Mountain Film Tour

About Mountainfilm Festival
Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival that showcases stories about environmental, cultural, climbing, political and social justice issues. Mountainfilm is held every Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colorado. Along with exceptional documentaries, the festival goes beyond the film medium by bringing together world-class athletes, change makers and visionary artists for a multi-dimensional celebration of indomitable spirit. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. To learn more about Mountainfilm, visit www.mountainfilm.org.

A VERY SHORT GUIDE TO UNION GLACIER CAMP
If you’re considering an expedition to Antarctica, here is a jaunty preview of your likely base camp. Looks like fun! Not to mention beautiful and energetically staffed.

NOW IS THE TIME
After totem poles were denigrated as pagan by Christian missionaries and the cultural practices of Indigenous people were outlawed by the Canadian government, the Haida village of Masset, British Columbia, lost its traditional artform. Until a young man named Robert Davidson decided to revive the woodcarvers’ art, first making a totem pole and then orchestrating a potlatch, the ceremonial raising of a totem pole, in 1969 — the first in living memory. This is an inspiring documentation of a community’s spiritual restoration and a reflection on cultural vulnerability and resilience.

THE MYSTERY
In the ‘90s, there existed this very nerdy, goofy and cool subset of kayaking called “squirt boating.” At the time, thousands called it their hobby, but now, there are less than 200. In squirt boating, boats are custom-sized, like getting fit for a tuxedo and “the mystery move” was the claim to fame. These days, the hobby itself has pulled a mystery move — disappearing from the kayaking sect, leaving everyone wondering, what happened to those sparkly squirt boats of yore?

RESILIENCE
Outdoor recreation is not a privilege, but a cornerstone of mental health, joy and resilience. Lesford Duncan of the San Diego-based nonprofit Outdoor Outreach, whose mission is to “connect youth to the transformative power of the outdoors,” offers himself as a case study in the healing that comes from being outside.

INVISIBLE BEAUTY
A girl who adores nature explores the beauty of small insects in every way imaginable. —Caroline Merritt, age 11

ERIC AND THE BEES
After 20 years in the U.S. military, Eric returns home and finds himself struggling with PTSD from combat. As he tries to make sense of what he did and saw, there is only one place where he finds solace — among his bees. In caring for his hives, he’s able to calm his mind and nurture several colonies — and invites other veterans and first responders to join him in experiencing the healing power of beekeeping.

TABIRA
Veterinarian Alfonso Bañeres has recovered hundreds of birds of prey and other wild animals throughout his career, but none quite like Tabira, a young Harris’ Hawk. The chick that nobody wanted becomes a cherished member of the family in this heartwarming story of love, loss and overcoming fear. Tabira is a daughter, a sister and a lesson in persistence as the family attempts to train her to be unafraid of the kite — paragliding turned parahawking — for an adventure not to be missed.

COMING HOME – AG TEACHT ABHAILE
Ultra runner Paddy O’Leary grew up in Wexford, Ireland but eventually landed in San Francisco. It was there that he first discovered his love of trail running, but while he thrived in his community, it still wasn’t home. A grueling running adventure calls him back, and he commits to attempting the fastest-known time on the self-navigated 115 kilometer Wicklow Round. Here, in the rugged mountains of Ireland, on a course with 26 summits, he rediscovers a sense of place and people.

ONE STAR REVIEWS: NATIONAL PARKS
Classic American stereotypes come to life in one star reviews. For real. In a world where everyone’s a critic, the magic of our national parks is downplayed by couch potato tourists turned outdoor aficionados. Brief, beautiful and truly comical, award-winning director Alex Massey brings to light cringeworthy Yelp reactions to some of the most stunning natural wonders in America.