With around 130 films to watch online it's no wonder that our Community Hosts can get overwhelmed when they try to find 90-120 minutes worth of film for their particular event!
We hope this LMFF Preview will help you to navigate our 2025 Film Selection and perhaps provide shortcuts to your ideal film programme.
And if you are joining us to watch these films from home between February 28th and March 16th, we hope these curations will be helpful to you also.
Whether you are following our curations or finding your own way through the 2025 Film Selection - at home or for your Community Event - we hope you enjoy watching as much as we do!
For more ideas (or to come along!) visit our own in-person screenings in London Covent Garden, London Hammersmith and Keswick, Cumbria.
Swim, surf and dive... Getting wet is always an adventure, and there is nothing quite like it in terms of nature connection, especially out of a wetsuit. Here's a curation that would suit any water-based club or any community lucky enough to have the ocean on its doorstep. Take a deep breath...
Click to open:
DIVE IN (Total Runtime 1hr 10')
Above Sinai - Sarah Sadek, Egyptian native and kiteboarder, at home on the Sinai peninsula in a world where women are not often found in athletic roles, nor in the water.
Dads Who Swim - A short vignette that celebrates Dads who find community doing what they love, which in this case are sunrise swims at Henry Hagg Lake in Oregon.
Justice Brothers - In Busua, Ghana, young surfers turn wooden planks into dreams, empowering local girls to conquer the waves and embrace the ocean's freedom.
Libertad - Adrián, a boy with limited opportunities from the northern Peruvian town of Cerrito de la Virgen discovers surfing through a local non-profit organisation.
Salt - Unusually salty at birth, Alice is diagnosed for Cystic Fibrosis before becoming the first woman in Ireland to shoot surf films in water from a female perspective.
Water Ways - Ashley Braunton is a 3rd generation surfer from North Devon ranked 4th in the country for longboard, using surfing and community to get back on his feet.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Diving into the Darkness (96') - An awe-inspiring odyssey about cave diving icon Jill Heinerth, and her journey of exploration, resilience and self-discovery in the planet’s deepest depths.
Deserts, fells and trails... Running is probably the most popular sport in the world, but there is running and there is running. This curation celebrates that universality, but also shares so many stories that circulate around it - climate, inclusion, mental health... Lace up.
Click to open:
RUN CLUB (Total Runtime 1hr 39')
Always Alive - Athlete Hillary Gerardi battles nature and self-doubt to conquer Mont Blanc's iconic peak, and high-altitude racing meets glacier preservation.
George - Jacob Tonkin, a Cumbrian fellrunner, battles a debilitating disease and depression, finding hope and salvation through his extraordinary dog.
Tajikistan Ahead -14 runners taking on the toughest adventure of their lives, to run 7 marathons in 7 days from Afghanistan to China.
Talk to Frank - Frank, a spirited cocker spaniel, and Maleek, a man seeking redemption, find healing and hope in the mountains.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Beyond Limits - Into the ADHD Mind (56') - Follow Simon Blair as he tackles the gruelling Marathon des Sables while shedding light on his personal journey with a recent ADHD diagnosis.
Mountaineering, hillwalking, or just being in them.. This collection of films take you to where the earth touches the sky, where dreams are made and made true, and where metaphysical moments happen. From the Munros to the Himalayas this is the core of our festival. Great views too.
Click to open:
ALTITUDE (Total Runtime 1hr 40')
Dream Again - On her way to setting a 14-peak record, Adriana Brownlee faces Gasherbrum I and II, her 10th and 11th 8000s and her two last peaks in Pakistan.
What Brings You Up There - In the Himalayas, Nathanaël Sapey-triomphe confronts the reasons behind continuously escaping himself, from expedition to expedition.
A Cold Embrace - From Sir Chris Bonington’s own archives, this film gives an insight into experiencing some of the coldest and most beautiful places in the world.
To Know a Mountain - Hannah Westhenry and a diverse group of women explore the Cairngorms, inspired by Nan Shepherd, to tell an inclusive, non-summiting story.
Many Small Steps - A young boy's passion for nature leads him to conquer his first Munro, offering a heartwarming metaphor for life's challenges and triumphs.
Detour - After battling depression for a decade, Phoebe found solace and healing in mountaineering, which became her lifeline when she faced an unexpected challenge.
Mountain, bikepacking and a little road.. These are stories of people pushing their limits on bikes, and pushing the limits of their bikes, and pushing those limits in places where bikes shouldn't really be asked to go.. But who are we to judge? Alleycat Race anyone?
Click to open:
ON TWO WHEELS (Total Runtime 1hr 22')
Below Zero - Jenny Tough returns to competing in the Arctic circle - a story of gratitude, and of embracing a holistic approach to adventure.
Concrete Summer - We follow Robbo as he tries to reignite the fixed-gear scene in Liverpool, showing the sweeter side of the illegal sport of alleycat racing.
Eliot Jackson - Drop The Mic - A thrilling ride with Eliot Jackson, a mountain biking legend with hidden superpowers.
Party in the Pueblo - 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, the Burning Man of mountain bike racing where once a year in Southern Arizona a town pops up overnight.
Riding the Void - With a sustainable take on the classic idea of a road trip, two mountain biking friends embark on a 5-day, coast-to-coast journey using one of the oldest train lines in Scotland.
It Will Be Different For You - A two-time Olympian, and one of the most decorated women in mountain biking, Lea Davison knows the toil, pain, and commitment it takes at the highest level.
Path Less Paved - After a long and decorated career at the top level of professional road racing, Svein Tuft seeks out new adventures by bike.
Return to Sender - Witness the raw passion of Connor Gallart as he returns to his roots, conquering Santa Cruz trails in a heartfelt, unsponsored short film by Ryan Cleek.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTIONS
A Life in Tandem (95') - Facing terminal cancer and loss, Luke pedals from Bristol to Beijing, discovering life’s true essence as a 'CanLiver' on an unforgettable tandem bike adventure.
Anytime (57') - Witness the collective ambitions of 15 of the world’s best male and female freeride mountain bikers across forests, deserts, cities and high-alpine peaks.
We have a lot of choice for climbers this year... So make sure you have a good browse of our collection. Here we have picked a shorts line-up that we think shows the breadth of the sport now - both geographically and in terms of style - and philosophical approach. Enjoy!
Click to open:
STOKED (Total Runtime 1hr 50')
Ian - A powerful short film that chronicles the incredible journey of Ian Elliott, a 72-year-old Australian rock climber who defies conventional limits of aging.
Jamrock: The Birth of Jamaican Rock Climbing - A country not traditionally associated with rock climbing, where Kai Lightner is on a transformative mission.
Mataperra - Yelda's ambition transcends her climbing dreams as she aims to etch her name in history by conquering three legendary ascents, becoming a Cuban trailblazer.
On the Blunt End - Two sisters navigate a change in their relationship over the course of an evening climbing - a drama about the strength of sibling ties.
The Night Shift - In The Night Shift, shadows come alive, a cubic life form hunts rock, and puzzles defy daylight. Prepare for a metaphysical dance with darkness.
The Corleone Project - We follow professional climber Jonathan Bonaventura on his quest to set a new challenging route in the infamous region of Corleone, in rural Sicily.
Freea Ferrata - Inspired by the Telluride's rich history of climbing, two local climbers set their sights upon a visionary objective.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
The Parkinson's Project (52') - Chris Hamper battles Parkinson's with unwavering determination, redefining his passion for climbing as he faces the disease's relentless progression.
Go back in time to where it all began.. Trailblazers, pioneers, call them what you want. Every adventure is hardest the first time it is done, and the further back you go the less technology, gear and information you have to work with. They don't make them like that anymore - or do they?
Click to open:
ORIGIN STORIES (Total Runtime 1hr 24')
Footsteps - In 1955, three friends from Scotland pioneered the first-ever all-female expedition to the Himalayas. Their objective was a first ascent in the Jugal Mountains.
The Forced Alpinists - Retrace the harrowing escape routes of European refugees revealing untold stories of survival, resilience, and courage against the backdrop of Nazi and Franco regimes.
Meta - Female Pioneers in Mountaineering - Capturing the indomitable spirit of Meta Brevoort and modern climber Maria Granberg as they conquer peaks and shatter societal norms in a thrilling homage.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Everest Revisited: 1924 - 2024 (40') - Unveils the untold stories of the 1924 expeditions, blending historical footage with modern insights from climbers and scholars.
Get deep in the white stuff. From the roots of snowboarding in the US to holding it together for your modern family in the Alps, this session illustrates the deep connection that can be found in the snow and ice. On film, snow sports are arguably the most aesthetic of adventure activities.
Click to open:
POWDER (1hr 43')
Feel it all - Chronicling professional skier Drew Petersen’s journey from the depths of suicidal depression to the resilience and strength found in running and skiing.
Ravinos - Travel back to Vail, Colorado in the early 1970s, where the Ravinos challenged mainstream culture and sparked a revolution in extreme skiing.
Ski Dad - Asbjørn Eggebø Næss chases a dream line, balancing his passion for extreme skiing with the responsibilities of fatherhood.
Unplugged - Liam Rivera carves through untouched snow in a breathtaking black-and-white free-ride film with only the mountains' raw beauty and ambient sounds.
Clarity - Diagnosed with ADHD, Sebastian Kuhn adapts and transforms, reconnecting with nature, ice bathing, and snowboarding, he seeks clarity amid the overload.
The Pass - In the treacherous beauty of Rogers Pass, a visionary guide and her protégé navigate avalanches and ambition, redefining the limits of ski touring and survival.
Facing challenges on a whole other level. Prepare to be inspired by these adventurers for whom physical challenge is a fact of everyday life. Adventure is about resilience and overcoming barriers, and these stories celebrate what is possible when our own body is a barrier. Inspiring.
Click to open:
ADAPTIVE (1hr 48')
Designed by Disaster - A climber's near-fatal ordeal in the Dolomites sparks a groundbreaking invention, transforming mountain safety.
Dolore -I n a departure from the world of competitive racing and structured training, a pair of professional snowboard athletes embark on a high alpine split board tour.
Kang Yatse - Hiking Blind - Two unexpected allies face their greatest test, navigating treacherous terrains and inner fears, with resilience against all odds.
Larapinta: End to End - The Larapinta Trail is 235 kilometres of sweat, thirst, and pain. This powerful film follows four people with disability as they attempt to walk it in 17-days.
Unseen Peaks - After enduring discrimination and trauma due to her blindness, Addie seeks freedom through skiing, ice climbing, and rock climbing.
Being in nature has always inspired artists. This collection of films seeks to understand that, and in the process takes us into stunning environments where creative energy is driving new interpretations of adventure. Plus a couple of experimental films for good measure...
Click to open:
GET CREATIVE (1hr 31')
An Artist's Purpose - Biophilic artist Karina Eibatova embarks on a mesmerising journey through animated, dreamlike landscapes, drawing inspiration from these spaces.
Drawn to the Mountains - Set in the snowy Cairngorm mountain range in winter, artist and designer Tessa takes us on a journey, bringing us into her creative practice.
My Wilderness - As a Movement Director and Choreographer, Ana’s enthusiasm lies with her strong relationship to wild Scottish landscapes.
Wild Aerial - Blending techniques from mountaineering and acrobatics, adventure aerialist Sasha Galitzki performs gravity-defying routines in subzero temperatures.
Funny Species - Mountain sports meet wildlife documentary, revealing the hilariously irrational side of mankind through the lens of artificial intelligence.
The Bunch - Sensus - Amidst the mayhem of modern distractions, 'SENSUS' emerges from the void as a cinematic odyssey, probing our perception of incomprehensible truths.
Anchors - Three friends share a love of the children's iconic book 'Swallows and Amazons' by Arthur Ransome, filled with tales of sailing and adventure.
Ephemere - Exploring life's fleeting beauty, this award-winning film captures a young man's struggle to embrace the world, balancing joy and loss amidst nature.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Tim Stead: Magician with Wood (89') - Discover the enchanting world of Tim Stead, transforming trees into a breathtaking sculpted home, revealing the soul of an extraordinary craftsman.
Getting away from it all - sometimes it's a there and back and for some it's just there.
This escapist collection takes us to deserts, into the mountains, across boggy landscapes and even way out west, to either meet the people who live here, or to find something of ourselves.
Click to open:
OFF GRID (1hr 42')
The Road to No Man's Land - Will's quest for freedom leads him into the Sahara's heart, where a deteriorating motorbike and endless horizons test his limits and redefine his existence.
Cache 23 - Cache 23 follows the captivating journey of two canoeists, Michal and Karolina, as they traverse the vast, unforgiving wilderness of the Canadian Barren Lands.
Capsized - Emily's dream bogland adventure on the Isle of Lewis turns into a quest for the right gear, challenging the limits of outdoor fashion.
Far West - Drained by the fast-paced urban lifestyle, New York City artist Lala makes a bold decision to uproot herself and seek solace in untamed landscapes.
But the Flowers Remain - One of Europe’s last remote mountain villages serves as a visual time capsule, filled with moments of everyday life.
Tether - From skateparks to sheep pastures, UK skateboarder Lois Pendlebury navigates an unplanned transition to shepherding.
Travelling Home - Follow retired farrier Joe Cannon Snr on his heartfelt annual pilgrimage to the Appleby Horse Fair, capturing the essence of tradition and community in Cumbria, UK.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Odyssea Borealis (44') - Four modern explorers challenge the icy waters of eastern Greenland in an epic 300-kilometer odyssey to scale the untouched northwest face of Drøneren.
You have to see it to love it, and when you love it you want to save it. The world of adventure knows its responsibility to do everything it can to minimise impact and drive awareness of environmental issues. In this curation we learn of bad things happening and good being done.
Click to open:
SAVE PLANET A (1hr 40')
Dream to Cure Water - In the heart of Peru's Andes, two mountain communities blend ancient wisdom with cutting-edge science to combat climate change
Lost Winters - A short film on climate change in Scotland through the lens of winter mountaineering and behavioural psychology.
The Last Skiers - A precious statement on the fragility of nature, told by a generation of Italian skiers who have seen the slopes they learned to ski on turn into arid, yellow hills.
Seasons Lost - A short, poetic adventure documentary highlighting the beauty of hiking Scotland's East Highland Way in changing seasons.
The Shit-thropocene - A journey from the cellular-level origins of our lack of impulse control to the ways our central nervous systems have been hacked. Plus, there are dancing cave people.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Ice Waterfalls (47') - For years, professional kayaker Aniol Serrasolses has dreamed of running the rivers and waterfalls formed by melting ice caps and gigantic glaciers.
It's not just about us. This collection celebrates other life forms, plant and animal, with whom we share the great outdoors. How they shape us, what they mean to us, how we look after them and how they look after us. From gorillas in Africa to plant life on the banks of the Thames.
Click to open:
LIVING THINGS (1hr 29')
Farm Days - Discover the heartwarming world of Claire and her twelve alpacas at Holly Hag Community Farm, where every day is an adventure in the woods of Sheffield.
Houston's Whitebeam - At 80, Libby Houston scales Bristol's Avon Gorge, uncovering rare plants and contemplating her legacy as her namesake discovery faces extinction.
The Silverback - A journey marked by tragedy and self-discovery, Richard connects lessons learned while tracking wild gorillas to his own life.
Bloomtide - In the shadow of Hammersmith Bridge, with construction plans unfolding, Seth El-Shaddai's remarkable Bloomtide garden faces destruction.
The Pine Hunters - Two intrepid ecologists journey to the loneliest Scots Pine in Britain, to record the last of our ancient wild Caledonian forests.
Between the Lines - A moving reflection on what it means to be connected... to the water, to the fish, to one's truest expression of self.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
The Nightingale's Song (39') - Folk singer Sam Lee harmonises with England's nightingales, weaving a melodic bond that echoes the urgent call for conservation amid climate change's looming threat.
And finally... that human impulse that started it all. Here's three thought-provoking travel films which we think together form a beautiful tryptych of films which will inspire you to cancel that Butlins booking and get yourself a seat on a boat to somewhere less travelled. Some stunning photography.
Click to open:
EXPLORE (1hr 30')
Postcards from the Verge - Stranded on the Bolivian-Chilean border, two filmmakers capture their struggle to mature and stabilise their relationship amidst global turmoil.
Endless Horizons - In this solo expedition, Anabelle Guay attempts to undertake a groundbreaking triathlon, traversing Quebec’s vast territory over 1,350 km.
The Great Divide - A father wants his kids to witness the glaciers before they cease to exist and cross the Great Divide, but their lives are changing and global warming is escalating.
FEATURE LENGTH OPTION
Of a Lifetime (44') - Xavier, Victor, and 18-year-old Mila sail across the Drake Passage to ride the unimaginably steep icy lines of the white continent of Antarctica.
#CommunityFilmNight #LondonMountainFilmFestival #AdventureFilmFestival
