The new online programme for The Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 has been announced. A superb collection of adventure films covering 12 different themes, each set comprising four to five uplifting, exhilarating and educational films from around the world.
As a direct result of the current Covid-19 restrictions, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival have today, Sunday 14 February 2021, announced a fully digital programme for the 17th edition of the world-renowned festival.
Undeterred by the Covid-19 pandemic the organising committee of enthusiastic volunteers will present a stunning line-up of inspirational films; impressive action and adventure, educational and environmental, all organised from the bustling Highland town of Fort William, the beating heart of ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’. All films in the mixed programme can be viewed online from Friday 19 February 2021, for up to 30 days. Tickets and Festival Passes will go on sale on the festival website at 0.00hrs 19 February until 24.00hrs 25 February 2021.
The action-packed programme encompasses a series of world class outdoor adventure films split into 12 individual categories, each comprising a mix of four to five adrenaline fuelled and thought-provoking films. They have been specially selected from both the festival’s International Film Competition entries and the hugely popular Banff Centre Mountain Festival World Tour; together with films produced for the festival’s very own annual Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture, that celebrate a range of outstanding achievements, and some thought provoking films with an environmental focus. The categories include climbing, snowsports, biking, family, environment and a festival mystery selection.
Festival programme – https://mountainfestival.co.uk/tickets/events/
Festival Showreel 2021
Of course, the Fort William Mountain Festival is not just for high adrenaline adventure enthusiasts, aspiring explorers, and weekend warriors. It is for everyone who appreciates the value, richness, and diversity of the great outdoors.
Rod Pashley, Chairman of The Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival, said: “It has been a very challenging year for all concerned and we are very fortunate to live in an area of outstanding natural beauty that provides the opportunity to breath in the wonderful fresh air, exercise and relax. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that celebrating the wild landscape that surrounds us in Fort William and Lochaber is the inspiration behind the Mountain Festival. The mountains, glens, rivers, and coastline influence our culture in many ways, whether it is the beauty of the landscape, our engagement with it, or the opportunities we find in it. This year, more than ever, we understand the power of the outdoors for our own health and well-being; the therapeutic nature of a short stroll in the outdoors or indeed a quiet outdoor place to sit and reflect; to re-energise. The Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 on-line event has something for everyone with a love for the outdoors”
The 17th edition of the Fort William Mountain Festival is sponsored by Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Patagonia, JAHAMA Highland Estates, The University of the Highlands and Islands West Highland College, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and the John Muir Trust. The Festival also values our many friends and supporters behind the scenes including Nevis Landscape Partnership, OCUK, the Highland Council, the Highland Cinema, Abacus Mountain Guides, Rare Breed Productions, the Highland Bookshop, Lamont Design and many more.
The 12 film categories at the 6-day Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 include:
International Film Competition Award films
2021 has seen a record number of entrants to our International Film Competition and picking the winners has been not been easy. This is your opportunity to see the four winning films in one binge-worthy selection.
The categories for the International Film Competition are:
- BEST SHORT FILM – any film less than 15 minutes long.
- BEST MOUNTAIN SPORTS FILM – Films featuring any mountain sport including climbing; snow sports; kayaking; mountain biking; base jumping; paragliding, etc.
- BEST EXPLORATION AND ADVENTURE FILM – Films that depict adventure or exploration and can feature any outdoor pursuit such as cycling the length of a country or kayaking across an ocean.
- JOHN MUIR TRUST WILD PLACES FILM PRIZE – Any film that pertains to our wild places and shows the meaningful impact that spending time in wild places can have on individuals or groups of people.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Once again, we are delighted to bring the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour to Fort William! Some of the best adventure and mountain culture films of the last year. This selection of films is always a sell-out and we have limited tickets available for online viewing.
Festival Choice – a mystery selection
Not sure which selection to go for? Don’t worry because we have the Festival’s Choice! This stunning set of films should not be missed and there is something in there to satisfy all adventurous appetites.
Air
Take to the skies with the Air Selection! BASE jumping, paragliding and high-lining between hot air balloons are just some of the breath-taking feats in store for you with this selection of incredible films.
Biking
Get the wheels rolling with the Biking Selection! But it’s not all biking. As well as the ultimate endurance bike race and long-distance bike packing, we also have some high speed long boarding thrown in for good measure!
Climbing
The Climbing Selection brings you up close and personal with some of the most incredible climbing feats of the year. Whether you climb or not, it is impossible not to be amazed by the physical and mental strength of these men and women. Although, it’s not all about pulling on the tiniest of holds on an impossibly steep roof. This selection of films is bound to leave you pondering your next adventure.
Environmental
The Environmental Selection brings you a collection of this year’s finest films exploring environmental issues faced around the world, broaching subjects such as glacier recession, deer management and climate change.
Family
Get the little ones inspired with the Family Selection! In keeping with previous years, the Family Selection is packed with films that are sure to motivate the smaller members of the family keen for adventures, leading the adults out the door.
Running
When it’s damp out it is time to run, and the Running Selection will bring you a great set of films showcasing the highest levels of perseverance, grit and determination. From Wales to Tajikistan and back to the Lakes, you can run anywhere, and all you need is a pair of trainers and sense of adventure.
Skiing
It’s the Skiing Selection! And that can only mean one thing. Get ready for the finest selection of powder-shredding, line-sending and awe-inspiring ski films of the year. These films will leave you psyched for powder days and ready to hit the slopes at the next opportunity.
Watersports
From paddling high altitude rivers in Tajikistan to swimming the lakes of the Lake District, Watersports Selection brings you an enthralling and gripping evening of some of the best watersports adventures of recent times. We’ll visit little paddled rivers in far flung corners of the world and also bring it back to the UK where it is easy to find challenge and adventure close to home.
Patagonia Film Selection
A number of specially selected films for us from Patagonia one of our key sponsors
The Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture and The Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture These prestigious awards recognise and celebrate lives spent in the hills, exploring everything the land has to offer whilst inspiring others along the way. The 2021 winners will be announced in February.
To find out more about the Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 and to buy tickets, go to https://mountainfestival.co.uk.
Ends
Media contacts:
Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] | M: 07913 951717
Rod Pashley | Fort William Mountain Festival | E: [email protected] | M: 07785282733
For more downloadable promotional images from the FWMF film programme go to https://www.dropbox.com/sh/05o5m5qqe2sqbq4/AABHlUUDPQfJkZkyczuy06hNa?dl=0
The Fort William Mountain Festival on digital:
Website – https://mountainfestival.co.uk
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mountainfestival/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/fort.william.mountain.festival
Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/fwmf
Notes to Editors:
The Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 runs on-line from Wednesday 19 to Sunday 25 February 2021 – https://mountainfestival.co.uk
Ticket pricing and viewing terms and conditions:
Ticket Prices
£10 per selected film category
£60 – Full Festival Pass: Includes all categories except for the BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
£10 – BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Online Viewing terms and conditions
Tickets on sale, (on-line), from 0.00hrs (GMT) 19 February to 24.00hrs (GMT) 25 February 2021
Viewing period for selections, except BANFF Mountain Film Festival World Tour, is 30 days from time of purchase
BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is NOT included in the Festival Pass
BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour conditions:
Tickets for sale (on-line) from 19th February to 25th February 2021
Viewing Period for BANFF Mountain Film Festival World Tour – 48 hours from time of purchase
Sponsors and supporters
The Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 programme is sponsored by Ellis Brigham, Patagonia, University of the Highlands and Islands, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, JAHAMA Highland Estates and The John Muir Trust.
The Festival is also supported by the Nevis Landscape Partnership, The Outdoor Capital UK, the Highland Council. Rare Breed Productions, Abacus Mountain Guides, Nevis Range, Lamont Design, The Highland Cinema and the Highland Bookshop
Festival organisers
The Highland Mountain Culture Association Limited, is a not-for-profit organisation, whose aim is to promote the understanding and appreciation of the world’s mountain places and people, by creating opportunities for people of all ages to share their mountain experiences, ideas and visions. To showcase these ideals, it stages annually a programme of events within the Lochaber area, called The Fort William Mountain Festival. The Festival is organised by a dynamic Organising Committee, all volunteers, made up of a team of hard working local outdoor enthusiasts.
The Outdoor Capital of the UK
The Outdoor Capital of the UK is Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s tourism brand, promoting adventure for all! The Chamber publicises, sponsors, and promotes Fort William and Lochaber as the best place in the UK for everyone to experience the outdoors; with a view to developing local jobs and wealth and encouraging sustainable economic growth. This is done through a range of collaborative marketing initiatives and activities. The organisation currently has a wide range of member businesses ranging from accommodation, food, and drink, and activity providers to non-tourism focused businesses who support the aims of the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and acknowledge that tourism is crucial to the local economy. Many of these businesses are SMEs and by pulling resources and working as a team the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce achieves the positive results that individually the members couldn’t otherwise reach. The Chamber also produces the Outdoor Capital of the UK website, the go to site for local events, outdoor activities, and visitor accommodation in the area. www.outdoorcapital.co.uk / www.lochaberchamber.co.uk.
