Jordan’s expeditions have taken him across all seven continents and to over 150 countries, from running the coldest marathons on Earth, to rowing across the world’s most dangerous waters, summiting unclimbed peaks, and attempting to be the first person to paddleboard around Britain to name just a few of his intrepid adventures. His journey is one of resilience and purpose. Through these extreme challenges and his life changing experiences, he explores how the great outdoors can inspire better mental and physical well-being while empowering people across the world to dream bigger, push their limits, and create their own path whilst having a positive impact on the world. Prepare to be inspired!
12 years +. Potential strong language. Younger children welcome at parents discretion
The Scottish Outdoor and Adventure Film Tour is back
Join us for an uplifting evening that showcases the very best of the Scottish outdoors, adventure, and filmmaking on screen. Our lineup features a diverse collection of the best short films that celebrate Scotland’s wild places and the people who enjoy them.
This year, we’ve got everything from skiing to running, climbing to mountain biking, with stories about friends exchanging their skills to enjoy the outdoors in a changing climate, two brothers’ first big cycling adventure, and a champion mountain biker shredding his local trails.
These films will move you, entertain you, and ignite your love for the outdoors, all bringing inspiring and empowering stories to the big screen!
Whether you're an adventurer, nature lover, or enjoy a good story, there’s something for everyone
PARALLEL LINES Set in the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, Parallel Lines is a short film that moves beyond the pursuit of performance and perfection to rediscover the simple joy of being outdoors. Amid unpredictable weather and changing conditions, three friends swap their usual disciplines of skiing, running, and climbing to learn from one another. What starts as a light-hearted challenge evolves into something much deeper: moments of laughter, humility, and connection that remind them why they fell in love with the hills in the first place. Parallel Lines is a story of friendship, curiosity, and the shared spirit that binds those who find home in the wild. Directors: Ryan Balharry and Bob Zane Run Time: 18 minutes
TO KNOW A MOUNTAIN What does it take to know a mountain? A group of women set out into the Cairngorms Mountains to answer this question, following in the footsteps of writer & mountaineer Nan Shepherd – who pioneered a different way of being in the mountains. Tired of all the stories focused on racing to the summit, Hannah Westhenry fell into the pages of her beloved book The Living Mountain, by Scottish writer & explorer Nan Shepherd. Inspired by Nan’s work, Hannah brings together a diverse group of women to follow in Nan's footsteps, adventuring into the UK's largest and wildest mountain range to tell a different story. ‘To Know A Mountain’ , a film by Emily Baker and Michelle Sanders, interweaves visuals of the Cairngorms – from its grand landscapes to its smallest details – into an anti-summit story, promoting inclusion in the outdoors, and representing a diversity of ways of being in the mountains not often told in adventure films. Directors: Emily Baker and Michelle Sanders Run Time: 17 minutes
MASA: 居場所 (THE PLACE WHERE I AM) In Masa : 居場所 (The Place Where I Am), we root ourselves in exploring the concepts of home and belonging – and what those mean to Masa Sakano. Blending together Scottish and Japanese landscape, culture and language, the film will take us from the icy crags of the Scottish mountains, to Masa‘s home in the shadow of the Cairngorms, and back to his roots and family connections in rural Japan. Director: Rachel Sarah Run Time: 18 minutes ALTER EGO Follows champion endurance mountain biker Kyle Beattie as he rides the fine line between control and chaos. Blending high-speed freeride with a dark, cinematic edge, the film explores the quiet intensity that fuels a rider’s obsession. Shot entirely on local trails near Inverness, ALTER EGO is a portrait of passion, landscape, and love for the outdoors. The film is a celebration of Scotland’s rugged terrain and the people who live to move through it and the locals that have made this place a hub for adventure. Director: Will Rabbitt Run Time: 3 minutes
MONSTER MILES Two brothers head off of their first Bikepacking Adventure in search of the Loch Ness Monster. Director: Sean Conway Run Time: 4 minutes
THRAWN In the Scottish Highlands, the word “thrawn” means “stubborn" but for a good reason —a virtuous struggle to make the most of what’s available. Professional snowboarder Lesley McKenna was raised on this innate tenacity, and has spent her life pushing the boundaries of her sport and advocating for the people and place that shaped her. The film shows the unique power of the snow community in its resilience and stubbornness to make the best of things, which is what “Thrawn” is about. Director Hannah Bailey explains “the Cairngorms breeds a special kind of folk who make do with what they have, and make use of every opportunity out there. In times of environmental and societal uncertainty, this community virtue of adaptability and resilience is more important than ever. This story is an example of that. " Director: Hannah Bailey Run Time: 15 minutes
AGAINST THE CLOCK Against The Clock is a short documentary exploring the life and passion of 88 year old, Caithness Cycling Club cyclist Alasdair Washington. Blending race footage with moments of personal reflection, the film offers an honest portrait of his lasting connection to the sport. It looks at the discipline, determination and enjoyment that continue to fuel his competitive spirit. Rather than focusing on results alone, the story captures the essence of what it means to keep showing up and pushing forward. What keeps the wheels turning when time refuses to slow down? Both intimate and authentic, Against The Clock celebrates a lifelong passion for cycling and community. Director: Jonathan Baikie Run Time: 13 minutes
SKATEBOARDING SCOTTISH ISLANDS An artist–skateboarder sets out across the Hebridean islands, using a long-distance skateboard and a sketchbook as tools for exploration. Travelling more than 650 kilometres and visiting seventeen islands - some familiar, others entirely new - he documents the journey through drawing, writing, photography, and film. The project focuses on immediate experience: responding to the landscape, the weather, and the shifting character of island roads with no agenda beyond moving through the terrain. As the relationship between rider, environment, and road surface deepens, the journey reveals a new way of observing and engaging with place. Shot primarily during solo travel, the film accompanies a wider body of artwork produced on the road but stands independently as a meditation on movement, environment, and creative process. It marks the beginning of an ongoing exploration- one that promises more pushing ahead. Director: Andy Spink Run Time: 10 minutes
CAPSIZED Some people dream of summiting the highest peaks, of visiting a remote island, of being the fastest to navigate a route. But not Emily. Emily dreams of esoteric adventure, and of dragging a canoe across a bog. Enlisting her friend Lisa to join her, the pair set off to the Isle of Lewis, to navigate its intricate system of lochs. But before any trip comes the prep, and part of that means finding the right kit. For Emily, this can be a tough adventure in and of itself. When outdoor shops only stock technical clothing up to a size 16, how is adventure possible for the 45% of women in the UK who wear larger sizes? Director: Roxanna Barry Run Time: 17 minutes
A documentary exploring the underwater world of the UK. With Q&A by Director Jack Perks
From chalk streams to open sea, Jack Perks’ film looks at the lives of some of our most underrated wildlife, fish. Narrated by biologist and television presenter Jeremy Wade (of River Monsters fame), the film was shot over two years to bring stories, behaviours and previously unseen footage of British fish to light.
Author, designer and knitting ‘expert’ Susan Crawford, has long been fascinated by the link between social and fashion history. One of the most obvious examples of this connection occurred during the WW11. In June 1941, clothes rationing was introduced throughout the UK due a nationwide shortage of raw materials. During this talk Susan will cover the impact of the war and rationing on the wool industry and the changes it brought about. Susan will discuss how clothes rationing worked and explain how knitting and repairing became a huge part of the war effort with the ‘Make Do and Mend’ campaign and will share some helpful hints we can all carry through to modern-day life.
Susan has been involved in the wool and yarn industry for over 25 years. Now as an author, publisher, designer, teacher, yarn producer and until recently, a tenant farmer, Susan runs her yarn business from her wool studio in Staveley. Susan specialises in British wools for hand knitting, spun to her exact requirements and sent to the studio to be hand dyed and sold all over the world. Susan's books contain knitting patterns, the history of the knitting industry and hand knitting. Her main area of interest is knitted fashions of the early twentieth century.
This talk is a wonderful addition to visiting "The Longest Yarn 2 " in Exhibition in Hall 1. A 3D display of D Day, knitted and crocheted by a community of people from all over the world. 80 x 3D knitted and crocheted displays which focus on Britain at War from 3 September 1939 to VE Day on 8 May 1945. In beautiful detail and all to scale, it will focus on all aspects of life from rationing, evacuees and the blitz, to the grim headlines during Britain’s darkest hour and the euphoria of peace.
KENDAL MOUNTAIN TOUR 2026: Adventure Film Screening CINEMATIC
Join us for the Kendal Mountain Cinematic Tour 2026! This exclusive film-only event brings you a handpicked selection of Kendal Mountain Festival’s award-winning adventure films, showcasing daring feats, breathtaking locations, and powerful stories of human resilience. Experience the thrill and excitement from the comfort of your seat; whether you're a seasoned adventurer, or simply someone who loves a great story, this is your chance to escape into the world’s most stunning landscapes and be inspired by the extraordinary journeys of those who dare to explore them.
New Terrain Krister Kopala, a name synonymous with world-class snowboarding, and Thea Røhme, an aspiring mountain guide on the cusp of realizing her ambitions, embark on a life-altering journey. Their destination: the breathtaking, untamed wilderness of western Norway, a land of majestic peaks and deep fjords, where they plan to chase their individual dreams amidst the raw beauty of the mountains. Their love story is intertwined with a shared passion for the alpine world, a bond forged in the exhilarating pursuit of extreme sports. However, the mountains, while offering unparalleled exhilaration, are also unforgiving. When tragedy strikes, they are forced to confront not only the inherent risks of their chosen lifestyle but also the delicate balance of trust that underpins their relationship. This crisis compels them to confront deeply personal questions: How do you navigate the exposed terrain of both a mountain and a relationship when the one you love the most is by your side, and at risk? How do you reconcile individual aspirations with the shared vulnerability of being in such a demanding environment? Their journey becomes a testament to resilience, a raw exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of nature's formidable might. They must learn to trust not only in their own abilities but also in each other, rediscovering the foundation of their bond amidst the stark realities of life and death in the mountains. Filip Christenson 30 mins
Mother River Follow Devin Brown's quest to become the first Black woman to kayak the entire Mississippi River. Jeremiah Schuster 7 mins
Poacha’s Journal The essence of freeriding in its purest form. With no script and no rules, this short film follows four young riders as they explore uncharted territories on their bikes. The film masterfully blends grainy 16mm film with crisp digital cinematography, creating a vivid and artistic portrayal of the unbridled joy, freedom, and pure stoke that only two wheels can deliver. Paddy Graham 5mins
Vautour Following their impressive "Fond of Font" project, which saw them complete a remarkable 100 x 7A bouldering challenge, the dynamic climbing duo of Seb Berthe and Hugo Parmentier are embarking on an ambitious new endeavor. Their latest dream is to tackle a monumental endurance climbing challenge: ascending five major long routes in the breathtaking Verdon Gorge, all within a single 24-hour period. This isn't merely about achieving big numbers, though the statistics are certainly formidable, an astonishing 1500 metres of 8th-grade climbing awaits them. On a deeper level, their adventure is really about what makes their partnership tick: the incredible strength of their friendship and their shared dedication to ethical climbing. Their journey is set to showcase amazing human endurance, the power of their connection, and their commitment to the true spirit of the sport. Brian Mathé 30 mins
Showing Up In June 2024, an adventure seeking couple set out to hike the entire length of the European Alps, on a route called ‘Via Alpina’ - a distance of 2000 kilometers across 145,000 meters in elevation. That’s the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest…17 times! With no real mountain experience and little training, this is as much a story of failure as it is of success! Of a life-changing adventure that tested their will and their relationship and which serves as a personal commentary on how we define success in the world we live in. Prashant Madan 7 mins
Peripheral "Peripheral" invites audiences on a journey alongside Lucy, a spirited individual navigating a pivotal and deeply personal transformation. The film intimately portrays her struggle with the gradual deterioration of her sight, a challenge that profoundly impacts her existence. Yet, rather than succumbing to this adversity, Lucy embraces her profound love for the outdoors, transforming it into a conduit for self-discovery and resilience. More than just a narrative of overcoming physical limitations, "Peripheral" delves into the essence of human perception and adaptation. It's a poignant exploration of how we find strength in vulnerability, and how the vast, untamed beauty of nature can illuminate our inner landscape, guiding us through life's most challenging transitions. Lucy's story is an inspiring testament to the power of the human spirit, demonstrating that even when one sense diminishes, others can awaken, deepening our connection to the world around us. Peter Naylor 30 mins