MOUNTAINFILM On Tour - Bend, 2.21.25

Night One Films:

Re by Iz La Motte

Twenty years ago, Re forged a new path in the outdoor sports community as one of the few women in her field. As an action sports photographer, she is dedicated to working with and showcasing the strength and individual personalities of female athletes. Re landed the first cover shot of a woman for Backcountry Magazine and the first all-female cover shot for Skiing Magazine. She views her work as a catalyst, fostering a social shift in the perception of female athletes in popular culture.

(USA. 2023, 6 min.) Iz La Motte

Flora, Fauna, Funga

This short film follows Chilean mycologist Giuliana Furci’s search for new mushrooms in far southern Chile, on the main island of Tierra del Fuego. She’s joined by biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake and mycologist Toby Kiers from SPUN, the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks, whose goal is to map the mycorrhizal networks of the world. Together, the three scientists illuminate how fungi underpin every ecosystem on Earth and outline a strategy for greater fungal inclusion in conservation policy.

(USA, 2024, 17 min.) Sam Sheline

Dancing Warrior

On windswept hills surrounded by the bluffs of the Lakota Badlands sits the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. For the native youth, living here can be a struggle — the teen suicide rate is among the highest in the country. But many have found hope and purpose in the unlikeliest of places: the traditional sport of horse racing known as Indian Relay. The film follows one teen racing team named Dancing Warrior, who come together to compete and support each other as they face the challenges of life on the reservation. This short film is a coming-of-age story of Lakota teens as they find strength in tradition and passion in competition.

(USA, 2024, 10 min.) Rachel McDonald & Peter Goetz

Ascend

This documentary follows the inspiring story of a group of young women from Afghanistan who pursued their passion for climbing and mountaineering despite facing grave risks. But when the Taliban seized power, they were forced to flee their homes and start anew in the United States. Members of the Yosemite Search & Rescue team learned about the women’s plight and invited them to spend a week in Yosemite, where they could safely reunite and find solace in the climbing community. Through this heartwarming tale, viewers witness the strength and resilience of these young women as they adapt to life in a new country and forge new friendships with fellow climbers.

(USA, 2023, 20 min.) Kathryn Francis, Campbell Brewer

Ghost Resorts

With ski lifts no longer spinning and buildings falling into disrepair, abandoned ski areas are nestled among the snow-drifted peaks of Japan. The country’s massive economic boom in the 1980s fueled a wild demand for skiing and an explosion of new mountain resorts. The financial collapse that followed in 1991 decimated both the Japanese economy and the ski industry. Today, hundreds of ghost resorts span the mountains as silent witnesses to the pace of change. Yet the deep powder beckons those who seek to experience an unconventional backcountry adventure.

(Japan, 2024, 10 min.) Michael J Brown & Zeppelin Zeerip

Near the River

In the tourist town of Livingstone, Zambia, a group of local men who make their living portering kayaks aspire to become safety kayakers on the Zambezi River. However, the proposed Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Scheme threatens to flood the famous rapids of the Zambezi and eliminate river-related jobs.

(USA, 2023, 11 min.) Darby A. McAdams

Seat 31: Zooey Zephyr

When Zooey Zephyr was expelled from the Montana House of Representatives for speaking on a bill banning gender-affirming medical care, she made a nearby bench her office. She remains steadfast as she receives emotional visits from supporters and her story becomes international news. Director Kimberly Reed’s camera lands next to Zooey, capturing moments both tense and joyous.

(USA, 2024, 15 min.) Kimberly Reed

Asking Less

The Colorado River is one of America’s most valuable and iconic rivers. Photographer and author Pete McBride has been following this river for over two decades. He shows us the stark reality of our water crisis within this river and the remarkable beauty and resilience of this ephemeral source of life.

(USA, 2024, 4 min.) Pete McBride

The Ugandan Quidditch Movement

In Uganda, a sport is driving social change. That sport is quidditch. After a chance encounter with a Harry Potter novel, a dedicated teacher brings the magic world of chasers, beaters, seekers, quaffles, bludgers and the golden snitch to the students at Good Shepherd Primary School in Katwadde Village. As they train for an upcoming tournament, the quidditch community they create helps the kids smash taboos about gender, learn teamwork and overcome poverty.

(USA, 2023, 15 min.) Ben Garfield

Time is a Funny Thing

Time is a Funny Thing is an exploration of time and how doing what we love makes it disappear. In this short film, professional mountain biker Tyler McCaul looks back on his career through the lens of his older and younger self.

(USA, 2023, 5 min.) Jeremy Grant