Mountainfilm Announces Awe-Inspiring Lineup of Festival Films

Telluride, Colorado (May 2, 2025) – In three weeks, festival attendees and filmmakers will gather in the beautiful town of Telluride for Mountainfilm’s 47th annual festival, celebrating a preeminent slate of documentary films. The festival will screen over 100 films, including more than 80 World, North American, U.S. and Colorado Premieres. The program offers a vivid glimpse into the state of the world in 2025 — a world where advocates build community, activists work to protect endangered species and ecosystems, mountain athletes break barriers, and despite oppression and injustice, the human spirit remains indomitable. Mountainfilm’s lineup spans a wide range of topics, from wildlife conservation and critical environmental issues to human rights, inspiring adventure stories and so much more.

“We’re proud to present a lineup that reflects a remarkable breadth of voices and stories, while staying rooted in the spirit of adventure, activism and connection to the natural world that defines Mountainfilm,” said Robin Robinson, Mountainfilm’s senior programmer. “I hope these films move you, challenge you and inspire you to chase your own summit.”

This year, Mountainfilm is proud to welcome back many returning filmmakers, including feature filmmakers: Cristina Costantini with her film SALLY, a timely and poignant portrait of Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. Ben Masters returns with The American Southwest, a sweeping exploration of the Southwest and the Colorado River. Vincent DeLuca’s Desert Angel documents real-life hero Rafael Larraenza Hernandez as he searches for missing migrants in the desert. And in Snow Leopard Sisters, Ben Ayers, Sonam Choekyi Lama, and Andrew Lynch take us deep into the remote regions of Nepal to follow Tshiring Lhamu Lama and Tenzin Bhuti Gurung in their mission to protect the endangered snow leopard.

Mountainfilm is honored to host the World Premieres of several riveting feature films. Girl Climber is the story of Emily Harrington’s pursuit to free climb El Capitan in a day. In Old Man Lightning, the legendary climber known as Verm returns to take on the iconic boulder problem Midnight Lightning. Cecil brings us deep into the heart of Zimbabwe, exploring the complex lives of hunters, conservationists and local communities — each connected by one infamous lion. The Last Place on Earth sheds light on the devastating impacts of palm oil production on ecosystems, wildlife habitats and the people living in Sumatra’s Leuser rainforest. And in Trango, presented by Mountainfilm’s Presenting Sponsor, The North Face, elite ski mountaineers attempt the first ski descent of the towering Great Trango Tower.

Mountainfilm will also showcase the World Premieres of over 20 short films. To name a few: Mountain Joy shares the story of longtime Telluride residents, Dave and Sherry Farny, who opened a mountaineering school for young people to gain valuable knowledge in the outdoors. Sea Country introduces us to marine biologist Tishiko King, who is a Torres Strait Island woman fighting to reclaim Indigenous leadership in ocean conservation. Alaskan adventurer and climate scientist Roman Dial, takes us on a journey through Alaskan watersheds in Arctic Alchemy. The Glen Canyon’s Garden of Eden is exposed in What The River Knows. In The Changebaker, a small southern city’s first Latin bakery becomes ground zero for local immigration activism, after a string of ICE raids. Monumental Moment, tells of the fight to preserve the monument status of Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni — Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon.  

Several recipients of Mountainfilm’s Commitment Grant and Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship appear in the 2025 lineup, including features Old Man Lightning, The Age of Water, Desert Angel, Remaining Native and shorts Let My People Go Skiing, The Book of George and From Rodeo To Polo. 

Mountainfilm is bringing back its popular Adrenaline shorts program, screening for free at the outdoor Base Camp theater in Telluride Town Park. The program features high-energy, action-packed sports films, including GOOCHIE, in which adaptive mountain biker Cole Bernier goes big at Whistler; The Everyday Rider, which captures the soul of snowboarding; Pastrana, traces downhill skateboarder Melissa Brogni as she reconnects with the past after losing her friend; and Center Punch, which follows Telluride snowboarding legends as they chase pristine backcountry lines.

See Mountainfilm’s full lineup of films here: https://www.mountainfilm.org/festival/films/

Mountainfilm’s full festival schedule will be announced in early May. Purchase your passes today and join us for an unforgettable festival May 22–26, 2025. 

About Mountainfilm: Established in 1979, Mountainfilm is one of North America’s longest-running documentary film festivals, held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, Colorado. Mountainfilm is dedicated to using the power of film, art and ideas to inspire audiences to create a better world. The festival offers an immersive experience featuring a wide range of filmmakers, speakers, adventurers and activists in addition to screening cutting-edge, award-winning documentary films from around the world. Mountainfilm is an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival in the Documentary Short Film category. Mountainfilm on Tour also reaches audiences year-round through its global film program, and through Mountainfilm for Students, an educational outreach initiative for youth. Simply put, Mountainfilm has the power to change lives. To learn more, visit www.mountainfilm.org. To join the conversation, please read Mountainfilm’s news and follow @mountainfilm on Instagram, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn.