Mountainfilm in Aspen is a documentary film festival – in partnership with Mountainfilm showcasing nonfiction stories about environmental, cultural, climbing, political and social justice issues that matter. Along with exceptional documentaries, the festival goes beyond the film medium by bringing together world-class athletes, speakers, change makers and visionary artists for a multi-dimensional celebration of the indomitable spirit.
2018 Schedule of Events
Wednesday, August 22
Official Mountainfilm Aspen Kickoff Event “The Wellbeing Of One Is Connected To The Wellbeing Of All”
with Lead With Love + DJ Kevin Joyal
5:00 PM | Wheeler Bar Lobby
with Lead With Love + DJ Kevin Joyal
5:00 PM | Wheeler Bar Lobby
Join us for Yoga & Music in the Wheeler Bar Lobby. Lead with Love is joining us to kick off the first night of Mountainfilm with this free and open to public yoga class. DJ Kevin Joyal will be bringing the music. First Come, First Served. All participants receive a drink ticket for a free beer.
Mountainfilm in Aspen | An Evening of Adventure
7:00pm | Wheeler Opera House
“An Evening of Adventure” brings exciting new shorts, including “Loved by All: The Story of Apa Sherpa” and “The Wolf Pack”, the story of the Braford-Lefebvre family from Silverton, CO.
Films: Ingrained (8 min), Follow Through (22 min), Drop Everything (4 min), The Wolf Pack (12 min.), Hayley: 90 seconds about fear (1 min), Escape (8 min)
More information on the films here.
In Person: DJ JaBig and the Braford-Lefebvre Family
Thursday, August 23
Lunch Film Series at the Cooking School of Aspen | Conrad Anker’s Hold Fast
12:00 PM | Cooking School of Aspen
12:00 PM | Cooking School of Aspen
While making a summit attempt of an unclimbed peak in Nepal in 2016, Conrad Anker suffered a heart attack. With his climbing partner, David Lama, able to do little more than look on, Anker self-rescued from 20,000 feet. It marked the end of his long and storied career as a high-altitude mountaineer, but not his passion to climb. In Hold Fast, Anker returns to one of his favorite big wall climbs — El Cap, in Yosemite National Park. With him is Alex Wildman, an ardent amateur climber and close friend.
In an era of undeniable change and movement, how are people and animals moving through the world and why? What are the motivations, challenges and barriers to movement, migration and immigration in a globalized world? Our panel will dive deep from the perspectives of immigrant, activist and filmmaker.
In Person: DJ JaBig, Skye Fitzgerald and Thomas Acker
In Person: DJ JaBig, Skye Fitzgerald and Thomas Acker
Wheeler Opera House Mountainfilm in Aspen Fun Run
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Mill Street Fountain
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Mill Street Fountain
This 30 Minute community run starts at Mill Street Fountain and ends at The Wheeler Opera House. All runners get a complimentary beer and high fives before the start of the 7pm film Biking Adventure double feature.
Mountainfilm in Aspen | Biking Adventure Double Feature
7:00pm | Wheeler Opera House
A double feature of adventure biking films with "North of Nightfall" and "The Moment"
More information on the films here.
Via Skype: Darcy Hennessey Turenne
Friday, August 24
Lunch Film Series at the Cooking School of Aspen | Indomitable Spirits Shorts
12:00 PM | Cooking School of Aspen
12:00 PM | Cooking School of Aspen
At the heart of Mountainfilm are stories of people doing what they love — inspiring all of us to find the spark and feed the flame inside. These characters are celebrated in a collection of Indomitable Spirit shorts, sure to leave you impressed and inspired. Films include Why Not Now, For the Love of Mary, Felix, The Coffin Club and more to be announced soon!
In Person: Felix Belmont
As a documentary film festival, Mountainfilm in Aspen showcases the work of masterful storytellers who cultivate their craft with the realities of the world. What does it take to tell a story well? How do you work with people and their desires to be portrayed in a certain light? How do you know when you’ve found the story? Join accomplished and talented filmmakers as they share their insights.
In Person: Cristina Costantini
Mountainfilm in Aspen | Satan & Adam
7:00pm | | Wheeler Opera House
The Wheeler will screen the fascinating story of the musical duo “Satan & Adam.” Spanning more than 20 years, the film introduces a young white harmonica master (Adam Gussow), badly bruised by a failed affair of the heart, who finds himself in Harlem. While in the famed NYC neighborhood, his life is forever changed after stopping to listen to an African-American street musician (Sterling “Mr. Satan” Magee) play the blues. Following the film, there will be a concert 10th-anniversary celebration party in the bar lobby featuring Adam and his band.
More information on the films here.
In Person: Adam Gussow and V. Scott Balcerek
Saturday, August 25
A common language, a global unifier and the soundtrack to our lives. Music unites, inspires and transcends. Join a band manager, musicians and the longest running DJ in public radio to share in a discussion about the power of the notes.
In Person: Bobby Whitaker, Adam Gussow, Alan Gross and Felix Belmont
Join us for an intimate Mountainfilm in Aspen cooking demo at The Cooking School Aspen. Ticket includes a glass of wine, the official SOUFRA cooking book (retail price: $40), and a 90-minute cooking demo (and little bites) from Chef Dipika. In addition, Soufra director Thomas Morgan will be in attendance and there will be a special video message from Miriam from the film.
In Person: Thomas Morgan
8:30 PM | Wheeler Opera House
The screening features the Eric Becker film, "Return to Mount Kennedy". In March 1965, Bobby Kennedy became the first person to summit Mount Kennedy. He was accompanied by Jim Whittake, the mountaineering icon, environmentalist, and first American to summit Mt. Everest. Fifty years later, Bobby's son and Jim's sons honor that historic ascent, and the close friendship that evolved between their families, with their own summit attempt.
In Person: Bobby Whittaker
More information on the films here.
Sunday, August 26
SUNDAY FUNDAY: KIDZ KINO. Hands on educational activities, and an hour afternoon program of family-friendly short films. Kidz Kino aims to expand the reach of the festival to youth audiences – bringing the passion, creativity and vision of filmmaking to the next generation. The free program will include hands on educational activities, as well as a one-hour afternoon program of family-friendly short films.
10th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Program, featuring audience favorites from the past 10 years of the festival in a shorts program and awards ceremony at the Limelight Aspen’s Monarch Room (6:30 p.m.) Before the final event, festival goers are invited to enjoy a light dinner outside on the Limelight patio (5:30 p.m.) for one last chance to mix and mingle with their favorite festival guests.
In Person: DJ JaBig
Special guests and more details on the daily lunch film and discussion series, and other events at Mountainfilm in Aspen, will be announced later this month, with additional events going on sale August 1.
