Guest Director Shorts
Hilaree Nelson, this year’s Guest Director, curated this collection of some of her favorite short films.
The Lost Tribe of the Wicklow Mountains
With a dose of the unknown and the poetry of a landscape, The Lost Tribe of the Wicklow Mountains aims to capture a sense of people and place, adventure and mystery, wildness and history. A companion piece to the film Coming Home - Ag Teacht Abhaile by the same directors, it is inspired by a song and a poem, an homage to the spirit of a place.
Colorado Premiere
Coming Home - Ag Teacht Abhaile
Ultra runner Paddy O'Leary grew up in Wexford, Ireland but eventually landed in San Francisco. It was there that he first discovered his love of trail running, but while he thrived in his community, it still wasn’t home. A grueling running adventure calls him back, and he commits to attempting the fastest-known time on the self-navigated 115 kilometer Wicklow Round. Here, in the rugged mountains of Ireland, on a course with 26 summits, he rediscovers a sense of place and people.
The Artist
As a young man unable to keep up with his best friend and supremely talented climber Boone Speed, Mike Call found himself — on their expeditions together — “using the camera as much as I used my climbing shoes.” The result was a boost to both of their careers and the well-documented life stories are presented here. What has their journey been about? In the succinct words of their friend and fellow climber, Sam Elias: “photos, notoriety … art, actually.”
Motherload
Here’s a loving tribute to all of the indefatigable ski moms who somehow manage gear and tears, not to mention the stresses of survival and the high toll exacted on marriages in ski country. It all pays off when skis are finally attached to little feet and the family achieves grace, gliding together downhill.
Colorado Premiere
An Imperfect Advocate
Graham Zimmerman studied glaciology at university before becoming a professional alpinist, and in the high mountains he’s seen firsthand the effects of climate change. And he’s worried about it. But as a jet-setting athlete who travels the world and uses plenty of gear, he’s also complicit in it. So, he joins an advocacy group and begins a new adventure — this one as an imperfect advocate.
Colorado Premiere
You And The Thing That You Love
Nick Mullins was a teenage skate punk on the brink of turning pro when a benign-seeming accident led to catastrophic illness. He survived, but went blind in the process. And just like that, he lost everything. This is the incredible story of how he fought like hell to get it back.
In-Person World Premiere
Facets
What does it take for a female athlete to reach their sport’s highest level? Luck, timing, persistence and skill are part of the mix — but, as we follow The North Face’s professional snowboarding team we see that camaraderie and learning from those who paved the way might be the most rewarding path of all.