By Lisa Morrison
From Women at Work. Photo by Madaleine Sorkin.
The Women in Adventure Sports Film Festival was founded—surprisingly—by two men. Paul Fitzpatrick-Nager and Kevin Shea felt that there were not enough women represented at events like the Banff Film Festival, so they started their own film festival highlighting great stories about women. Women’s Adventure magazine was a proud sponsor of the inaugural event in Arlington, MA.
The 11 films—screened over 2 nights—featured inspiring stories about women—from around the world—taking on adventure in many forms.
Some were tackling firsts—the first women to climb Annapurna, the first women to circumnavigate Tasmania in kayaks—while others were challenging traditions—a girls’ soccer team playing in a boys’ league, young women rock climbers in male-dominated Indonesia.
Even if you don’t aspire to climb the Unclimbables or be the first to do something that no one has done before, you will find inspiration from the women portrayed in these films.
A view of Annapurna, from Annapurna: A Woman’s Place
My personal favorites were:
Annapurna: A Woman’s Place is the story of the team of 13 women who were the first Americans and the first women to climb Annapurna in 1978. From selling “A Woman’s Place is on Top” t-shirts (which raised $80,000) to the start-and-stop staging to prepare for the climb to the top to the triumph and tragedy of reaching the summit, the film reveals not only the personal physical and mental difficulties involved, but the challenge that group dynamics add to an already complex task.
Send It Sistah Through beautiful cinematography, this film highlights two amazing French women, Ingrid and Jelena, who “highline”—the art of balancing precariously on a 1″ web slackline strung high above the ground. Shot in the Ritson Gap of France (overlooking the town of Annecy), the view is amazing and their fearless acrobatics are awe-inspiring.
The Eighth Parallel In a country where the favorite female athlete is a chess player, this film focuses on young Indonesian women who challenge convention by participating in rock climbing, motocross, mountain biking, and surfing. These girls and women overcome obstacles put up by a male-dominated sports and social culture to pursue their passion and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Kick Like A Girl After winning against girls their age and older, a team of 8-year-old soccer dynamos wax philosophically about moving to the boys’ league. The girls learn to lose and the boys learn that the girls aren’t pushovers. The young members of the Mighty Cheetahs are adorable, but they are also strong, articulate women-in-training, who aren’t afraid to push themselves to succeed.
From Kayak Tasmania
The women in all the films shown push boundaries and challenge both themselves and cultural norms. They have audacity and determination, and overcome physical, mental and social obstacles to pursue their dreams. While they gain confidence, we get inspiration – to never give up on your dreams and to keep doing what you love, even if it’s against the odds.
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CMPZ Productions put together the Women in Adventure Sports Film Festival. Visit their website (www.CMPZproductions.com) to learn more about the films and filmmakers. The festival will be going on the road, so let Paul and Kevin know you’re interested in seeing it in your town.
Lisa Morrison is a writer and photographer who is not afraid to take on new challenges. A passionate traveler and hiker, she has traveled to over 20 countries and completed the 95-mile West Highland Way in Scotland. In 2012, she will head to the Alps for the 112-mile Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Switzerland and Italy. Visit her blog, Fit 4 Adventure, for inspiration and tips on getting fit in the great outdoors.
