Programme (draft)

Anna

Origin: USA
Duration: 22 minutes
Director: Kael Van Buskirk

An intimate and unflinching portrait of North Face mountaineer Anna Pfaff, as she grapples with the aftermath of a life-altering frostbite injury in Alaska and which led to the amputation of six of her toes. Anna is a story of survival, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the strength to embrace change and the courage to keep climbing. It’s also an exploration of recovery, reinvention and the limitless power of movement.

Sunnmore

Origin: Canada
Duration: 7 minutes
Director: Jeff Thomas

Shot in the breathtaking Sunnmøre Alps of western Norway, this short film follows a late-season, human‑powered adventure that blends Alpine ambition with maritime mystique. Led by local guide and quiet legend Oscar Almgren, the crew is anything but ordinary: a Swede, a Spaniard, a Swiss, a German, and a surprise addition in Aksel Lund Svindal, one of the greatest alpine ski racers of all time. What unfolds is a cinematic journey from boats and bikes to boots and tractors. This isn’t just about
skiing. It’s about scale, heritage, and the rare magic that happens when you step beyond routine into the extraordinary.

Fifty Fifty

Origin: Canada
Duration: 10 minutes
Director: Angela Percival

Tying in with a climbing partner means more than just sending the crux together. For renowned alpinists Ines Papert and Sarah Huenekin, the peak of their aspirations comes as they both climb past the age of 50 - pushing themselves harder while learning more about each other, as well as
themselves.

More Than a Mountain

Origin: UK
Duration: 21 minutes 33 seconds
Director: Loz Henshall
Sponsored by Robertson Property Management

This is an inspiring documentary that marks the 50th anniversary of the first female ascent of Everest. Fifteen women journeyed to Nepal to climb Yala Peak (5,500m). Led by Everest and Seven Summiteer Jo Bradshaw, they set out to honour the legacy of Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit of Everest. Aged between 29 and 71, ranging from complete beginners to experienced mountaineers, each discovers that the greatest challenge is not always the mountain itself, but the narratives we tell ourselves about what we are capable of.

Tim Emmett

Evening Speaker slot

Tim Emmett is a Squamish, BC–based climber and longtime Mountain Hardwear athlete, known as a pioneer of deep‑water soloing and for first ascents across rock, ice and mixed terrain in 16 countries. These include Atlantic 8C and Poseidon 8b, both in 2025. Since 2010, he’s pushed the limits of ice climbing at Helmcken Falls, establishing Mission to Mars, the world’s first WI13, and continues to redefine longevity by climbing his first F9a/5.14d at the age of 51. Tim is also a freediver and
former Wingsuit BASE jumper.

Fragile Strength

Origin: UK
Duration: 33 minutes
Director: Imogene Newland
Sponsored by The Grampian Club

Imogene, who has spinal complications from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, attempts the Cuillin Ridge Traverse on the Isle of Skye, with help from an experienced team of mountain leaders. The Cuillin Ridge Traverse is the pinnacle of UK scrambling, where steep drop‑offs and complex route‑finding transform a 12km traverse into a two-day epic. With 22 summits and over 4,000m (13,000ft) of ascent and descent, the Cuillin Ridge is Scotland’s final frontier for climbers.

Find Mor

Origin: UK
Duration: 28 minutes
Director: Steve Small

Exploration. Community. Discovery. Scotland still has its mysteries roaring in remote glens and sometimes hidden in plain sight. Find Mòr follows a group of canyoneers over the span of two years as they embark on a journey of exploration into the hidden corners of the Scottish Highlands. The film offers a unique perspective from within the relatively unknown niche community and discovers the myriad motivations that drive this passion of curiosity. Having set off in search of uncharted canyons, they find true adventure and connection, to people and place. “You come for the canyons but stay for the people.”

Light Up

Origin: UK
Duration: 5 minutes 17 seconds
Director: Neve Wringe

Set against the stark and unforgiving beauty of a remote mountain landscape, Light Up follows a mountaineer named Hank as he scales a long-sought after summit. But as the altitude rises, so does his inner conflict as he is reminded of his young daughter who he has left behind in pursuit of his goal. The mountain becomes both a literal challenge and a symbolic reflection of a deeply human struggle between personal ambition and parental responsibility. Director Neve Wringe is Graphic Designer graduating in animation from the University of Dundee.

Gary Robertson

Morning Speaker slot

Gary Robertson is Dundee born and bred and works with Dundee City Council as a binman. A self-confessed fitness fanatic, he has been keeping fit since the age of 12, training in many disciplines from martial arts, boxing, running to lifting weights. His great love for the past 36 years has been with the NCR Hillwalking & Climbing Club exploring the mountains, glens and wild places of Scotland. As a writer and author, he has written six books and as a playwright he’s written three stage plays, selling out all 47 performances at the Dundee Rep. He writes Dundonian street poetry in the dialect and has performed in hundreds of gigs as well as appearing on TV and radio, winning the “Scots Performer o’ The Year” at the inaugural Scots Language Awards in 2019.

I Can Do It

Origin: USA
Duration: 3 minutes, 15 seconds
Director: Seth West

Heidi Walsh, Kayak Session magazine’s Female Paddler of the Year, wakes up and chooses chaos! Huge waterfalls, massive flips, endless energy and a permanent smile intact throughout. “I Can Do It” is 3 minutes of pure adrenaline!

The (Bi) Cycle

Origin: Slovakia
Duration: 12 minutes
Director: Jaro Tešlár

A poetic short MTB documentary exploring the endless cycle of longing, struggle, freedom, and return that high mountains imprint on those who ride them. Shot across iconic mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Himalayas, it blends raw nature with the intimate silence of a rider’s inner world.

Echo of Turns

Origin: Japanese/Canadian
Duration: 14 minutes
Director: Takuya Mukai
Sponsored by Dundee Ski Club

This film explores Japanese skier Shikaichi Ueki, who moved to Golden, British Columbia, Canada. It compares the positive flow of kindness and community support to the motion of ski turns, creating an “echo” of goodwill. Stunning and exciting skiing.

The Lines We Carve

Origin: Switzerland
Duration: 10 minutes
Director: Harald Edlund

Set in the mountains of Engelberg, Switzerland. This short film explores the spirit of speed-flying. A sport driven by freedom, precision and a deep respect for the landscape and conditions. Through the voices of local pilots and local farmers, this film explores both the beauty and the tension of sharing the same terrain. As speed-flying quickly grows in popularity, so does concerns around safety and respect. This has brought the community to a crossroads. At its core, this is a story about coexistence and finding a respectful way forward, where the joy of flight can continue without compromising the harmony of the valley.

La Trace

Origin: France
Duration: 11 minutes 46 seconds
Director: Clement Lefer

Five months after falling thirty meters into an ice crevasse and being rescued by helicopter, Arnaud chose to return. La Trace follows his attempt at the Summum Mont Blanc: 3.8 km of cold-water swimming, 180 km of cycling with 3,000 meters of elevation gain, and the ascent of Mont Blanc from Saint-Gervais, nearly 4,000 meters of vertical climb. All in a single day.

Guardian

Origin: UK
Duration: 12 minutes
Director: Jonathan Doyle

Balancing fatherhood, a demanding career, and elite ambitions, Matt Foot is on a relentless quest to become one of the UK’s top dry-toolers. Filmed over six years, this documentary follows his struggle to find time for training and climbing while remaining a devoted husband and dad. At its heart, it’s not just about conquering the country’s hardest routes - it’s about finding balance and readdressing what truly matters in your life.

Scotland The Wave

Afternoon Speaker slot

In December 2025, four women rowers set off from the Canary Islands to cross 3,000 miles of the Atlantic. Unfortunately, illness whittled the four down to three, but Nicky Matthews, Fiona Deakin and Heather McCallum carried on and completed the mammoth row, landing in Antigua with a combination of relief and jubilation. Fiona and Nicky will share their incredible experience, one that benefited that charities such as SiMBA, Scotland’s Air Ambulance, the RNLI and Breast Cancer.

Shiya: The Snowboarder Collie

Origin: Slovenia
Duration: 7 minutes
Director: Mitja Legat

A DOGumentary about Shiya’s mission to conquer alpine peaks and run through powder fields with her humans. Told from the dog’s perspective, the do’s & don’ts of mountain touring with a canine will bring a smile to everyone. “She gave me a new perspective about having fun in the remote wilderness without caring about the best snow conditions and best filming angles but only caring about who I am spending my free time with,” says director Legat.

Echoes of Menchul

Origin: Ukraine
Duration: 7 minutes
Director: Sophia Bihailo

German ecologist from the city of Kiel, Michel Jacobi moved with his family to the Ukrainian Carpathians to save the nearly extinct water buffalo. Living among Hutsul and Boyko communities, he tends buffalo, horses and ancient cattle breeds, working to preserve both biodiversity and cultural heritage. This film captures his mission to protect a unique landscape while reminding us of the timeless connection between humans, animals and nature.

The Marks we Leave

Origin: USA
Duration: 6 minutes
Director: Mitchell Milbauer

This is a short six-minute documentary that follows Bozeman-based artist Hailey Hosken as she creates a painting inspired by her experience climbing in the Gallatin Canyon, specifically the most prominent feature, Spare Rib. The film explores the deep connection between Hailey’s art and the landscape around her, showing how her time outdoors shapes the way she approaches her paintings. She reflects on what it means to leave something behind, both in nature and in art. She speaks about the materials she uses, the rocks she recreates on and the legacy she hopes her work will carry.

The Alaskan Ascent

Origin: Canada
Duration: 20 minutes
Director: Vince Lapointe
Sponsored by Carn Dearg MC

Many great mountain trips begin with a dream, countless nights of research, hours of training and months of preparations. With about three days prep, Cameron Jardell, a Juneau Alaska local, and Vinny 2 Crocs, from Squamish BC, teamed up for a 76‑mile glacier traverse across the Juneau Icefield, from the US to Canada, on a quest for rock climbing first ascents. Chaos ensued...

Dave MacLeod

Evening Speaker slot

Dave MacLeod is a professional rock climber and coach based in the Scottish highlands. He has been climbing for 30 years and is recognised as one of the best all-round climbers in the world, having climbed the world’s first E11 trad route, as well as some of the hardest ice routes and free solos. He is best known for his hardest trad climbs, Rhapsody (E11) on Dumbarton Rock and Echo Wall (E11) on Ben Nevis, but has also made hundreds of first ascents across Scotland and the greater ranges of the world, including the Dolomites, Norway and Patagonia. He has a Masters degree in Exercise Science and Human Nutrition, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by UHI for his contributions to climbing and science communication in sport.

The Everest Dream

Origin: Nepal
Duration: 32 minutes 45 seconds
Director: Ganesh Panday
Sponsored by The Munro Society

The Everest Dream is an inspiring mountaineering documentary that follows a remarkable journey of resilience, hope and human determination. The film tells the story of a group of traumatic brain injury survivors from Scotland who embarked on an extraordinary trek to Everest Base Camp in the Nepal Himalaya – a challenge many once believed they would never be able to attempt again.

After life-changing brain injuries that affected their memory, speech and mobility, participants such as Nicolas, Peter, Michael, Colin and Niall faced years of rehabilitation and uncertainty. Doctors once told some of them they might never walk, talk or live independently again. Yet through determination, support from family and intensive therapy they slowly rebuilt their lives and set their sights on an ambitious goal: trekking to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters.

Led by James Lamb and supported by families, Sherpa guides and the people of Nepal, the team travelled from Scotland to Kathmandu and into the heart of the Himalayas. Along the way, the film captures both the breathtaking beauty of Nepal and the emotional struggles of the climbers as they confronted altitude, physical limitations and the lingering effects of their injuries.

The journey is not without setbacks. At one point, Nicholas goes missing from the group on the trail, while Michael must make the difficult decision to stop short of Everest Base Camp due to health concerns. Yet these moments reveal the true spirit of the expedition — that success is not measured only by reaching a destination, but by the courage to keep moving forward.

Through powerful personal stories, emotional reunions with family members, and moments of connection with local communities along the trail, The Everest Dream explores the transformative power of adventure, friendship, and perseverance. Ultimately, the film shows that even after devastating injury, life can still hold extraordinary possibilities.

More than a story about climbing mountains, The Everest Dream is a testament to resilience, proving that every step forward, no matter how small, can be a victory.