Billed as one of the Worlds greatest outdoor Film festivals Kendal is an event that I have been to for the past three years to be inspired by the latest in Adventure film. Plus see some of the worlds top mountain Athletes speak. This year was no different as I took my 2 day film pass and intended to make the most of it.

Over the 48 hours I spent at the festival I watched a total of 23hrs of film. 32 Individual films some good, some bad and some truly incredible and awe inspiring, some making me announce to the person next to me that my student loan is no longer for beans rather plane tickets to some far corner of the world. The spirit of expedition portrayed so well that i longed for the days gone by.

The audience itself is always one of the things I find most entertaining about the Kendal Experience as you could be sat next to anyone from a world class athlete to a middle aged woman who will gasp and shout ‘oh my god’ at the slightest murmur of peril. You can be walking through the narrow corridors and be with those that you have just seen in the films, some more indulged in the whisky than they were on screen but there nonetheless.

This year was also the first time that I was involved in one of the films on show. I shot a lot of the B-roll for the film ‘Below Ground’, a look back on the first individuals to climb in Hodge close quarry and an interview with Pete Whillance, one of the climbers who was pushing the grades in his time. Hopefully the video will appear on the Directors blog (here) sometime soon.

Here’s a quick list of my favourite films from the festival;

Deeper

The new film from Jeremy Jones and Teton gravity research. Perhaps a undervalued film at the festival tucked onto the end of one of the mountaineering sections; A story really about avoidance of stagnation. http://www.tetongravity.com/deeper/

Watch the trailer – http://www.tetongravity.com/videos/Jeremy-Jones-Deeper-Trailer-A-Snowboard-Film-807352.htm

Wild Water

“If there’s magic on this planet then it is in water”

A beautifully shot film that explores the heart of why we go into white water. This film really struck a chord with me, making me want to leave the uk for warmer climbs and  bigger water.

Watch the Trailer – http://vimeo.com/12563837

Mongol Rally 2007

A Hilarious journey with some of the participants of the 2007 Mongol Rally from the adventurists. The goat warning was well deserved but this film had some of the biggest laughs of the weekend and I’d go back and watch the 60′ film for the third time given the chance.

Watch the Trailer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeeL09NH-SA

As It Happens

The groundbreaking film from camp4collective. Taking HD-DSLR’s into the field, filming, editing and publishing with a high production value on the trot. Truly incredible considering they were climbing and travelling through Nepal at the same time.

View the Video – http://vimeo.com/14622087

Point of no return

An emotive film that brought the room of a hand full of Britain’s top climbers and mountaineers to a humble silence. Well worth a watch if you have the opportunity to see it in full.

The Swiss Machine

Following Swiss athlete Ueli Steck, this piece is inspirational purely because of how hard and serious Ueli takes it. Combine this with beautiful and stunning shots of the Eiger and the comic relationship between Ueli and Alex Honnold. The latter, who looks strangely a lot like me.

The Prophet

The overall Winner of the festival was the latest film from Alister Lee featuring Leo Houlding on El Capitan. A beautifully shot film that kept the audience gasping throughout.

I’d like to see more from Alister lee but for him to avoid getting stuck in the rut of always working with the same people.

Watch the Trailer – https://www.posingproductions.com/video.php?form_action=play&video_id=193

All in all it was an ace weekend, with lots learnt and plenty of things for me to try and improve and work on over the next couple of months.

All photo’s © the original filmmakers.

Sim.