VIMFF 2019 Films | Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival

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WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST ADVENTURE FILM

In July 2016, the paraglider Antoine Girard set off on a three-week hike-and-fly tour to explore the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan— alone. His hope is that the upwinds will carry him and his chute to the summit of Broad Peaok – or higher.

Anba – In The Depths Of Haiti

Olivier Testa has been exploring the caves of Haiti since 2009, leading expeditions, training, and exploratory projects across the country. Baraka Flims sketches a colourful and rythmic portrait of the Pearl of the Antilles.

AscendingAfghanistan vimff 2019 featured

Ascending Afghanistan: Women Rising

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST MOUNTAIN CULTURE FILM

A film following the first female Afghan mountaineering team as they navigate their first expedition and fight for recognition as athletes amongst their country, culture and families.

Aziza

Set in the streets of Bou Tharar and the wide, craggy valleys of the lower Atlas mountains of Morocco, ‘Aziza’ is the story of a young woman who has thrived in the world of ultra-racing.

Beyond Climate

Narrated by David Suzuki, Beyond Climate explores the human and environmental impacts of climate change in British Columbia, and is a timely contribution to the province and country as we grapple with climate change, the paramount issue of our time.

Big World

As parents, how do we teach our kids that there is a world beyond social media, standardized tests and soccer practice? Join Eddie Bauer athlete David Morton and his seven-year-old son Thorne on a week-long SUP journey down the Karnali and Bheri Rivers in Western Nepal.

Blood Moon

The film follows Robbie Phillips, Calum Cunningham and Alan Carne as they attempt to open a new climb, ground up, on a 700m Big Wall called Tsaranoro Atsimo in Madagascar.

Blood On The Crack

Climbers Kevin Jorgeson and Jacob Cook head to the Bugaboos to attempt the second ascent of the Tom Egan Memorial Route, which contains one of the hardest crack climbs in the world.

Boy Nomad

BOY NOMAD follows a year in the life of 9-year old Janibek, who lives with his family in Mongolia’s Altai Mountains. His first love is racing horses, but this winter he faces the toughest journey in a nomad’s life: the winter migration.

Cerro Kishtwar – An Ice Cold Story

Stephan Siegrist, Thomas Huber and Julian Zanker attempt a new line on Cerro Kishtwar. The plan was to climb alpine style but the difficulties were harder than expected, let’s just say things didn’t go exactly according to plan.

Chasing Monsters

Australian storm-chasing photographer Nick Moir ventures through Tornado Alley in the American Midwest.

Children Of The Columbia

Join big mountain skiers Dane Tudor and Christina Lustenberger as they travel up the waterway that shaped them, the mighty Columbia, home to some of the best skiing in the world.

Choose Your Own Adventure

As the population Southwest BC booms, and interest in backcountry travel is at an all-time high, tensions in the outdoor community are inevitable.

Climbing Towards an Olympic Dream

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Sport Climbing will be included for the first time. There will be only 20 spots available per gender globally. Competitive rockclimber Tiffany Melius’ goal is to be one of those women.

Craig’s Reaction

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST CLIMBING FILM

Since a 100 foot fall in 2002 that took his right leg and left him with multiple spinal injuries, Colorado climber Craig DeMartino has led one hell of a life, including lauded First Disabled and In-A-Day Ascents on El Capitan. But it’s his day-to-day story that really makes an impact.

Derrick Pottle, Keeper Of The Flame

“Derrick Pottle, Keeper of the Flame” looks at the cultural and emotional impact of climate change on remote Inuit communities through the eyes of Derrick Pottle, a respected elder of the Nunatsiavut Inuit Community in Labrador.

Divided

Lee Craigie and Rickie Cotter self filmed while riding the Tour Divide, a 2745 mile self-supported mountain bike race from Canada to the Mexican border. It didn’t go according to plan. None of the best adventures do.

Dreamride 3

DreamRide 3 is the final chapter in a series that has taken audiences to some of the wildest environments on Earth. Combining a Dr.Suess inspired narrative, mind blowing natural landscapes, and one dreamer on a mountain bike, this film will take you on an adventure like no other.

Echoes Across Seymour

Outdoorsman Alex Douglas has spent the past 40 years single handedly preserving the disappearing memory of the pioneers of Mt.Seymour, hoping to inspire a new generation to appreciate the mountain he calls home.

Entre Les Lignes / Between The Lines

Between the lines explores the vision of Vivian Bruchez as he finds new ski descents to be opened in the Mont Blanc range.

Feel of Vision

CANADIAN PREMIERE

Lonnie Bedwell, a former Navy Petty Officer turned extreme adventure athlete, became the first blind person to ever whitewater kayak the entire length of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in a solo kayak.

Focus

In 2011 Steve Bate was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a severe form of tunnel vision that is slowly robbing him of his sight. The film follows Steve as he participates in the Rovaniemi 150, a gruelling self-supported fat bike race through the Arctic tundra of Finnish Lapland.

For The Love Of Mary

At 97, George Etzweiler competes every year in the 7.6-mile race up the Northeast US’ highest peak, always wearing his lucky green running shorts. He carries something else special with him: the memory of his wife of 68 years, Mary.

Grizzly Country

With the protection of Yellowstone grizzlies under threat, Doug Peacock reflects on the importance of habitat and why he continues to fight for wild causes.

Hike The Line

Long-distance backpackers, Tenny Ostrem and Claire Wernstedt-Lynch, attempt the first ever 2,000-mile thru-hike of the U.S.-Mexico border, gaining a unique perspective on our borderlands while enduring the most difficult adventure of their lives.

Hood To Trail

15 crew runners from London, Rotterdam and Copenhagen came together in the French Alps to try trail running for the first time.

How To Run 100 Miles

The odds were stacked against Jayson Sime early in life: poverty, homelessness, dyslexia, bullying. But he fought his way to a successful career as a political organizer. In 2017, he entered his first 100-mile race, betting on his resilience to get him through.

Ice & Palms

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST MOUNTAIN SPORTS FILM

Jochen Mesle and Max Kroneck start their biggest and most extraordinary ski tour so far. The mission: Bikepacking across the alps and skiing some iconic mountains along the way – no motor allowed!

In The Shadows Of Everest

Pemba Sherpa and Tenzing Gyalzen Sherpa are professional climbers who are becoming leaders in their community, following in the footsteps of Conrad Anker and Jenni Lowe-Anker who founded the Khumbu Climbing Centre in their village of Phortse, Nepal.

In The Starlight

In the Starlight is an intimate portrait of the outdoor Canadian photographer Paul Zizka. Before leaving for new astrophotography expeditions to Greenland and Namibia, Paul tries to balance family, travel and work as one of his biggest challenges.

In The Valley Of Wild Horses

Every summer in the interior of British Columbia, Canada, the community of Xeni Gwet’in travels 200-km by horse and wagon from their home in Nemiah Valley to the famous Williams Lake stampede.

Inside The Indus – A Pakistani Odyssey

A kayak expedition down the fabled Rondu Gorge in northern Pakistan.

Inwards

70 year old german climbing pioneer Bernd Arnold bridges between success in climbing and inner experiences. From the roots of childhood to distant mountain regions and friendship he draws a line back home to present days.

Just Anna

In an era where searching out and developing new routes seems out of vogue: all is not lost as we meet Anna Taylor. This remarkable 20 year old is bucking all the tends with stunning new sport routes and bold traditional lines.

La Congenilità – The Attitude of Gratitude

Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger are an odd pair. As the team heads for Kanchenjunga to attempt the highest traverse across 8000-meter peaks, their roles begin to shift.

Lessons From The Edge

South African ultra-runners, Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel push themselves right the very edge to run Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail in the fastest known time.

Liv Along The Way

In March 2017, former World Champion sport climber Liv Sansoz, set out to climb all 82 4000m peaks in the European Alps in a single year. As she’s learned several times throughout her life, things don’t always go as planned.

My Dear Kyrgyzstan

A Kyrgyz man takes it upon himself to transform his abandoned Soviet mining village into an international tourism destination.

Notes From The Wall

19 days on a 1200-meter-high vertical wall in Torres del Paine, Patagonia. An honest and profound story of an ascent spiced up by rough weather conditions, technical climbing and live music.

Ode To Muir

Teton Gravity’s newest film Ode To Muir pairs professional snowboarder, adventurer and founder of Protect Our Winters Jeremy Jones with two-time Olympian Elena Hight as they embark on a 40-mile foot-powered expedition deep into California’s John Muir Wilderness.

Perspectives: India

As an artist and professional mountain biker, Micayla Gatto finds inspiration in her surroundings, be it at home in British Columbia, Canada or somewhere as distant as India.

Ramsay’s Round

US based ultra-marathon runner Alicia Hudelson embarks upon one of Scotland’s toughest long-distance challenges – 24 Scottish mountains including the UK’s highest peak, 28000 feet of ascent, all in under 24 hours.

RJ Ripper

Kids and bikes; wherever you are in the world, they go together. The chaotic streets of Kathmandu may not seem like a typical breeding ground for world-class mountain bikers, but then again nothing is typical about Rajesh (RJ) Magar.

Safety To Nome

Twenty-six ultra endurance athletes embark on a 1000-mile human powered race across Alaska on the Iditarod Trail, where being prepared – for anything – is the only way to guarantee your safety. Or your survival.

Shapeless Fulfillment

Adventure Photographer and Polar Guide Ben Haggar embarks on a solo Bikepacking mission in western Greenland on a route never before attempted on two wheels. Battling rough terrain, loneliness, trench foot, and extreme weather, Ben finds solace on the barren tundra and his mountain bike.

She Is The Ocean

An in-depth exploration into the lives of nine astonishing women from all four corners of the globe. These inspiring women share one love – the deep love for the Ocean.

Ski Photographer

Drawn to the mountains in search of the ski bum lifestyle, Oskar Enander had no intention of ever becoming a photographer. Today, Oskar’s iconic and unique perspective is highly sought after in the ski world.

Sound Water

From the Headwaters of the Elaho River, down the Squamish and into Howe Sound — Sound Water is a film that questions our pursuit for adventure, our relationship with nature and with ourselves.

Spectre

Unsupported, using snow-kites to travel great distance, with massive loads at speeds up to 60 kmph this is the tale of Leo Houlding’s daring dream to reach the summit of the most remote mountain on Earth; The Spectre, Antarctica.

Spirit of Jaguar

Crossing of the mysterious Sierra Maigualida Mountains leads to the Indian Hodi Tribe, living in harmony with nature.

Surfer Dan

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST SHORT FILM

In a time when it can feel like you need to fly to the opposite side of the globe to find adventure and challenge. Surfer Dan proves that with dedication, grit and a little creativity you might already have all you need outside you own backdoor.

Surviving The Outback

Could you survive alone across hundreds of kilometres of remote outback for a whole month, trekking and sailing on a makeshift raft, with nothing but a time capsule of antique stuff from 1932? Mike wasn’t sure he could pull it off either!

The A.O.

Adam Ondra is one of the most successful and versatile climbers of our time. His strong, lean body seems to effortlessly transcend gravity. We find out more about the forces that drive this climbing talent to new heights in The A.O.

The Beaver Believers

Sometimes the best solutions to the biggest problems can be found in the most unlikely of places. Meet the beaver believers: five scientists and a hairdresser, tackling climate change, one stick at a time.

The Frenchy

Jaques Houot, 82, may just have found the fountain of youth. The Carbondale, Colorado-based French ski racer, downhill mountain biker, road cyclist and incorrigible flirt is the embodiment of joi de vivre.

The Lorax Project

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 JURY’S AWARD

Six friends embark on a determined quest to climb, and then BASE jump ‘The Lorax’, a formidable climb on Frenchman’s Cap in remote western Tasmania.

The Middle Way

On July 26, Joe Grant set off from his home in Gold Hill, Colorado to attempt to summit all 57 of Colorado’s 14000ft summits. Self-powered and self-supported Joe took just over 31 days to bike and run to all the summits, ascending over 100000ft during the runs and cycling over 1400 miles.

The Serengeti Rules

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST ENVIRONMENTAL FILM

Exploring some of the most remote and spectacular places on Earth, five pioneering scientists make surprising discoveries that flip our understanding of nature on its head, and offer new hope for restoring our world.

The Undamaged

Hydroelectric dams are threatening the last wild rivers of Europe. A crew of whitewater kayakers decided stand up for the rivers, traveling from Albania to Slovenia, kayaking 23 rivers in 6 countries paddling, protesting and sharing the secret, free-flowing rivers of the Balkans.

Tierra Del Viento

Patagonia; further South than most people ever dare to venture there’s a land of endless distance and beauty. When photographer Eliseo Miciu explores and shoots this mythical place, he also learns more about himself.

Treeline

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 BEST CANADIAN FILM

TREELINE is about our oldest living companions on earth: trees. The film brings extraordinary forests in British Columbia, Japan and Nevada “to life” through cinematic exploration of playful, yet powerful experience of gliding through each forest on snow.

Trembling Mountain

The film, in showing the impact of the great earthquake of 2015 and the response of a paradise-like mountain community in the Himalaya, reveals change and the deep fractures, in lifestyle and identity, affecting the community.

Way Of The Hunter

Deep in the Great Bear Rainforest, against the backdrop of British Columbia’s breathtaking wilderness, a former hunter comes to terms with his past and looks with hope towards the future.

We’re Going Where?

A backcountry mountain bike journey up to the mighty Ausangate glacier in the Andes mountain range.

Wolfpack

The Braford-Lefebvre family chose to live in Silverton, Colorado in order to raise their family wild. Through hard times and the best ones, running is their tool for experiencing life together.

Women Are Mountains

Women are Mountains is a short documentary film that portrays the lives of climbers Mônica Filipini and Danielle Pinto in the quiet city of São Bento do Sapucai, in the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. At the same time as they are responsible for their children and domestic affairs, they are able to enjoy their great passion: the mountains.

Zabardast

WINNER: VIMFF 2019 GRAND PRIZE

The intimate travel diary of an incredible freeride expedition into the heart of the Karakoram range. The search for one of the most beautiful mountains to ski on the planet, standing at 5880m. A meeting point of Freeriding and Mountaineering. A true adventure.

The Films.