Porters' Progress Best of Kendal

Award-winning mountain films capture best of human spirit, determination and downright stupidity

Best of Kendal Mountain Film Festival promises to entertain and inspire

An ambitious Arctic expedition to climb Mt Asgard, a fresh perspective on war-torn Afghanistan, and a dose of "ski-porn" are among the award-winning highlights from Kendal Mountain Film Festival on show at the Royal Geographical Society in London on March 16.

For the fourth year running, charity - Porters' Progress UK, is hosting the event to raise funds for porter projects in the Himalaya and other mountain ranges.

"These films rarely get an airing beyond the climbing and mountaineering fraternity but the stories they tell often have a cultural or psychological element and highlight the great strength of the human spirit and our ability to overcome adversity," says Porters' Progress UK chairman Toby Gee.

"Whether you're an armchair traveller or seeking ideas for your next adventure, this selection of films will entertain, inspire and intrigue you.  The films take us to remote corners of the earth and remind us how important it is to preserve our incredible natural heritage and wilderness areas, and support the people who live in these regions."

Afghanistan - A Small Flame of Hope offers a portrait of the people in the Wakhan Corridor in the remote North-East. This largely peaceful region of Afghanistan, surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountains has become a focus for Mountain Unity International, set up to promote economic development, particularly through mountain tourism.

"We wanted to demonstrate how responsible trekking and mountaineering expeditions are beginning to improve the lives of the desperately poor people who live in this remote region," says film director and producer David James.

Highlights from the 2009 Kendal Mountain Film Festival also include the winner of coveted People's Choice Award, The Asgard Project - an expedition to make the first free ascent of the daunting north face of Mt Asgard on Baffin Island, and then BASE-jump off the top.

"It was a hugely ambitious expedition which pushed the team to their limits in an extreme environment. This created a massive air of uncertainty but a real sense of adventure, making it a thrill to film and produce," says film-maker Alastair Lee.

Kendal Grand Prize Winner First Ascent - Alone on the Wall promises palm sweating footage as legendary Alex Honnolds free solos (climbing without rope or other forms of protection) Moonlight Buttress in Zion and Half Dome's Northwest Face in Yosemite.

Proceeds from the Porters' Progress UK Best of Kendal event will be dedicated to improving the lives of porters in the Himalaya and other mountain ranges.

PROGRAMME

Afghanistan - A Small Flame of Hope - Winner ‘Best Short Film'

8 mins / mountaineering

The Wakhan Corridor in the far north east of Afghanistan has remained entirely peaceful. Could the return of respectful trekkers and mountaineers light a small flame of hope in a country blighted by war?
Directed & Produced by David James

Samsara - Winner ‘Best Mountain Adventure Film'

22 mins / mountaineering / Tibet

Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk travel to Mt Meru, one of the most iconic and sacred peaks on the planet. This creative look at the remote Himalayan climbing experience includes art and 3D photo animations, bringing the personal experience of suffering and beauty to the audience.

Directed by Ed Stobart, Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker. Produced by Renan Ozturk.

Red Helmet

6 mins / adrenalin mix

Overcome with fear, a young boy runs into a forest. He finds a magic red helmet and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. Slowly he builds up the courage to return and confront his boyhood fears.

Directed by Tyler Young. Produced by Tyler Young and Dave Barlia.

Signatures

8 mins / skiing / Japan

Skiing in Japan looks quite literally out of this world. A beautiful film with a mesmerising soundtrack and narration. "Breathtaking...a contender for best ski-porn film of all time!"  (Matt Heason, Mountain Fest)

Directed and produced by Nick Waggoner.

First Ascent: Alone on the Wall - Winner ‘The Grand Prize and Best Climbing Film'
22 mins / climbing / USA 
This film focuses on what are arguably two of the most audacious climbs in the history of the sport - Alex Honnolds' free solos of Moonlight Buttress in Zion and Half Dome's Northwest Face in Yosemite. The NW face is 23 pitches long and graded E5. Palm-sweating footage is mixed with insightful clips from his friends and family.
Directed & produced by Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen

The Asgard Project

80 mins / mountaineering / Baffin Island, Canada

A stunning new adventure film featuring top climber Leo Houlding's ambitious expedition to make the first free ascent of Mt Asgard's daunting north face, regarded as one of the most difficult big walls in the world.

Directed and produced by Alastair Lee.

About Porters' Progress UK

Set up six years ago, Porters' Progress UK is dedicated to improving the lives of porters through programmes promoting advocacy, education and empowerment.

Even today, every year porters die in the Nepali Himalaya due to inadequate equipment. Porters' Progress UK is funds the Everest Clothing Bank in Lukla which loans protective clothing to trekking porters for high altitude use. It also supports the KEEP Porter Clothing Bank in Kathmandu and the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project in Tanzania.

For more information go to: http://www.portersprogress.org/