Epic journeys are the key focus of the 15^th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival – 3-4 February 2018, George Square Theatre, Edinburgh.

 

Kite-surfing across the Greenlandic ice cap, paddling through the Amazon in a self-made dugout canoe and various self-powered journeys around the world form some of the intriguing stories to be discovered at this year’s Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, which is now in its 15^th year. Running from Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 February 2018, the popular mountain festival combines the best mountain and adventure films with powerful presentations from some of the world’s top adventurers.

 

Home-talent is represented with an eagerly-anticipated presentation by Mark Beaumont, who recently smashed the world record for cycling around the globe. Taking more than four years longer to circumnavigate the globe is Sarah Outen MBE, whose ‘London2London: Via the World’ expedition saw her loop the planet using a rowing boat, bike and kayak – a journey of some 25,000 miles that took four and a half years. Meanwhile, sticking close to its roots within the walking, climbing and mountaineering community, the festival welcomes English crack-climbing supremo Pete Whittaker and American mountaineer Kelly Cordes – known for his bold ascents in Patagonia (as well as for making the best margaritas in Colorado!).

 

 

The festival will also screen almost 20 adventure films, covering epic journeys by bike, kayak canoe and kite-assisted skis, as well as documenting scary climbs, swimming with orcas, epic mountain biking and sketchy ski descents down some of the steepest mountain faces in Scotland.

 

The two-day festival is being staged, as always, at George Square Lecture Theatre in Edinburgh. Tickets for the popular festival start at £8 and are on sale now at www.emff.co.uk/ with the organisers reporting that tickets are already selling fast.

 

Excited by the huge variety of adventures being highlighted by the event, Festival Director Stevie Christie said: “The standard of films being submitted is so high that we’ve had to leave out some wonderful films. But the films that have made the final selection are fantastic and I know our audience will be thrilled and inspired by them. Our speakers will then elevate the festival to a new level. ’

 

The festival, staged in association with Tiso, Mountain Equipment, Alien Rock and Wilderness Scotland, expects big numbers from the climbing, snowsports, kayaking, adventure sports, outdoor photography and filmmaking communities; as well as those who love the outdoors, travel and mountain adventure, from all over the UK to attend the event. From its humble beginnings in 2003, it’s grown to be one of the most popular and dynamic events in Scotland’s outdoor adventure calendar, attracting in excess of 2,000 outdoor enthusiasts annually.

 

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For full details of the festival and how to buy tickets go to: https://emff.co.uk/

 

Media Contact:

For information on The 15^th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, for images and to arrange interviews with Festival Director, Stevie Christie, any of the guest speakers or filmmakers; or to arrange private viewings of selected films, please contact:

 

Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] | M: +44 (0)7913 951717

 

Notes For Editors:

 

1. The 15th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival takes place from Saturday 3 to Sunday 4 February 2018. The festival is staged in the George Square Lecture Theatre, George Square, at Edinburgh University.

 

1. Tickets cost from £8 – £14 and are available now from https://emff.co.uk/ or on the door, subject to availability. Some sessions will sell out in advance.

 

1. The festival aims to promote mountain culture and provide a platform for adventure film-makers to showcase their work. In short, to entertain, enlighten and inspire. It also acts as a social gathering for Scotland’s vibrant outdoor scene. Finally, it raises funds for Mountain Rescue and the John Muir Trust.

 

The festival features lectures by leading mountaineers, adventurers and explorers, many short films and various exhibitions. The guest speakers are as follows:

 

• Speaker Bio – Mark Beaumont – https://markbeaumontonline.com/#about
• Speaker Bio – Sarah Outen MBE – http://www.sarahouten.com/meet-sarah/
• Speaker Bio – Kelly Cordes – https://emff.co.uk/speakers/
• Speaker Bio – Pete Whittaker – http://petewhittaker.co.uk

 

1. Previous speakers include Sir Chris Bonington, Doug Scott, Ueli Steck, Simon Yates, Steph Davies, Benedict Allen, Catherine Destivelle and Andy Kirkpatrick.

 

1. The Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival was first held in 2003. Previous winners of the ‘Best Film Award’ are:

 

1. • 2003: ‘Pushing Winter’ – a snowboarding film by Paul Raistrick of Aviemore
   • 2004: ‘Never Say Nevis Again’ – a kayaking film by Steve Rogers of Fort William
   • 2005: ‘Cano-Bagging’ – a ski mountaineering film by Blair Aitken of Edinburgh
   • 2006: ‘E11’ – Dave MacLeod’s landmark climbing film by Paul Diffley
   • 2007: ‘Scottish Extremities’ – a sea-kayaking film by Patrick Winterton
   • 2008: ‘Echo Wall’ – Dave MacLeod’s climb on Ben Nevis by Claire MacLeod
   • 2009: ‘The Sharp End’ – a climbing film by Sender Films of Colorado
   • 2010: ‘Solo’ – a sea kayaking adventure by Jennifer Peedom of Australia
   • 2011: ‘Eastern Rises’ – a Kamchatka adventure by Felt Soul Media of Colorado
   • 2012: ‘Cold’ – a winter ascent of Annapurna, by Anson Fogel of Colorado
   • 2014: ‘Distilled’ – a biopic of mountaineer Andy Cave by Paul Diffley
   • 2015: ‘Valley Uprising’ – a movie about Yosemite by Sender Films of Colorado
   • 2016: ‘Operation Moffat’ – Britain’s first female mountain guide, Gwen Moffat
   • 2017: ‘Dodo’s Delight’ – a sailing and mountaineering adventure in Baffin Island

 

1. The major sponsors of the Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival 2018 are:

 

1. • Tiso
   • Mountain Equipment
   • Alien Rock
   • Wilderness Scotland

 

1. The festival is always keen to hear from companies or organisations who are interested in being a sponsor.