of the last remaining endangered snow leopards. Through intimate verité footage and stunning cinematography, the film highlights the power of women’s voices in conservation, shaping a better future for themselves and the elusive snow leopards.

BEN AYERS, SONAM CHOEKYI LAMA, ANDREW LYNCH / UK / 95’

EXPLORE

DEEPER

8.30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Having achieved worldwide acclaim for his crucial role in the death-defying rescue of a young Thai soccer team, Richard “Harry” Harris embarks on a perilous new cave diving expedition that will push the limits of adventure and force him to confront his deepest fears.

JEN PEEDOM / AUSTRALIA / 90’

ROW OF LIFE

3.45pm Friday 21 November

The Box - Kendal College

In 2020, Paralympic medalist and 16x Guinness World Record holder Angela Madsen attempted her final solo Ocean row, 2,400 miles from Los Angeles to Hawaii. The film is a poetic story of bravery, resilience, and love between Angela and her wife Deb – separated by a vast ocean – supporting each other’s dreams, despite the dangers involved.

SORAYA SIMI / USA / 82’

THE EDGE OF EXISTENCE

6.30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

The Edge of Existence captures the incredible and emotional story of Cam Cameron, electronics teacher, devoted father and husband, as he attempts to survive 60 days on Rockall, the UK’s most remote and dangerous island. What compels a man to risk everything for a symbolic milestone? And at what cost to those who love him?

AARON WHEELER / UK / 85’

THE LONELIEST RACE

4.15pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Sailing around the world, alone, non-stop, without any technology, this intimate documentary delves into the emotional and physical trials of underdog sailors in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. This non-stop, 50,000 km solo sailing race is the world’s longest and most mentally gruelling sporting event, pushing competitors to the limit with no fuel, no technology, and complete isolation. The film follows sailors Kirsten Neuschäfer, the race’s sole woman, and Abhilash Tomy, a former Indian Naval Commander, among others who rely on ingenuity and luck to survive 300 days adrift in the ocean.

ALEXANDER CRAIG / CANADA / 91’

DISASTER STYLE PARENTING

9.45am Saturday 22 November

The Venue at the Barrel House Climbers Zoe Hart and her husband, Maxime Turgeon share wild nature and sport with their sons, Mathias and Mika — from backcountry hut skiing in Italy to lessons in dirtbagging along the French coast and growing food at their home in Chamonix, France. “If you push your kids past what they think is possible,” explains Zoe, “whether it’s being cold or tired or wet, they’ll learn they have the capacity to do way more than they thought they could.”

PIERRE CADOT / FRANCE / 25’

PEOPLE & PLACE

IRON WINTER

9.45am Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Studio

1.30pm Saturday 22 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In Mongolia’s Tsakhir Valley, Batbold faces the greatest challenge of his young life: safeguarding 1,000 horses during the deadliest winter on record. With the future of his community at stake, he must choose between upholding the values that define his culture, or abandon them for the lure of city life.

KASIMIR BURGESS / AUSTRALIA / 90’

ALL THE MOUNTAINS GIVE

8pm Thursday 20 November

9pm Friday 21 November

9.45am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Due to widespread poverty in the Kurdish cities of Iran, many people earn a living by smuggling household goods over Iran and Iraq’s perilous mountain border. This form of smuggling is called Kolbari and the people who do this job are called Kolbar. This is an intimate portrait of Hamid and Yaser, two close friends who are forced into Kolbari.

ARASH RAKHSHA / IRAN / 90’

SADPARA

6.30pm Thursday 20 November

2pm Friday 21 November

11.45am Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

Iconic big mountains are most often associated with big objectives and big dreams. But what about those whose lives are inseparably intertwined with them? Sadpara is a journey through the heart of Pakistan’s mountains that explores the bond that unites its people with the high lands.

GABRIELE CANU / ITALY / 50’

Photograph by Al Mackinnon

BIKE RUN

OFF COURSE

1pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Stephanie Case and Sophie Grant are worldclass ultrarunners, celebrated for pushing their bodies to the edge in some of the most unforgiving races on Earth. Yet no finish line could prepare them for the most relentless and unpredictable challenge of all: the road to motherhood. This is not a story of victory or defeat — it’s about what happens in the space between, when life goes off course.

CARRIE HIGHMAN, TIM HIGHMAN

USA / 75’

STEPS

5.30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In search of home, Ugandan-born runner Deo Kato attempts the impossible, to tell the story of human migration with his feet, running 13,500 kilometres from Cape Town to London. Spanning seventeen months and two continents, Deo’s journey evolves from physical challenge to personal reckoning.

PHIL YOUNG / UK / 36’

TALA

8.30pm Friday 21 November

Brewery Arts - Theatre

Elite runner Fernanda Maciel tackles the 800km GR11 trail across the spine of the Pyrenees. Her 12-day journey is a test of both physical endurance and the catalyst to an understanding of the psychology that drives her on…and on.

JOEL BADIA / BRAZIL / 15’

The North Face Film Session

Y DDRAIG (THE DRAGON)

8.15pm Thursday 20 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 2

Former professional climber and elite mountain runner Shane Ohly attempts the unimaginable, to conquer the Dragon’s Back Race in a single, non-stop push. Spanning 380km from Conwy to Cardiff, this iconic Welsh challenge is typically completed over 6 days. Supported by a dedicated crew of friends, Shane’s journey is an extraordinary test of physical and mental endurance.

RICHARD HEAP / UK / 60’

RISE UP

OUR LAND

12.30pm Sunday 23 November

The Box – Kendal College

Through organised ‘mass trespass’ events, the Right to Roam movement sets out to increase public access to nature, but finds itself in conflict with England’s landowners. Our Land seamlessly juxtaposes the two sides of the debate around our access to nature: those fighting for greater access to the countryside and the landowners who claim to be stewards of the land. Blending history with an eye on the future, Our Land charts the conflict, exploring the complex issues of access, custodianship, and conservation. And as the battle for nature continues the film asks the vital question, who truly has the right to roam?

ORBAN WALLACE / UK / 90’

FIT FOR LIFE - DARE TO DREAM

8.15pm Thursday 20 November

The Box - Kendal College

Join Jack Lowe (82 years) and Jiggs Barasara (50 years) as they attempt an ambitious cycling trip of 320 km and 10,000 vertical metres in just 7 days across the classic climbs featured in the Tour de France. Phil Liggett, legendary cycle-race commentator, sets the scene each day and world-class experts reveal the secret sauce in healthy aging to inspire us all to Dare to Dream and be ambitious for our Elderhood in the latter third of our lives.

KEITH PARTRIDGE, TANIA COTTON FRANCE / 57’

A TOUR DIVIDE

ULTRA CYCLING FILM: LIFE IN THE MIDPACK

7pm Friday 21 November 5pm Saturday 22 November 1.15pm Sunday 23 November

Brewery Arts - Screen 3

In 2025, Josh Reid was one of 250 competitors in the iconic Tour Divide, a 2,700-mile off-road bikepacking race that takes riders from Southern Canada to the US-Mexico border on mostly elevated dirt trails following the Continental Divide, the crest of the Rocky Mountains.

JOSH REID / UK / 78’

DIGITAL ARTS PROGRAMME

The Digital Arts Programme celebrates digital, experimental, and film-based art rooted in the themes of the outdoors, nature, environment, and adventure.

ARCTIC ICE: UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN

MICHELLE SANDERS

A love letter to the fragile beauty of Arctic ice –and a warning of its rapid disappearance.

UK / 3’

BOGGART

BEN HORRIGAN

Poet Matt Sowerby reimagines Cumbria’s folkloric boggart as both product and protector of the peat bog.

UK / 2’

OFFERING

BEN HORRIGAN

Cumbria’s peat bogs conceal ancient roads, buried butter – and perhaps the planet’s salvation.

UK / 2’

STREAMING

BEN HORRIGAN

Matt Sowerby tells the story of the osprey’s extinction – and hopeful return – to England’s skies.

UK / 2’

VOICES OF THE MOUNTAINS

LABORATORY FOR VISUAL STORYTELLING

A reflection on how shifting natural balances reshape human life, habits, and survival.

TAJIKISTAN / 10’

LES VESTIGES

See the films at the Brewery Arts on digital screens located in the foyer entrance space at the venue. Free to view

REBECCA BIRCH, SARAH CASEY

Heat-reactive drawings reveal the fragile intersection of glacial archaeology and climate change.

UK / 13’

BITTERNS

LOU SUMRAY

A short animation inspired by the haunting calls of Bitterns in Leeds.

UK / 1’

GREEN

LYDIA WONHAM, JOEL PORTER

Amid the quiet of a garden, Bee finds reflection, connection, and growth through nature.

UK / 5’

CHASING ICE SPIRITS

AT DAWN

ANNE WAGGOT KNOTT

A digital sketchbook exploring bothies, huts, and rural solitude.

UK / 7’

IN-HABIT-OUT

ANNE WAGGOT KNOTT

Spoken word and manipulated imagery explore how isolated buildings connect us with the wild.

UK / 4’

GENTLE AS MOSS ON STONE

VICKY ISLEY, PAUL SMITH

A retired bryologist shares the secret wisdom of moss with his granddaughter in this tender fable.

UK / 11’

POW: A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH SOFIE PAULUS / GUILLAUME DESRUES / ADAM RAJA

Three short films from Protect Our Winters show how adventure can be thrilling, responsible, and transformative.

UK / 6’

KENDAL MOUNTAIN FILM INDUSTRY EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

PRESENTED BY RED DIGITAL CINEMA

Inspiration, connections, and practical insights for outdoor and adventure storytelling. Whether you’re new to filmmaking or an industry veteran, join us to network, solve challenges, and enrich your toolkit.

CAPTURING THE WILD:

RED’S CINEMATOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

9.30 - 10.30am Friday 21 November

Join RED Digital Cinema’s product specialist Al Ward for an exclusive hands-on workshop exploring the power of RED’s latest camera lineup — the KOMODO-X, V-RAPTOR XE, and V-RAPTOR [X].

MASTERCLASS: POST-PRODUCTION IN FILM

11am - 12pm Friday 21 November

Ever wondered what happens after the cameras stop rolling? Join our Post-Production Masterclass to see how expert teams transform raw footage into compelling stories.

RED OPEN HOUSE: MEET THE TEAM, TEST THE TECH

12.30 - 3pm Friday 21 November

Drop in and meet the RED Digital Cinema team to explore their latest camera systems up close — the KOMODO-X, V-RAPTOR XE, and V-RAPTOR [X].

BRANDED STORYTELLING: THE FUTURE OF ADVENTURE FILMMAKING

3.30 - 4.30pm Friday 21 November

In a world saturated with adverts, how can brands and filmmakers join forces to craft stories that truly resonate?

CREATIVE ACCESS: FIND A RADICAL EDGE FOR YOUR FILMMAKING

10 - 11am Saturday 22 November

Join filmmakers Danielle and Poppy from Find It Film for a workshop on accessibility in film.

All events taking are place at The Quaker Tapestry Friends Meeting Room, Stramongate, Kendal LA9 4BH Free for invited filmmakers | Limited tickets £7.50 for other attendees

FROM EXPEDITION TO EPISODE: TURNING WILD JOURNEYS INTO COMPELLING STORIES

11.30am - 12.30pm Saturday 22 November

What does it take to transform an extraordinary expedition into a broadcast-worthy TV episode?

STORIES FOR THE FUTURE: AI, ETHICS, AND CONSERVATION IN FILM AND TELEVISION

1 - 2pm Saturday 22 November

In a fast-evolving world, how does AI shape the future of film, television, and even our understanding of the natural world?

STORYTELLING IN THE WILD: THE ART AND ETHICS OF FILMING IN FRAGILE PLACES

2.30 - 3.30pm Saturday 22 November

From the Amazon rainforest to remote Himalayan villages, adventure storytelling carries a responsibility. This panel explores the line between showcasing wild beauty and unintentionally exploiting it.

TOGETHER FOR CHANGE: TRANSFORMING CLIMATE STORYTELLING

3.45 - 4.45pm Saturday 22 November

In a world where climate narratives often feel distant or detached, it’s time to bring the urgency and humanity of the climate crisis into the spotlight.

POWER OF

RED

RED delivers the most powerful, advanced, and versatile cinema camera performance on the market. Featuring a full lineup of no-compromise global shutter sensors, up to 8K resolution, industry-leading low light performance, and compact, reliable form factors, RED empowers filmmakers to capture cinematic imagery in any environment.

WELCOME TO KENDAL MOUNTAIN BOOK FESTIVAL

The third weekend of November in Kendal is unlike anywhere else. It’s when the town bursts into life — a vibrant mix of energy and insight, raucous celebration and quiet reflection. High tales of adventure meets thoughtful conversation. Spontaneity and creativity take over the streets, venues, and hillsides. A home for stories shaped by wild places.

Organised by a passionate team who believe in the power of words and inclusive celebration, the Festival welcomes everyone to join this vibrant community of books, creativity, and connection.

This year’s theme is hope . With over 30 book events – talks, performances, and conversations – we invite you on an uplifting journey full of adventure and wonder for the world.

Join us on a journey that spans the extremes of the Earth — from the unforgiving chill of the Arctic’s Northwest Passage to the untamed, mountainous beauty of Greece’s Prespa region, from the glow of Norway’s midnight sun to the legendary slopes of Everest, and from Europe’s wildest frontiers to the striking, windswept shores of Morecambe Bay.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We’d like to say a big thanks to our presenting partner Inghams Walking; to our support partners Danner and Mountain Equipment; and our supporters Blundstone, Gestalten, Lancaster University and River Action UK.

FOLLOW US! @kendalmountainbookfest

PICK UP A BOOK FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

For more information - look for our Book Festival Programme at our Info Desk and Box Office at the Brewery Arts.

A WORD FROM OUR PATRON ROBERT MACFARLANE

Just over a year ago, the dedamming of the mighty Klamath River in Oregon/California was completed. Three huge dams were dismantled, and for the first time in a century the river ran free. Within days, migratory salmon were recorded moving upstream to spawn in the headwaters of the Klamath. By spring this year, the banks of what had formerly been reservoirs were blazing orange with poppy blossom. And this summer, young people from the various Klamath River Basin tribal nations made the first sourceto-sea kayak descent of the river in 100 years.

The revival of the Klamath is one of the most hopeful stories I know from the past few hope-stripped years. It’s also a reminder that hope is a discipline. By this I mean that real hope, radical hope, requires both the imagining of a better possible world and the work required to realise that world. When the campaign to de-dam the Klamath began twenty years ago, it was laughably implausible. But people organised, built alliances, chipped away –– and told new-old stories about what could be.

“Hope” is this year’s Festival theme, and we need all the hope we can get right now. Hope is the break in the weather. Hope is a glimpse of other ways of being and seeing. Hope is a rescuer’s torchlight in darkness. Hope is working together. “Hope”, as the poet Emily Dickinson put it, “is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul.”

BOARDMAN TASKER AWARD FOR MOUNTAIN LITERATURE

SHORTLISTED AUTHORS EVENT

7 – 9pm Friday 21 Nov | Brewery Arts Malt Room | Tickets £13.50

On 17th May 1982 Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker were last seen on Mount Everest attempting to traverse The Pinnacles on the unclimbed North East Ridge. Their deaths marked the end of their contribution to a remarkable era in British mountaineering.

The Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature highlights afresh the memory of Pete and Joe, and it also seeks to do more than just that. The BT Award recognises, and rewards outstanding literature concerned with the mountain environment: books which will in turn challenge and inspire their readers, perhaps to climb or explore the world of mountains, perhaps to write or even look at the world in a different way.

Perpetuating and refreshing the challenge and inspiration of mountains through literature is one way in which we seek to remember Pete and Joe.

RICK ACCOMAZZO TOBIN, THE STONEMASTERS & ME

A powerful tribute to Sorenson, who died tragically at a young age, and a vivid portrait of a golden era of climbing.

MOLLIE HUGHES BREATHE

The winner is a book that Pete and Joe would be proud to be associated with.

In the forty-second year of the award, there were 28 entries from the UK, Canada, France, Finland, India, Ireland, New Zealand, USA and South Korea. The BT Award event will contain readings from the shortlisted authors, and they will be in conversation with Helen Mort, award winning poet, author and co-winner of the 2021 Boardman Tasker Award.

The Judges for 2025 were Rehan Siddiqui (Chair), Brian Hall and Nandini Purandare. They have selected the following seven books for the 2025 Shortlist:

MARK AGNEW THERE WILL BE HEADWINDS

The author recounts his journey as part of the first team to kayak the Northwest Passage. A story about teamwork, perseverance, and personal growth in an epic adventure.

An inspiring account by Mollie Hughes of exploring some of the Earth’s wildest environments. Sharing her view on self-belief and lessons learnt from epic challenges.

PAUL BESLEY THE SEARCH

Paul’s life was transformed following a a mountain rescue team saving his life. Inspired by his rescue he joined a mountain rescue team and trains his Border Collie puppy, Scout, to become a search dog.

DAVE MACLEOD MOVING THE NEEDLE

A memoir focussed on the author’s journey from an average climber to an elite, world-renowned athlete, using trainable skills and behavioural traits to achieve his goals.

FESTIVAL BOOKSHOP

Inside the Basecamp Village

Looking for your next read? We’ve got all your reading needs covered at our Festival bookshop. We will stock all the books from our current programme. Come in for a browse, be inspired and take away a cracking read. It’s the perfect place for buying your Christmas presents. The shop stocks titles by all our visiting authors, an array of related literature and many other items including flasks, carabiners, chalkbags and our Festival poster.

Opening Times: Friday & Saturday 9.30am to 7pm | Sunday 9.30am to 5pm

NATHALIA HOLT THE BEAST IN THE CLOUDS In 1928 Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt, two sons of President Theodore Roosevelt, embark on an expedition to the Chinese Himalayas to find and capture a live specimen of the giant panda.

IAIN PETERS THE CORRIDOR

Iain recounts his life as a climber and teacher, revealing how his passion for wild places and adventure served as a means of survival and a form of recovery from childhood trauma.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Book signings will take place immediately after events – either in the venue or near by. There will be books available at each event to be purchased in order to be signed.

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY AT KENDAL

Visual arts remain an integral part of Kendal Mountain Festival and we have worked closely with Brewery Arts to curate a diverse range of artwork from talented local and national artists. Dive in and enjoy each artist’s contribution to the ‘Outdoor’ genre and their personal celebration of landscape, nature and place.

BREWERY ARTS

A THOUSAND WORDS

Supported by KE Adventures

DOM BUSH, MATT SHARMAN & SIMON SYLVESTER

Sugar Store Gallery

Three adventurers set out to find a needle in the haystack of the Himalayas, guided by a 125-year old photograph... what could go wrong?

From the dusty archives of the Alpine Club to northern Italy and the darkroom of iconic Italian photographer Vittorio Sella – from the bustling streets of Kathmandu to the flanks of Kangchenjunga – this exhibition draws on images old and new in a celebration of mountain photography.

5 November to 30 November

Free Entry

ENCOUNTERS POLLY TOWNSEND

The Foyer

Polly Townsend’s paintings are inspired by journeys through many of the most remote and hostile landscapes in the world, from Antarctica to Death Valley. Townsend is drawn to the paradoxes of these extreme environments. The landscapes she inhabits are vast, unyielding and seemingly hostile to life, yet volatile, vital and often the most lifesustaining ecosystems on earth. In 2024, Polly was Artist in Residence in Antarctica, spending five weeks travelling with the Royal Navy, she was also shortlisted for the Contemporary British Painting Prize, and awarded second prize in the international Derwent Drawing Competition.

5 November to 30 November

Free Entry

NO HANDS REST WE ARE SUBCULTURE

We Are Subculture is a photography project celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of people in the outdoor climbing community. It was set out to increase visibility of underrepresented groups and encourage climbers to express themselves artistically. These images alongside personal stories have been released in a book with all profits being donated to Mind charity.

No Hands Rest, Riverside Place, Kendal, LA9 7FH

18 November 2025 to 31 January 2026

Tuesday to Sunday

Free Entry

HEATON COOPER STUDIO

BEFORE AND AFTER EVEREST THE ART OF HOWARD SOMERVELL

Born in Kendal in 1890, Howard Somervell was one of the leading climbers on the 1922 and 1924 British expeditions to Everest. He was an acclaimed artist, especially of mountain scenes and other landscapes. Many of his paintings are based on sketches he made on his climbing expeditions to Everest, other Himalayan mountains, and the Alps.

Heaton Cooper Studio, Grasmere, LA22 9SX 15 October to 23 November

Open daily 9am – 5pm

Free Entry

CROSS LANE PROJECTS GALLERY

COLOUR, LIGHT, SOUND, SILENCE MARCUS VERGETTE & SIMON MARSH

Marcus and Simon met in 1980 at Central School of Art & Design in London and have been friends ever since. In the intervening years both artists have continued their practice; Vergette’s focus developed to explore sculpture and sound, Marsh became a printmaker and has recently been exploring stained glass and experimental forms.

Cross Lane Projects Gallery, Kendal, LA9 5LB 20 to 23 November Tuesday to Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Free Entry

THE FACTORY SPACE2CREATE

Space2Create is a charity supporting vulnerable adults through creative activity to improve mental and physical wellbeing. To coincide with the Festival, we’re hosting an exhibition showcasing artwork inspired by the outdoors. Discover and purchase affordable handmade pieces created by our artists, supporting recovery through creativity.

Unit 31, The Factory, Aynam Road, LA9 7DE 21 to 23 November 10am – 4pm Free Entry

WINDERMERE JETTY MUSEUM

JULIET KLOTTRUP: AN ARCHIVE

Explore Windermere life through the eyes of award-winning visual artist Juliet Klottrup. This exhibition of photography and paintings celebrates the people, stories and heritage of Windermere. For An Archive, Juliet has spent months embedded within the life of Windermere Jetty Museum, from its boat conservation workshop to encounters with visitors, local residents, and those who live and work on the lake.

Windermere Jetty Museum, Rayrigg Rd, Windermere, LA23 1BN

11 October to 31 May 10am – 5pm This exhibition is included with museum admission. Lakeland Arts members and Annual Pass holders go free.

Built for

The Volk swagen Golf R embodies the same spirit of challenge and adventure celebrated at the Kendal Mount ain Festival. A s your local Volk swagen Ret ailer for over 50 years, Hadwins Volk swagen is proud to showcase the R range right here in the L ake Distric t . Golf R Black Edition: Power consumption combined: 8.5-8.2 l/100 km; CO₂-emissions combined: 192-185 g/km; CO₂-class: G

Hadwins Volkswagen Lindale, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6LP Tel: 015395 34242 hadwinsvolkswagen.co.uk

KENDAL MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

The Photography Competition aims to celebrate the unique power of a single photograph to inspire, challenge, and spark reflection. Photographers were invited to submit to the following categories:

Best Outdoor Landscape - presented by SportsShoes

Best Action – presented by SportsShoes

Power of Calm – presented by Goodrays

From the selected images, an overall Grand Prize winner and runner up were chosen, images which capture the art of the outdoors and sport with delicate precision.

You can see all 8 winners and runners up images around Kendal at various locations.

Congratulations to the photographers:

Grand Prize Winner – Dune by Julia Roger-Veyer

Grand Prize Runner Up – Family Day Out by Peter Howarth

Best Action Winner – Dropping In by James Vincent

Best Action Runner Up – Rock and Roll by Jake Holland

Power Of Calm Winner – Sunset Dip by Tom McNally

Power Of Calm Runner Up – Hyperspace by Scott M Salt

Best Outdoor Landscape Winner – Spindrift Man by Graham Niven

Best Outdoor Landscape Runner Up – Bow Fiddle Rock – Moray Coast by Keith

DISCOVER BASECAMP VILLAGE A FESTIVAL WITHIN A FESTIVAL!

Now in its fifth year, our Basecamp Village is back and better than ever! We have three exciting new venues for you to discover – the SportsShoes Hub, the Volkswagen R Performance Hub, and the Pilgrim’s Refuge – for a whole range of immersive sessions.

The Passenger Gallery Stage is back, with expert-led workshops, demonstrations, conversations, and social events; and the Yurt presented by YETI returns to host a packed programme in a cosy, fire-warmed setting.

Crafted from up-cycled wood pallets and decorated with vibrant Nepalese prayer flags, Basecamp Village is the bustling heart of Kendal Mountain Festival. Explore a wide array of outdoor-focused brands and organisations, and tune into inspiring talks and film clips with the bluetooth headphones on the deuter Bothy and Osprey Adventure Stages. Meanwhile, the Teepee will host an exciting lineup of outdoor and environmental charities, offering plenty of opportunities to connect and learn.

Hungry? We’ve got you covered with an expanded food & drink court, featuring a variety of local suppliers including local beers. Whether you’re seeking a break between films or looking to dive into live entertainment, Basecamp is the perfect place to connect, rest, and discover.

Join us at Basecamp Village and make unforgettable memories at the heart of the Festival. As always, Basecamp remains 100% free and open to everyone!

OPENING TIMES

Friday 9.30am to 7pm

Saturday 9.30am to 7pm

Sunday 9.30am to 5pm FOOD COURT

Friday 9.30am to 9.15pm

Saturday 9.30am to 9.15pm

Sunday 9.30am to 5pm

FESTIVAL INFO DESK

Find the Info Desk in the entrance of the main tent in the Basecamp Village! Our friendly Festival Team will be on hand to update you on schedules, direct you to venues, and assist you with any Festival-related queries. Lost and Found will also be found at the Info Desk for help in reuiniting you with your belongings.

MERCHANDISE

Looking to take a piece of the Festival home? Our Merchandise is now featured in its own space within the Basecamp Marquee.

Browse our expanded selection, including a beautiful Festival poster, chalk bags, and this year’s branded flasks from Klean Kanteen — perfect for keeping you refreshed during your Festival adventures.

And stop by ‘Little Firs’ at the Gallery stage

EXHIBITING BRANDS

You will find the following brands, organisations, and charities inside and outside our Basecamp!

adidas TERREX • Alpkit • Atom Packs • Blundstone • Brompton Bicycles

Buffalo Systems • CampWild • Cotopaxi • Craghoppers

Danner Footwear • Darn Tough • deuter • Dometic • Endura • Fell Dog

Finisterre • Fjällräven • Garmin • Goodrays • Helly Hansen • Inghams

INOV8 • Jöttnar • Kandoo Adventures • Keela • KEEN • Klean Kanteen

Lowa • Mammut • Methodist Church • mont• bell • Montane

Mountain Equipment • NEBO • OM SYSTEM • ORTOVOV • Osprey

Passenger • Patagonia • Rab • SCARPA • SEA TO SUMMIT • Sherpa

Slaphappy Climbing • SportsShoes • Sprayway • Stance Socks

SUMS • Supernatural Fuel • Suunto • The Bucket List Company

Våga • Volkswagen R • YETI

Charities

Bendrigg • BMC Access and Conservation Trust

Climbers Against Cancer • Community Action Nepal

European Outdoor Conservation Association • Kendal Mountain Rescue

Millimetres To Mountains • Mind Over Mountains

Mountain Bothy Association • Outward Bound • PHASE Worldwide

Protect Our Winters • RSPB • Vegan Society • Woodland Trust

CAFES & BARS

Like outdoor adventure, attending our Festival can be hungry and thirsty work. We work with local vendors to offer a variety of food and drink at the Festival – including a delicious range of vegan and vegetarian options. Featuring Earthworm Kitchen, Joey’s Cafe, Coffee Bug, Fiery Mamma’s Pizza, Podda & Wren, Yardies Jamaican Street Food, Pappy’s Texas BBQ & Hallsford Farm Produce.

MORE BASECAMP FEATURES

• Outdoor screen - with short films to entertain.

• Lowa Lounge – where you can enjoy our special Festival mulled wine and live music.

• See the runners at the finish line of The North Face Kendal Skyline Ultra – next to the Abbot Hall Gallery.

• Basecamp Quiet Hours: We will host two dedicated Quiet Hours on Friday 21 and Sunday 23 9.30-11.30am.

• Bluetooth headphones are back: we will have 200 bluetooth headphones across the deuter Bothy and Osprey Adventure Stages, enabling the audience to block out background noise and engage with each on-stage conversation.

Due to licensing regulations, no dogs – apart from guide dogs – are permitted within the tents and yurts in the Basecamp Village.

Toilet facilities available including Accessible and Parent and Baby

Calmness is powerful.

It empowers us to be the very best versions of ourselves.

Because life isn’t about powering through.

It’s about tuning in

FIRE UP YOUR FOOTWORK.

Food & Drink at Kendal Mountain Festival

Visit the Brewery Arts venue and garden during the festival, offering great food and drink and a warm friendly welcome

Main Bar - in the Brewery Arts Building

Serving hot drinks and a wide range of cask ale, lager, cider, IPA, wines and spirits

Breakfast menu with bacon buns, sausage buns and vegan sausage buns

Festival menu with a wide range of delicious dishes

Tirril Tent Bar - in the Brewery Arts Garden

Serving a wide range of drinks, cask ale, lager, cider, IPA, wines & spirits

Swiss Alpine Raclette – delicious hot Raclette cheese melted over potatoes served with pickles, gherkins and ham (optional for vegetarians)

Wagtail Pies – the famous Wagtail pies served with rich gravy and mushy peas (plant based option available)

Homemade vegan soup and a roll

Main Bar open from 11am-11pm

Main Bar open from 8am-11pm

Breakfast served 8am to 11am

Food served 12pm-9pm

Main Bar open from 8am-late

Breakfast served 8am to 11am

Food served 12pm-9pm

Main Bar open from 8am-8pm

Breakfast served 8am to 11am

Food served 12pm-4pm

Tirril Tent Bar open from 4pm-10pm

Tirril Tent Bar open from 12pm-10pm Food served 12pm-8pm

Tirril Tent Bar open from 12pm-10pm Food served 12pm-8pm

Tirril Tent Bar open from 12pm-4pm Food served 12pm-3pm

DEUTER BOTHY STAGE

The deuter Bothy Stage hosts athletes, ambassadors, and adventurers – exclusive conversations hosted by our presenters Becki Vale, Rachael Crewesmith, Lauren Munro-Bennett, and George Lonsdale!

Free to attend, no ticket required. Times and talks subject to change – updates available at the Info Desk and on the chalk board in front of the stage.

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

9.45am Nikki Love Running into the Gap Exploring mindset, motivation, and midlife

10.30am Warren Smith Master the Slopes

A Ski Technique Workshop

Presented by Helly Hansen

11.15am Lou Astbury, Sam Manning & Ted Simpson Want to Catch a Fish? Plant a Tree

Presented by Blundstone

12pm Flinn McInerney Fall Smarter

The Blueprint for Better Bouldering

Presented by Slaphappy Climbing

12.45pm Dan Yates, Tom Carrick & Dom Ferris

How Adventure Leads to Activism, and Activism to Adventure Presented by deuter

1.45pm Ade Ola Meet the Women of Colour Cycling Collective

2.30pm Fillipo Sala & Sam Sykes Conquering “Luce e Tenebre” on Switzerland’s Punta Pioda Presented by Mammut

3.15pm Henry Schniewind & Mark Jones Backcountry Smarter The ground-breaking off-piste toolkit Presented by Ortovox

4pm Tom Livingstone Journey to the Top Presented by Mountain Equipment

4.45pm Lise Wortley, Grace T.S.P & Amy

Warren The Bride of Mont Blanc Behind the Scenes Presented by Passenger

5.30pm David Taylor, Vivienne Crow & Peter Howarth Outdoor Writing and Photography

Turning your hobbies into a successful career in the outdoors

6.15pm Yvette Cave & special guests Ocean Talks Presented by Finisterre & Oceanographic Magazine

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

9.45am Ange Harker King Charles III England Coast Path North West

10.30am Craig Mathieson & Holly Carroll

The Polar Academy Stories Presented by Rab

11.15am Matt Staniek Saving Windermere The latest from the Save Windermere campaign Presented by Patagonia

12pm Sallyann Hardwick, Sian Phillips, Caroline Nieuwenhuis & Sarah-Jane Brown The Cotopaxi ‘Do Good’ Panel with GoodGym and Trash Free Trails Presented by Cotopaxi

1pm Kathryn Roberts The Beginner’s Ascent Learning that made climbing Mont Blanc possible Presented by deuter

1.45pm Deo Kato CPT2LND Running from Cape Town to London to tell the story of human migration Presented by adidas TERREX

2.30pm Alice Sainsbury & Ed Jackson Berghaus Adapts Driving inclusion in adventure Presented by Berghaus

3.30pm The North Face Kendal Skyline Ultra Prize-giving Presented by The North Face

16.15pm Mike Guest & special guests Ocean Talks Presented by Finisterre & Oceanographic Magazine

5pm Dan Wroe, Kate Mulliner & Sam Sykes Learning the Ropes Our First 4000er Presented by Mammut

5.45pm The Garmin Team Connected Confidence Powered by Garmin inReach Technology Presented by Garmin

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

9.45am Renata Chlumska Beyond the Summit Lessons from a Life of Adventure Presented by Helly Hansen

10.30am Hazel Findlay & Sandra Mastropietro The Inner Summit Fear, Flow & the Stories That Carry Us Presented by Volkswagen R

11.15am The Turner Twins

Climbing Back In Time Comparing the past and present gear Presented by Montane 12am Grace Natoli & Angela Tomusange Black Trail Runners Making Waves at UTMB Presented by adidas TERREX

12.45pm Hannah Mitchell & Samantha Jagger Trust, Healing & Humour in Tajikistan’s Mountains Presented by deuter

1.30pm Guido Van De Water Landscape Photography Capturing the essence, emotion, and narrative in nature photography Presented by OM SYSTEM

2.15pm Tom Allen, Beki Henderson & Kate Rawles Adventures With Purpose Giving, Taking & Protecting Presented by the Royal Geographical Society

3.15pm Amy Hudson Amy’s Cycling Adventures Using determination to take on fear Presented by Garmin

4pm Toni-Ann Murphy & Aneela McKenna Opening Up The Outdoors Finding Community – The outdoors is for everyone Presented by Passenger

OPENING UP THE OUTDOORS®

OUTO PROGRAMMING

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

13:00–15:00 “Tune into the Trails” Hike hosted by Changemaker Tinuke Oydiran in collaboration with Goodrays. Leaving From The Goodray’s Truck

18:00–19:30 OUTO x Passenger Meet & Greet Located at the Passenger booth in Basecamp

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

14:00–16:00 OUTO x Patagonia Meet & Greet Located at the Patagonia booth in Basecamp

17:15-19:00 Panel Discussion and Mixer

Discussing the findings from our debut research report: Belonging Without Barriers. Followed by a mixer. Adventure Stage, Basecamp

OUTO CHANGEMAKER PROGRAMMING

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

19:30 Women in Adventure – Presented by Arc’teryx With guest panelist, OUTO Changemaker Vedangi Kulkarni Kendal Town Hall – Assembly Room

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

11:00 Together in Nature Walk With Tinuke Oyediran Leaving from the Gallery Stage

13:45–14:30 24 Hours in Nature –presented by Campwild With Tinuke Oyediran Gallery Stage

16:00–16:30 Making the Outdoors Inclusive Panel joined by OUTO Changemaker, Toni-Ann Murphy, Council Member Aneela McKenna, and Brand Partner, Passenger Bothy Stage

17:00 Best of Kendal: Yellow – Presented by Rab Presented by Yvette Cave Brewery Arts – Screen Two

OSPREY ADVENTURE STAGE

The Osprey Adventure Stage hosts charities, activists, community groups, creatives, and more – exclusive conversations hosted by our presenters Becki Vale, Rachael Crewesmith, Lauren Munro-Bennett, and George Lonsdale!

Free to attend, no ticket required. Times and talks subject to change – updates available at the Info Desk and on the chalk board in front of the stage.

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

10am Scott Cornish The Positive Intersection Between Outdoor Sports and Neurodiversity

10.45am Roger Hartl, Dom Bush, & Matt Sharman A Thousand Words Behind the film recreating the first photograph of Mount Everest

11.30am Harry Dowdney & Stu Downie Unfolding the Adventure

Presented by Brompton Bicycles

12.15pm Jo Moseley, Sara Barnes, Tina Codling & Graham Keene You’re Not Too Old and It’s Not Too Late

1.15pm James Benson-King The Power of the Micro Adventure You don’t need to cross continents to find adventure

2pm Mary-Ann Ochota, Lewis Winks & Aila Taylor Dartmoor Wild Camping We Won, Now What? The ‘win’ on Dartmoor isn’t the end 3pm Dora Atim, Zahra Rose & Lory Louves Diversity and Inclusivity in the Outdoors Pushing for change in the outdoor space Presented by Suunto

3.45pm Edward Kinnear Looking After Yourself and Others on the Hill Presented by Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team

4.30pm Graham Zimmerman, Emily Chappell, Iain Innes & Cat Ainsworth How the Adventures We Love Can Inspire the Climate Action We Need Presented by Protect Our Winters (POW)

5.15pm Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries, Maya McGregor & special guests Run, Walk, Welcome Changing the hostile narrative on migration in the UK

6.15pm Hamish McArthur & Sam Pratt A Season In Shadows Unfiltered insights into the mind of a pro-athlete Presented by Arc’teryx

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

10am Cal Major Ocean Connections, Community and Citizenship A Seaful Journey Presented by Patagonia

11am Imaan Yaseen & Maliyka Nasir Mountains, Miles, and Memories with Lindley Educational Trust Presented by Sprayway

11.45am Nic Hardy Peak Bagging Munros The Adventure Logistics – Do you aspire to walk Scotland’s 282 Munros? Presented by komoot

12.30pm Ben Fogle & James Sleater In Conversation with the Co-Owners of Buffalo Systems Presented by Buffalo Systems

1.15pm Taylor Massey, Abdul Zlitini & Jasper Kain Beyond the Trail Building Community Through Running with The Alpine Run Project

2.15pm Return to the Deep Capturing the essence of deep water soloing in Pembroke Presented by Osprey

3pm Adrian Trendall All Things Cuillin Insights from years of working in the Cuillin Presented by Keela

3.45pm Hazel Findlay & Sandra Mastropietro Women Who Rise Redefining Strength on Wall, Trail & Life Presented by Volkswagen R

4:30pm Rach Coleman, Phil Golston & Jacob Dixon Why Pump Tracks are the New Trails Worth Protecting Presented by Trash Free Trails

5.15pm Keme Nzerem, Yasmin Dufournet, Tinuke Oyediran & Reah Harris Belonging Without Barriers What the Research Tells Us Presented by Opening Up The Outdoors (OUTO) 6pm The OUTO Mixer! Presented by Opening Up The Outdoors (OUTO)

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

10am Caitlin & Callum The Outdoors on Your Door Step Uncover the barriers young people in Cumbria face in accessing the outdoors

10.45am Kate Owen & Eleanor Lampard Women’s Alpine Adventure Club Stories A community making alpine experiences available to more women

Presented by Rab

11.30am Eben Muse & Laura Cartwright Standing up for Wild Camping

Exclusive Terra Nova x BMC Film Preview

Presented by Terra Nova

12.15pm Mick Fowler 40 Years of Himalayan Climbing Tales Follow Mick’s distinguished career of pioneering unclimbed peaks

Presented by Berghaus

1pm Rebecca Dawson, Hannah Clarke, Dee Cox & Amanda Harrison

Inclusion in the hills A plus size perspective Presented by Osprey

2pm John Summerton & Aaron Rolph Mountains & Refuges Discover the new books Call of the Mountains and Alpine Refuges

Presented by Gestalten

3pm Tanya Kendrick & Mike Appleton

How do Outdoor Brands Give Back to Nature? Meet EOCA, a non-profit raising funds from brands to help them conserve and restore nature

Presented by Osprey

3.45pm Robbie Phillips Climbs and Shoes The previous ascents and shoes of choice of a pro climber

Presented by SCARPA

Founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1975, Montbell designs outdoor clothing and gear inspired by the principles

On this stage, hear the life-saving tales of the Kendal Mountain Search and Rescue Team and their trusty rescue dogs, and learn about the power of nature and meaningful escapism through panel talks and discussions presented by CampWild and Passenger.

The incredible Freshta Ibrahimi is back to share the impact of green spaces on refugee communities; Stu Skinner combats loneliness through his project Postcards from the Peaks; and Eoin Keenan busts common myths about CBD. The events on this stage include workshops and demonstrations, from watercolour to navigation. The Gallery Stage brings you closer to the heart of adventure, community, and survival.

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

12pm Stu Skinner Postcards from the Peak

Carrying a 26kg Royal Mail Postbox to conquer loneliness

1pm Freshta Ibrahimi & Lise Wortley

Inclusion, Nature, and Wellbeing

The impact of green spaces on refugee communities

Presented by Passenger

2pm Komoot Workshop

From Local Adventures to Epic Journeys

Ready to plan your next adventure? Presented by komoot

6.45pm Dom Darcy DJ Set

Presented by Passenger & Sole Clinic

THE PASSENGER GALLERY STAGE

The Gallery Stage is back – grab a coffee or a beer, settle in, and get inspired by the personal stories and practical insights from adventurers, experts, and creatives, with the beautiful backdrop of Passenger’s Little Firs bus! This venue is a cosy, no-frills space, perfect for slowing down and connecting.

Free to attend, no ticket required. Times and talks subject to change – updates available at the Info Desk and on the chalk board in front of the stage.

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

12pm Eoin Keenan Cannabis, Credibility and the Great Outdoors Rethinking nature’s most misunderstood plant Presented by Goodrays

1.15pm John Leadbitter & Jura the Dog Saving Lives – A Wet Nose, Waggy Tails Find out how Mountain Rescue uses Search Dogs Presented by Kendal Mountain Search & Rescue Team

2pm Jack Harries & Rich Sutcliffe

Finding Escapism: Slow Living In A Fast-Paced World Adventures from the road, slowing down, and everything in between Presented by Passenger

3pm Max Romey Trailbound Sketches: Live Watercolour A fast-paced live watercolour session inspired by the Lakes Presented by KEEN

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

1pm Charlotte Inman & Hetty Kingston Getting Started with Bikepacking Meet Sisters in the Wild Presented by Passenger

1.45pm Tinuke Oyediran, Danielle Wilson & Jen Jones

24 Hours in Nature

The power of staying in nature, not just passing through it

Presented by CampWild x Vango

THE PILGRIM’S REFUGE

PRESENTED BY THE METHODIST CHURCH

Introducing a brand new venue in Basecamp for you to discover – this is a safe space for quiet contemplation, home to morning meditations and free-to-attend sessions on connection, belonging, and pilgrimage.

Ground yourself before the busy day ahead, then enjoy the peace and quiet of the cosy yurt for a full programme of sessions. There will be live music, a creative workshop for families, and an exclusive conversation with Ben Fogle on purpose, connection and the sacredness of creation.

Free to attend, no ticket required. Times and talks subject to change –updates available at the Info Desk and at the Pilgrim’s Refuge.

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

9.30 - 10.15am Morning Contemplation

Before the bustle of the Festival begins, join us in the Refuge to meditate and contemplate.

11 - 11.45am Beyond the View

Seeing With Deeper Eyes

In this session we’ll explore how nature and adventure invite us into experiences that reach past what our eyes can capture.

1.30 - 2.15pm Thin Spaces in Big Places

Sometimes, wild places can awaken a sense of something greater – we’ll reflect, notice and explore the sacred threads woven throughout the landscape around us.

4 - 4.45pm Celebrating the Beauty of the Earth Through Story and Craft Family Session

Through storytelling, we’ll journey from light to land and sea to sky. Families can then explore nature’s colours and textures by creating their own ‘mini masterpieces’ inspired by creation.

6 - 6.45pm Mountain Melodies

Unwind and gather as the day draws to a close with live music in the Pilgrim’s Refuge.

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

9.30 - 10.15am Morning Contemplation

Before the bustle of the Festival begins, join us in the Refuge to meditate and contemplate.

11 - 11.45am The Wilderness Within

A Story Journey

Together we’ll gather around a fictional wild story that invites us to walk with our imagination through wild landscapes and sacred encounters.

1.30 - 2.15pm Pilgrim People

Journeying with Purpose

Together we’ll learn from pilgrim traditions and consider how the path not only guides us but shapes us as we go.

3.30 - 4.15pm Near Death Experiences

Is There Something More?

In this session we’ll hear from those who have been to the edge and come back, exploring how such experiences speak to the human longing for meaning and for what lies beyond the horizon of life.

6 - 6.45pm In Conversation with Ben Fogle & Miriam Lancewood

In this conversation, we’ll gather as a community to hear stories from Ben and Miriam’s adventures and reflect on what wilderness can teach us about purpose, connection and the sacredness of creation.

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

9.30 - 10.15am Morning Contemplation

Before the bustle of the Festival begins, join us in the Refuge to meditate and contemplate.

11 - 11.45am Finding Refuge

Mindful Meditations

As the Festival draws to a close, join us at the Pilgrim’s Refuge as we take a moment to pause, breathe and reflect.

1.30 - 2.15pm Paths We Share Community in the Wilderness

In this session, we will gather around fire and bread, together exploring how shared experiences of nature foster connection and belonging, hearing stories from those who have found intentional community in the wild.

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

10 - 10.45am The Endurance Podcast hosted by Mark Beaumont

2.30 - 3.15pm In conversation with Hazel Findlay

Mindset for Adventure Fear, Flow, and Sustainable Performance

Tools for managing fear, building resilient motivation, and achieving flow. Actionable practices for guests, featuring a live Q&A.

4 - 4.45pm Sandra Mastopietro

Why We Need Narratives to Grow Together

In this talk, we explore how shared narratives create belonging, build resilience and inspire collective strength. A reminder that the stories we tell don’t just define us as individuals – they weave us into a community.

5.15 - 6pm The Endurance Podcast hosted by Mark Beaumont

7 - 9.30pm Volkswagen R Performance Cocktail Mixer

Enjoy a dynamic mix of live DJ music, stylish surroundings, and a relaxed vibe. Whether you’re winding down after a day full of adventure or just looking to connect with fellow Festival-goers — this is the perfect spot to chill, chat, and celebrate. Tickets include a welcome drink!

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

10 - 10.45am The Endurance Podcast hosted by Mark Beaumont

2 - 2.45pm In conversation with Hazel Findlay

Strong Mind, Short Course Tools for Fear, Focus, Flow & Commitment – short drills on breath, attention, and thought management with illustrative stories from climbing. Open Q&A.

3.30 - 4.15pm Sebastian Hallman Smart Steps, Strong Strides

How to train smarter, not harder. Learn how to balance running with work, family and recovery – and make your resources work for you. Discover how sustainable training leads to stronger strides and lasting progress.

5.15 - 6pm The Endurance Podcast hosted by Mark Beaumont

VOLKSWAGEN R PERFORMANCE HUB

A brand-new hub celebrating the best talent from across outdoor sport and adventure.

Throughout the weekend, enjoy a full line-up of activities covering mobility, injury prevention, and nutrition. World-recordbreaking cyclist Mark Beaumont will also host his ‘Endurance’ podcast interviews live, delving into the mindset and methods of top-performing athletes from every discipline.

To find out more and book tickets, visit our website.

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

2 - 3pm Sandra Mastopietro Strength in Stories – From Inspiration to Action

In this session we reflect on the impulses and experiences of the Festival and turn them into personal strength. Through short inputs, guided reflection and simple practices, you’ll discover how to transform inspiration into concrete steps for your own journey – carrying the festival spirit forward into everyday life.

ALL WEEKEND

EXPLORE KENDAL: SCENIC DRIVES IN THE R MODELS

Experience the thrill of performance at the Volkswagen R Test Drive Hub, where precision engineering meets adventure. Get behind the wheel of the exhilarating Golf R or Tiguan R and take them for a spin on the stunning surrounding roads of the Kendal area – a true driver’s dream. Book your test drive across the Festival weekend via the Volkswagen R Performance Hub in Basecamp.

Free to book

ACTIVITIES AT KENDAL

Join brand ambassadors, instructors, and experts for a series of fun community activities including yoga, runs, hikes, bike rides, navigation, and more.

To find out more and book tickets, visit our website.

THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER

8.30am - 4pm Trash Free Trails

Citizen Science Expedition – Scafell Pike

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER

8 - 9am Arc’teryx Introduction to Wild Swimming with Gilly McArthur

8.30 - 9.30am Volkswagen R Pilates with Sandra Mastropietro

9 - 3.30pm Danner Sampling the Coast to Coast Guided Hike

9 - 11am Endura Social Gravel Ride Out

9 - 12.45pm SportsShoes & The North Face Trail Session

9.30 - 10.30am Volkswagen R Beginner Run with Sebastian Hallman

10 - 1pm Osprey Chronicles: An Adventure Filmmaking Workshop with Aslan Steel and Red Digital Cinema

10 - 1pm DMM & The British Mountain Guides Portaledge & Big Wall Training Experience

12 - 2pm BMC Women in Adventure Workshop

12.30 - 4pm CampWild & Passenger Hike The Elements

1 - 4pm Mammut Mountain School UK Crevasse Rescue

1 - 2.30pm Passenger Sole Clinic Mindful Run Experience

1 - 2pm Volkswagen R Four by Four – Power and Performance with Sebastian Hallman

2 - 5pm DMM & The British Mountain Guides

Portaledge & Big Wall Training Experience

3 - 5pm Arc’teryx Bouldering Session

ft. Hamish McArthur & Alannah Yip

5.30 - 6.30pm KEEN Trailbound Sketches

Watercolour Painting Workshop with Max Romey

6 - 7pm Volkswagen R Integrate & Inspire – Evening Reflection in Motion with Sandra Mastopietro

7 - 8pm SportsShoes Quid Games

ALL WEEKEND

Sauna. Plunge. Repeat. Find Clarity in Contrast

Step into the warmth of the sauna, plunge into cold water, and feel your body and mind reset. Led by Team GB ice swimmer and qualified sauna master Fenwick Ridley, who will guide you through the rhythm of hot and cold — with breathing techniques, mindset coaching, and recovery strategies to help you get the most from the experience.

Presented by Inghams Lapland

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

8 - 9am Arc’teryx Saturday Yoga

8:30 - 11.30am LOWA Hike & Test

8:30 - 9.30am Volkswagen R Pilates with Sandra Mastropietro

9 - 8pm The North Face Kendal Skyline Ultra

9 - 12pm Mammut Mountain School UK Crevasse Rescue

9:30 - 11am Buffalo Systems Walking with Ben Fogle

9:30 - 11am Salomon & SportsShoes Social Shake Out Run and Breakfast with Imo Boddy

9:30 - 10.30am Volkswagen R Mobility Moves with Sebastian Hallman

10 - 11.30am Merrell Hike Club x Wonderful Wild Women Tour of Kendal

10 - 11am Kendal Mountain Rescue HQ visit

10 - 11am Safe Fall Sessions

11 - 2.30pm adidas TERREX Kendal Trail Run

12 - 2pm Rab x AMI Dry Tooling Clinic Session

12 - 3pm DMM & The British Mountain Guides Self-Escape Training

1 - 2pm Cotopaxi x GoodGym x Trash Free Trails

‘Do Good’ Community Litter Pick

1 - 3pm Helly Hansen Guided Hike Exploring with Renata Chlumska & North of Tyne MRT

1 - 4pm Mammut Mountain School UK Crevasse Rescue

1 - 1.30pm Volkswagen R Guided Meditation –Empower Your Inner Strength with Sandra Mastropietro

2 - 3pm Kendal Mountain Rescue HQ Visit

2.30 - 4pm Rab & SCARPA Test & Trail Run

3 - 5pm adidas TERREX Guided Summit Sunset Walk with Fiona English

3 - 5pm Rab x AMI Dry Tooling Clinic Session

4 - 7pm DMM & The British Mountain Guides Alpine Rope Work

KENDAL TRAIL RUN

11am Saturday 22 Nov

A rip-roaring trail run visiting the local landmarks used by the local running community. The route is pure trail running –with tough ascents, jaw-dropping vistas, some hard-packed and grassy trails, and a great town centre finish. The run is organised on a not-for-profit basis to support the amazing volunteer work of Kendal Mountain Rescue Team.

Presented by adidas TERREX | Organised by Ourea Events

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER

8 - 9am Arc’teryx Sunday Yoga

8.30 - 9.30am Volkswagen R Pilates with Sandra Mastropietro

8.45 - 12pm 4ZERO & Suunto Social Run, Speaker & Party

9 - 12pm Rab Rise & Shine Boulder Session

9.15 - 11am Haglöfs & komoot Hike & Gear Test

10 - 12pm adidas TERREX Guided Walk with Fiona English

10 - 12pm Rab x AMI Dry Tooling Clinic

10 - 11am Safe Fall Sessions with Kendal Judo Club coach Mike Liptrot

10 - 11am Volkswagen R Fartlek Fun with Sebastian Hallman

KENDAL SKYLINE ULTRA

9am Saturday 22 Nov

This scenic route takes in the remarkable skyline of Kendal and its surrounds. Immerse yourself in the local landmarks and geological features, including limestone escarpments, castles, a deer park, and river trails. Starting in Kendal town centre, the course offers a fantastic day of trail running for entry-level ultra runners and trail lovers alike, before it swings into the Festival Basecamp to a glorious finish, cheered on by hundreds of Festival-goers.

Presented by The North Face | Organised by Ourea Events

11 - 1pm Helly Hansen Guided Hike Exploring with Renata Chlumska & North of Tyne MRT

11 - 12.30pm CampWild & Vango Together in Nature

11 - 1pm adidas TERREX Guided Run to Scout Scar

11.45 - 12.45pm YETI A Dirtbag’s Guide To Salmon Fishing

1 - 3pm Rab x AMI Dry Tooling Clinic Session

3.30 - 4.30pm Volkswagen R Goodbye Kendal Run with Sebastian Hallman

KENDAL FOR SCHOOLS

Friday 21 November | Kendal Leisure Centre

We are thrilled once again to extend an invitation to local schools to participate in Kendal Mountain Festival. On Friday 21st 1700 pupils will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in extraordinary experiences. Expect themes of adventure, environment, nature connection, and wonder. Max Romey will be joining with his new film

A Little Story About Forever, teaching his young son about how we can take care of the places we love. Tracy Moseley shares how to connect with the outdoors, and the importance of this in a world dominated by screens. Alenka Mali shares stories from her BASE jumping experiences, and discusses how we deal with fear and challenge; and Zoe Hart will come to the stage with her boys to talk about their adventures and how they have inspired her children to love the natural world. Plus, we have a whole host of incredible films to marvel at!

Hosted by George Lonsdale, the day promises to be a Festival highlight, offering a shared adventure that we believe will be an unforgettable experience for our youthful audience.

QUEER CONNECTIONS & PRIDE AT KENDAL

Friday 21 November 8 - 10pm Elsewhere Bar

Queer Connections is back, this year, taking place at the Elsewhere Bar! This is a safe and welcoming space to meet and make connections.

Kendal Pride Director, Josh Simpson, will introduce the event with a welcome speech, updates on Pride 2026, and recommendations for other queer safe spaces to check out around the town. See the events listings for two other events that may be of interest:

7 - 8pm Friday 21 Nov Making Space Trans+ Voices in the Outdoors

12.30 - 1.30pm Sunday 23 Nov Pride in Working in the Outdoors LGBTQIA+ Opportunity, Inclusion, and Equality in the Outdoor Industry

THE MOUNTAIN PROJECT

All weekend around Kendal

This is a new initiative where local schools have created mountainthemed artwork to display in the windows of businesses around Kendal! Explore the town while spotting brilliant, imaginative creations in the windows, bringing the joy of the Festival all around.

This is an expansion of our annual Kendal for Schools event, where we share the best of the Festival with children from all over the region.

RUN, WALK, WELCOME PROJECT

This project is a collaboration between King’s College London, Kendal Mountain Festival and everyone who participates. It aims to change hostile narratives on migration and create a more inclusive society by bringing runners, walkers and people with experiences of migration together while enjoying the outdoors. Having launched in the summer, participants have so far been involved in an online workshop and an in-person workshop in Grasmere. Hear more about the project and future plans at:

The Running Session 4pm Saturday 22 Nov | Kendal Leisure Centre

Osprey Adventure Stage Basecamp Talk 5.15pm Friday 21 Nov | FREE Run, Walk, Welcome workshop 10am - 12pm Sunday 23 Nov | FREE Abbot Hall Social Centre

Join this interactive workshop with project lead, Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries from Kings College London, for a discussion and a walk.

MULTI-FAITH SPACES

People of all faiths are welcome at the Unitarian Chapel Market Place, Market Pl, Kendal LA9 4TN

The Pilgrim’s Refuge in the Basecamp Village are providing a safe space for meditation and morning contemplation from 9.30 - 10.15am from Friday to Sunday.

THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

There are three words you’ll spot in the Kendal Mountain Festival programme that link two amazing organisations with an illustrious past and a forward-looking ethos: Spirit Of Discovery. It’s an event that has pride of place annually in the Festival’s early-afternoon Sunday slot.

The title is no accident; the spirit of discovery is exactly what drives the Alpine Club and its members, and equally what the Mount Everest Foundation encourages and enables.

The Alpine Club is the world’s oldest mountaineering club and continues to thrive, with members exploring and pushing limits in mountain ranges all over the globe.

In 1955, following the first ascent of Everest, the Mount Everest Foundation was established with the core aim to encourage the ‘exploration of the mountain regions of the Earth’. Every year the Foundation awards grant funding for expeditions, whether that’s cutting-edge alpinism or mountain-relevant research.

THE ALPINE CLUB

The Alpine Club was the world’s first mountaineering club and has been active in the world’s mountains for more than 160 years.

Today it has members throughout the globe and offers a wide-ranging programme of activities, including:

• 20+ climbing trips every year

• Subsidised safety and development courses

• Reduced rates at alpine huts

• Expedition funding

• Support and mentoring from experienced mountaineers

• A Lake District hut

• Regular Club magazines and journals

• Access to the UK’s largest mountain library

• Talks and lectures in London, the Lakes, the Peak District, Edinburgh and Bristol

If your aspirations lie in the mountains, the Alpine Club can help make them a reality.

Join today at https://alpineclub.org/

The Alpine Club is one of the founding and administering bodies of the Mount Everest Foundation. Through this link, many Alpine Club associated expeditions have been supported by the MEF, and the Alpine Club archives and helps steward the records of such expeditions.

Join us at this year’s Spirit Of Discovery event (for details see p32) and discover for yourself the extraordinary adventures and exciting research supported by both organisations!

MOUNT EVEREST FOUNDATION

The Mount Everest Foundation (MEF) provides funding to exploratory mountaineering and scientific expeditions.

Since its foundation in 1955, the MEF has funded more than 1,700 expeditions to locations all around the globe.

To qualify for funding, your expedition must:

• Take place in a mountain region.

• Have exploration (the acquisition of new knowledge) as its main purpose.

• Normally have the majority of its members from the UK, New Zealand and/or Nepal.

Additional funding is available for women-led or majority female expeditions through the Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant.

In exchange for funding, all the MEF requires in return is a full report and photographs from your expedition.

Learn more at www.mef.org.uk

DIDN’T MANAGE TO CATCH ALL OF OUR FESTIVAL FILMS?

With so many films on offer, it’s a marathon in itself to try to watch everything over this Festival weekend!

WATCH FILMS ONLINE

From Thursday 20 November, the Kendal Mountain Player, our online streaming platform, will be your personal guide to the 2025 Film Festival. From short film collections to life affirming feature films, showcasing award-winning films, new releases and the Festival’s favourites – all from the comfort of your sofa!

Enjoy the 2025 Festival Films for just £34.99* or for an extra £10, subscribe for a whole year for £44.99

Discover it all at kendalmountainplayer.com

FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE

“We come to Kendal every year, and we love catching up on the films we miss. The Player lets us experience everything!”

Stuck for ideas for family and friends this Christmas? Here’s our guide to the perfect stocking fillers - don’t forget you deserve a few treats too!

KENDAL MOUNTAIN UK TOUR 2026

SHARING ADVENTURES AROUND THE UK

Following the success of this year’s Tour, we’re thrilled to embark on a new chapter filled with remarkable shows and unforgettable experiences.

As we explore the country, we’ll connect with passionate audiences who seek the thrill of adventure. Join the team for our live shows, to be inspired by our incredible speakers and community groups; or at a cinematic screening with hand-picked Festival favourite films that celebrate the beauty of nature and the human spirit.

From February to May, Kendal Mountain Events will be bringing a slice of the Festival to a town near you.

Tickets are now on sale for the UK Tour at kendalmountainevents.com

SCOTLAND EDINBURGH STIRLING BANCHORY CRIEFF OBAN INVERNESS STORNOWAY ABERFELDY NORTH-WEST KENDAL BURY CHESTER AMBLESIDE BRADFORD PENRITH KESWICK

NORTH-EAST / YORKSHIRE

SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST CAMBRIDGE OXFORD SOUTHAMPTON CANTERBURY WINCHESTER BRIGHTON LONDON

SOUTH-WEST EXETER FALMOUTH BANTHAM BRISTOL CLEVEDON

MIDLANDS COVENTRY NOTTINGHAM

BOOK TICKETS

MONTANE SECRET SESSIONS TOUR 2026

Kendal Mountain Festival’s Secret Sessions are the fastestselling and most sought-after events across the entire Festival, so we’ve taken it on the road.

After the fantastic success of our 2025 Montane Secret Sessions Tour we’re back around the north of the UK in 2026.

The Secret Sessions are a simple concept, if unexpected; your ticket gains you access to a unique, one-of-a-kind event starring someone from the world of adventure. Join us in 2025 with six fantastic venues, and six secret speakers all waiting to welcome you! Tickets are now on sale at kendalmountainevents.com

23/01 LANCASTER ATKINSONS COFFEE

24/01 KENDAL FOLD CAFE

25/01 SHEFFIELD THE FORUM

30/01 MANCHESTER TRACK BREWING TAPROOM

31/01 AMBLESIDE THE FORCE CAFE

01/02 NEWCASTLE BRINKBURN BREWERY

KENDAL COMMUNITY CINEMA

Your Event, Your Way. We Provide the Content!

Imagine bringing the spirit of Kendal’s renowned adventure films to your very own community. We have meticulously curated special packages of adventure films, designed to bring people together and celebrate the thrill of exploration.

Whether you’re looking to create a memorable gathering with friends at your local cinema, organise a compelling evening to raise crucial funds for your group or a chosen charity, or even put on a day to treat your dedicated team, the possibilities are endless. Find out more at kendalmountainevents.com

Stubbornly saying No to PFAS* since 2009 has also meant saying no to the world’s leading authority on waterproof performance, GORE-TEX®. Now that their latest technology (ePE membrane) including DWR, does not use PFAS, we can finally work together and develop Fjällräven hardshells that are even more Fjällräven; more functional, more durable, still timeless and repairable, and Guaranteed to keep you dry®.

*Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Without their support, Kendal Mountain Festival just would not happen. Please take a moment to visit them in our Basecamp Village – they are looking forward to meeting you and sharing their brand stories!

PRESENTING PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNERS

PARTNERS

SUPPORT PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

FESTIVAL SUPPORT FUNDERS

CHARITIES

MEDIA PARTNERS

THANK YOU TO THE KENDAL TEAM

We thank you all for helping us to sustain and grow this incredible event!

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Jacqui Scott

DIRECTORS Steve Scott & Clive Allen

BOOK FESTIVAL DIRECTOR Paul Scully

MARKETING & PR DIRECTOR Rosina Merrett

GRAPHIC DESIGN & CONTENT MANAGER Jenny Rice

TOUR & EVENTS MANAGER Jennifer Dickinson

FILM & ARTS MANAGER Faye Latham

BRAND AND PROGRAMMING MANAGER Ben Cannon

EVENT MANAGEMENT Indus Hill

PRODUCTION MANAGER Dom Westwell

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

CO-ORDINATOR Annabel Howell

MARKETING AND EVENTS ASSISTANT Imogen Banfield

BASECAMP MANAGER Tim Murray

FESTIVAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Tom Rumsey

PROGRAMMING CO-ORDINATOR Amy Huxtable

BASECAMP & STAGE DESIGN Zoe Wilkinson

BASECAMP & STAGE DESIGN SUPPORT Sara Theis

BASECAMP BUILD Alex Fleming / Covered in Style

BASECAMP SIGNWRITER Mia Scott

CONTENT CREATOR Morgan Cvetkovic-Jones

BOOK FESTIVAL FLOOR MANAGER Ceri Holman

BOOKSHOP MANAGER Laura Lee

BOX OFFICE Tim Price & Jay Cooper

FILM AWARDS SCULPTOR Andy Parkin

BASECAMP PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR Xach Hill

PRESENTER TEAM

FILM PRESENTERS

BASECAMP SUPERVISORS Charlotte Fuke, Gabby Thorpe, Gareth Fuke, George Harris, Shaun Atkinson, Stephen Hall

FILM PRESENTER COORDINATOR Beth Pipe

DRIVER COORDINATOR Lindsay Gibson

BAR TEAM Xach Hill, Sophie Huxtable, Sienna Scott, Mia Scott, Zoe Hill, Lola Hill, Erin Franklin

PHOTOGRAPHERS Drew Blacow, Eddy Hubble, Kevin Moran

Harry Atkinson, James Kirby, Sian Herbert, Ceri Belshaw

LEISURE CENTRE/TOWN HALL SHOWRUNNERS

Glenn Barton & Will Clough / Sparkly Light

TECH & PRODUCTION TEAM Ashley Gibson, Andrew Richardson, Ian Hope, Jamie Rooke, Aaron Cockbain, and the rest of the Fluid Productions team, Danny Chapman, Andy Evans, Emily Thorp, Demi Thomas, Ben Nyland, Em Budd, Brewery Arts team, Kendal College team

VENUE MANAGERS Ellie Snape, Gabby Thorpe, Jo Bradshaw, Kim Parry, Lindsay Gibson, Liz Gabbott, Sue Doran, Steve Pipe, Toby Hubbard

VIDEOGRAPHERS Adrian Naik, Dom Bush, Jake McKenna, Kieran Fallows, Sam Bateson

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR John Martin

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT Sarah Blundell

WASTE MANAGEMENT TEAM Martin Davis, Jim Rounsley, Steve Pipe

FESTIVAL DESIGN SUPPORT Scott Heleniak & Bethan Thorsby

FILM INDUSTRY EVENT SUPPORT Sienna Scott, Eleni Wood, Erin Franklin

FESTIVAL TRAILER Everyfield Films

ACCESSIBILITY CONSULTANCY Find It Film

Annie Goodman • Beth Pipe • Duncan Shaw • Elise Downing • Felicia Morizet • Hannah Mitchell • Kelvyn James • Laura Brown • Lin Petry

Lucy Brown • Maya McGregor • Miriam Dobson • Nigel Vardy • Pete Robinson • Sabrina Pace-Humphreys • Sarah Hewitt • Stuart Halford

Tinuke Oyediran • Yvette Cave

BASECAMP & SECRET SESSION PRESENTERS

Becki Vale • George Lonsdale • Rachel Crewesmith • Lauren Munro-Bennett

BOOK FESTIVAL PRESENTERS

Julie Summers • Kate Rawles • Mary-Ann Ochota • Scotty Johnson • Rob Greenwood • Immy Sykes • Lee Schofield • Aila Taylor • Caz Graham

Deziree Wilson • Helen Mort • Maria Coffey • Geoff Bird • Maya McGregor • Clare Dyson

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER TEAM

Lucia Alonso • Susie Amann • Paul Arckless • James Ashton • Dorothy Bailey • Jonathan Barrett • Wendy Binnie • Susannah Bleakley • Sarah Blundell

Jez Booker • Kathleen Bowness • Lynne Bowry-Thompson • Dana Bratu • Christine Briggs • Karin Brink • Joe Brownsmith • Ruth Buxton • Daniel Camp

Simon Cane • Paul Cannon • Russell Cannon • Andy Carter • Cat Cheer • Wyn Clayton • Andy Clifford • Tina Codling • Charlotte Cole • Carol Conyers

Ali Cooper • Mike Cornelius-Rumsey • Helen Crank • Jim Crookes • Sue Crookes • Claire Davies • Glyn Davies • Bel Dixon • Charlotte Eamonson

Billy Elliot • Nick Fayers • Karen Fentem • Chris Field • Joanne Field • Emma Finlinson • Kirsty Fitzpatrick • Sue Fletcher • Michael Gallop • Rose Gallop

Cecile Garaygay • Julie Gardner • Christine Garner • Zoe Glossop • Theo Goodman • Caitlin Green • Charlotte Green • Kate Green • Jess Hacker

Pete Halsall • Georgie Harris • Freyja Hedinsson • Rick Heeks • Jacqui Hemingway • Mags Hobson • Bruce Howorth • Sharron Hutchinson

Helen Iredale • Emilia Isaac Chris Jeffs • Helen Jeffs • Luke Jeram • Rose Johnston • Liz Jolley • Dave Jones • Hamish Kale • Sally Kevan • Emma Key

Tim Kings • Katie Laing • Mike Laing • Tom Lake • Richard Lambert • Josh Laverty • Jill Leader • Eva Lee • Andy Letheren • Robyn Lockyer

Gemma Lodge • Penny Lowles • Anna Maciejkowicz • Rona Mackenzie • Ginny March • Gillian Mayo • Lucy McGinn • Arlen Messam • Richeldis Messam

Heather Milligan • Simon Milligan • Rohan Morris • Elaine Nicholls • John Nicholls • Margaret Parker • James Plant • Jennifer Powell • Janet Powson

Leona Purvis • Julie Margaret Rand • Malcolm Reekie • Will Revell • Merv Rice • Susie Rice • Lisa Roberts • David Robinson • Jane Robinson • Tim Rogers

Christine Shaw • Javier Simon Josephine Stoney • Richard Sutton • Hilary Swire • Laura Tattersall • Rose Thompson • Rachel Toyn • Anneliese Trig

Francis Twizell • Sue Walley • John Walsh • Sarah Warburton • Rob Ward • Sara Ward • David Wilson • Charlie Witter • Jules Woodcock

KENDAL VENUES

Brewery Arts

Kendal Town Hall

The Box - Kendal College

Kendal Leisure Centre

Abbot Hall Social Centre

The Venue at the Barrel House

The Elsewhere Bar

Kendal Climbing Wall

Ruskins

The Warehouse

Quaker Tapestry Museum

Kendal DOJO

The Bakery at No.4

SATELLITE VENUES

Rheged, Penrith Zeffirellis, Ambleside

Thursday 20th November