Sketchbook #9 Indian Creek

As I saw it this time round:

Wins for Slides on the Mountain

It’s been special to see Slides on the Mountain make it’s way into the world, and to feel the electric response to it in theatres from all kinds of people in all kinds of places. As two cherries on top of a beautiful festival run, it was awarded Best Mountain Culture Film at VIMFF 2024, and Best Mountain Culture Short Film from Whistler Film Festival 2023. As a project with a heap of love poured into it from every team member, I reckon it deserves no less.

The VIMFF jury kindly said:

“Slides on the Mountain is more than just a ski film; it is a celebration of culture, community, and the deep connections rooted between land and people. This stunning film did an excellent job of capturing the brothers’ journey to gain the skills and courage to face the mountain, while also exploring the broader significance of their endeavor within their community and culture.”

– Alec Suriyuth, VIMFF 2024 Jury

Go team!

Sketchbook #8 From Skyline Ridge

Sketchbook #7 Time in the Desert

January 29th, 2023

We worked out getting changed with the heater on is much better. He cooks and I read and clean up after. I don’t know why my body is a bit brittle and my heart isn’t always able to get behind trying hard on our climbs but I’m doing my best to roll with it. We had a wander at Willow Creek after climbing to see a new little patch of place. Last night I edited photos and we cooked steak on a fire, with potatoes and salad. There is so much to be said for stepping away from most of everything for a while, it takes a minute for my head to quiet, but it’s getting there.

Alpha in June

Of all the views we got to witness and pass through on our scramble up this beautiful peak, it was the wet, foggy forest at the beginning that sparked my imagination. Usually these are conditions I avoid. But once you’ve crossed that river, it’s as much of a mission to turn back as it is to keep going.

Pass It On Available Online

The Pass It On series I directed and edited for Arc’teryx with Well Travelled Collective is now available online for free here, here and here!

It was a true delight to get to know these three members of the climbing community here in Squamish just that little bit better, and to collaborate with the stellar creative team we got to put together for this project. Here’s to passing a love of the outdoors on!

Wins for This is Beth

It has been a true delight to see This is Beth travel the world with film tours and festivals, scooping up four awards along the way. Most rewarding though, has been the feedback from audience members whose age, race and gender vary as much as the reasons they connected with Beth’s story.

The older I get, the more I understand how putting the vulnerable parts of yourself out there is a brave and powerful thing to do. So thank you, Beth, you are incredible.

Wins for Prolyfyk Run Crew →

It’s said a lot on the internet, but I am so very proud to have been on the edit with Jay Mac for this powerful short film, highlighting the wonderful running group, Prolyfyk. It was enlightening and empowering to help build this offering of positivity when it comes to conversations around community and connection. This film has been quietly cleaning up at a range of documentary festivals over the last year, and quite rightly so. Directed by Faith Briggs for Camp4 Collective and Brooks Running.

Project Pride Photography 2022

It was a true pleasure to photograph the Project Pride Bouldering Festival, the first in Squamish. Michelle LeBlanc put together a spectacular day that encapsulated community, inclusion and most of all… FUN.

A Win in South Korea

We’re delighted to be enjoying a win from the Ulju Mountain Film Festival in South Korea while wading through 2020. Well done team Home and thank you to UMFF for their continued support over the years!

Sketchbook #6

A hike in August.

Taken on my dad’s 35mm Miranda Dynax.

Adventure Uncovered

It was a pleasure to contribute to the Adventure Uncovered Storytelling Edition, a lovely site to explore and get lost in. Enjoy!

The Curious Climber Podcast

It was a pleasure to sit down with friend and collaborator Mina Leslie Wujastyk for a chat about all things adventure and creative and how the two can go together. You can have a listen right here, and don’t miss the other stellar episodes too!

Sketchbook #5 The Neve

Notes from Cooke City

We arrive in the dark. Pop’ 128, neon signs, snowmobiles. We follow Beau into the trees, over the ridges, along the bison tracks. Up and winding and up and blowing. The snow and the slog and the new places stop me thinking, and all I am is happy there.

Photo: B Fredlund

Photo: B Fredlund

Wins in Spain and Denmark

We’re so chuffed for Home to have won Female Empowerment of the Year at the Nordic Adventure Film Festival. Not only is the film about a particularly fantastic woman, but we had lots of dazzling, skilled ladies on our creative team including our star, producer and camerawoman Sarah Outen, camerawoman Justine Curgenven, director and editor Jen Randall (that’s me), sound designer Ruth Rainey at We Are Audio and animators Milana and Elmaz at Nerd Productions. Go girls go!

And then last night we were honoured with Best Sport and Adventure Film at the Mendi Film Festival in Bilbao, Spain. It’s so touching to see this film connect with people all over the world and for our team’s hard work to be celebrated time and again, thank you Denmark and Spain!

Home Wins at Banff & Kendal

Words cannot describe our excitement at winning Best Exploration and Adventure Film at Banff Mountain Film Festival 2019 and Kendal Mountain Festival, what a ride this is!

The Banff jury said:

“This is a compelling film tracking the journey of an ordinary woman, on an extra-ordinary adventure. It takes you on an emotional and physically demanding roller-coaster ride around the globe, highlighting the warmth and generosity of our fellow human beings. The film is challenging, engaging, enthralling, and inspiring. However – the central question is......where is HOME? Such a simple title, for such a complex film.”

— Lynn Robinson, jury member

Thank you Banff and Kendal and well done team!

35mm Sketchbook #4

Home: Two Wins & A Review

We were pleased as punch to hear that Home was awarded ‘Best Adventurer’ at the Feminista Film Festval in London this year, our first big public screening.

The judges said:

This was a beautifully told story of strength and vulnerability. Sarah is somehow both superhuman and relatable. The film was multi-layered, we feel her joy and her pain. Her resilience was very moving and the storytelling was powerful. The depiction of Sarah’s emotional struggles was innovative and effective.

Thank you London!

It was then thrilling to hear that we won the Audience Choice Award at the Shextreme Film Festival shortly after, alongside High Passes by Cosima Barzini.

Thank you Bristol!

Now to share our first review from The Guardian, who describe our film as ‘introspective and emotionally brave’, bravo team!

Haven’t caught a screening yet? Home will enjoy its official UK theatrical release this week, so check out the website for upcoming dates and venues.

Two Walks

We talked about which peak was which, which route went where.

The trails he has trod and the ones I’d like to follow.

Blueberries, bears, Mars bars and cheese.

Hunting for photos framed by trees.

We booked the hut but we slept outside. / We would have stayed but there wasn’t time.

Then we wandered down.