I recently returned from a trip to Boulder, Colorado where I was able to attend Adventure Film School as well as the Boulder Adventure Film Festival. If there is anything that gets me excited and pumped (besides adventure itself), it’s Adventure Film. There’s just something about hearing and watching people’s stories. Some are about perseverance, some are about saving our environment and sacred places, some are about the crazy characters in the outdoor world, and they are all a wonderful art. There’s also something about watching these films at a festival with the outdoor community. All of these like-minded people not only watching, but being totally immersed in the films. It’s one of my favorite things: adventure, adventure film, and adventure people. What more could you ask for?
Since, unfortunately, not all of y’all were able to attend the Boulder Adventure Film Festival (sorry to rub it in your faces), I thought I’d highlight and give my own awards to some of the films. To be honest, they were all really great, but there were a few that really stuck out to me.
The Most Entertaining Film Award: Freedom of the Wheels
Matt Segal and Will Stanhope have done it again. If you don’t know who these two are, they are two pro climbers who, by looking at them, don’t necessarily look or act like pro climbers. However, they know how to get things done. This film follows their next adventure together. One that has never been done before. If you’re a fan of Dumb and Dumber you’ll be a fan of this film.
Watch the trailer for Freedom of the Wheels here
The Most Pumped Up Film Award: Where the Wild Things Play
This film is a music/video montage giving a shout out to those women who are out there in the wild. Whether you are female or male, it will get you excited to go out and try a few more hardcore things (and for the men to appreciate those hardcore women). The humorous start and finish of this film really adds to the effect.
Watch Where the Wild Things Play here.
The Longest Film Award: Blood Road
This film was 90 minutes of epic. The reasoning of the adventure draws you in right from the first shot. You feel yourself feeling for the main characters from the very beginning. The only critique I would have is, for a film festival it was a little long. A 60 minute film might have been a little better. But for an evening at home, sit back, relax, and enjoy a journey to closure on the Ho Chi Minh trail.
Watch the trailer for Blood Road here
The Most Like The Kind of Work I Want To Do Film Award: Our Theory of Human Motivation
It’s no secret that it’s my dream to work for Duct Tape Then Beer. Maybe I’m a little biased, but they are probably some of the best storytellers I know. Every film of theirs I watch gets me stoked, inspired, and wanting to watch it again. This one’s no exception.
Watch Our Theory on Human Motivation here
The Best Badassery in a Film Film Award: Safety Third
SPOILER ALERT: This film will appear in the Sender Film’s Reel Rock Tour. If you are attending Reel Rock do not read further. It will be even better to watch it with a group!
Brad Gobright is the perfect character for a climbing film. He’s awkward, forgetful, relatable, goofy, oh, and possibly one of the best and fearless climbers of today. This film will have you laughing while also grabbing the edge of your seat as you watch Brad climb some, fall some, and be a whole lot of awkward.
Safety Third is not yet available. Read more about the film here.
I highly recommend watching these films, and all the films that were a part of the festival. They were all wonderful and captivating. Adventure Films remind us of what it feels like to chase your passion, and that life is too short to sit still (unless you’re watching the films of course). So thank you, Boulder, for hosting this great film festival. I’m already looking forward to next year!
So what’s next you ask? I’m headed to the Reel Rock Film Tour in November. Look for my review of the films soon after!
Written By: Lydia Huelskamp