Every November, Kendal Mountain Festival transforms the Lake District into a hub of exploration, endurance and storytelling, celebrating all things adventure. Whether you’re a climber, fell runner or simply drawn to the beauty of the outdoors, the festival’s film programme offers the ultimate adrenaline fix and inspiration to push beyond your limits. In honour of KMF 2025, one of our best shows yet, here’s a list of some of Team Grangers’ favourite outdoor adventure films, both legendary and new, to fuel your next expedition.
Frostbitten (2025)
A powerful documentary from Grangers ambassador Nigel Vardy, Frostbitten tells the harrowing yet inspiring story of survival following a 1999 expedition to climb Denali in Alaska. After suffering severe frostbite and losing his fingers, toes and parts of his face, Nigel redefines what it means to adventure with resilience. Despite these setbacks, Nigel has continued to climb and explore – a true testament to living without limits. Part of the Official Selection for the 2024 London Mountain Film Festival, this film is essential viewing for anyone who’s ever battled the elements and come out strong, reminding us that true adventure starts when things go wrong. Available on Amazon Prime.
Free Solo (2018)
Few films capture the heart-stopping tension of Free Solo, which follows Alex Honnold as he attempts to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan without ropes or safety gear. It takes the viewer on a journey of mental focus, physical conditioning and human limits. The cinematography alone, featuring dizzying drone shots and vertical close-ups, makes this a must-watch for climbers and those intrigued by how far the body and mind can go.
Touching the Void (2003)
A cornerstone of mountain film history, Touching the Void recounts Joe Simpson and Simon Yates’ near-fatal climb of the Peruvian Andes’ Siula Grande. Blending documentary and dramatic reconstruction, it’s a visceral exploration of decision-making under extreme duress and the sheer will to survive. It remains one of the most emotionally charged stories ever told in mountaineering cinema.
In the Footsteps of Banryu (2024)
Rab’s short but powerful film follows modern climbers retracing the routes of Banryu, an 18th-century monk who treated mountains as a place for challenge and reflection. It’s a calm, thoughtful look at why people seek solace in the wildest parts of nature.
Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young (2014)
Trail running doesn’t get tougher (or stranger) than the Barkley Marathons. This cult classic documentary delves into the world’s most eccentric and gruelling ultramarathon, set deep in the Tennessee wilderness. With only a handful of finishers in its history, it’s a celebration of grit, strength and a little touch of madness.
14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible (2021)
Follow Nimsdai Purja as he sets out to summit all 14 of the world’s 8000m peaks in under seven months. 14 Peaks is a story of human ambition, teamwork, innovation and Nepalese mountaineering. The high-altitude cinematography is breathtaking, and the message is clear: nothing is impossible.
Kendal Mountain Festival Shorts
Each year, the festival showcases a selection of shorter adventure films that capture the diversity and spirit of the global outdoor community. So, if you’re after a shorter outdoor film odyssey, here are a few of our previous favourites:
● Momo (2024): A beautiful portrait of connection and courage, exploring what it means to move freely in wild places.
● Plunge (2024): A deep dive (literally) into the world of cold-water immersion, exploring its mental and physical challenges and benefits.
● Flow (2023): A mesmerising journey blending skiing and art, filmed entirely on snow-covered slopes and frozen rivers.
● A Woman’s Place (2021): A vital story highlighting the role of women in British mountaineering, challenging stereotypes and championing inclusivity on the rock face.
● Vautour (2024): A French short following wingsuit pilots as they fly through Alpine ridgelines, inspired by the natural flight paths of vultures.
These films aren't just about summits and finish lines, they’re about human connection to the wild, the perseverance to overcome adversity and the creativity that fuels every outdoor pursuit. Whether you’re prepping for your next expedition or looking for that spark of inspiration, the Kendal Mountain Festival lineup reminds us that adventure is everywhere – you just need to be brave enough to seek it.
Check out Kendal Mountain Festival’s official 2025 selection here.
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