Highlights | Shextreme Film Festival 2019
Returning this year and bigger than ever, the Shextreme Film Festival descended in record numbers upon the Watershed Cinema in Bristol over the first weekend in October. Due to the overwhelming number of submissions, this year the Shextreme Film Festival took place over two jam-packed evenings to showcase adventurous women both in front of and behind the camera.
As the sold-out theatre filled with an eager audience, Friday evening kicked off the celebrations with a beautiful short film by Anna-Maria Montonen titled, "The Alchemy of Mountains." Anna-Maria harmonises her passion for the outdoors, for filmmaking and animation all into this well-balanced edit. Up next was Lena Stoffl and Ingo Grasset who created "Circle of the Sun", which inspired awe and wonder with its high snowy peaks, steep ski-runs and some of the most spectacular landscapes captured in the magical realm of Scandinavia.
To mark the intermission, the Shextreme award-winning poem by Joanna Jones, titled "Running away from your problems is harder at altitude" was read aloud to the audience. While living and working in Bolivia, Joanna writes this elegant poem with powerful words to transport you right to the heart of the South American country.
To close Friday evening's events, the final film shown was "Home" by Jen Randell and Sarah Outen. This feature-length documentary follows adventurer, Sarah Outen, as she attempts to travel around the world using only a bike, a kayak and a rowing boat. However, weather disruptions, capsizing in the Pacific ocean and illness created several challenges for Sarah to overcome. This compelling film invoked a myriad of audience reactions, leaving many feeling inspired to follow in Sarah's footsteps. With the curtain called, Shextreme director, Dr Ruth Farrar and Sarah Outen took to the stage for a more in-depth chat about this incredible attempt.
With a surge of energy for the creative minds and inspiration in abundance, the opening night was rounded off with live art, a gallery of imagery from the Shextreme Workshops, and of course, the Shextreme concept store. With the doors closing on the evening, excitement bubbled for the following night.
Saturday evening commenced with "Sundaze" by Nicole Tobin, a delightful surf animation that raised awareness to ocean-based plastics. Following that, the audience was treated to "High Passes" by Cosima Barzini. This documentary shone a light on the women's ice hockey team in India and their journey to the Asian Championships. With climate change affecting their outdoor ice-rink and the lack of support from the Indian government, these determined women overcome obstacles that would otherwise hinder.
If you've ever wanted to be in a motorbike gang, then "The Litas" by William Desena will reignite that feeling. This film explored the biker life of Gevin Fax and her involvement with The Litas, an empowering women's motorcycle club based in LA, but with factions all over the country. Following on from this, "Nurture" by Shextreme's director, Dr Ruth Farrar made its world premiere at the film festival. This short film follows mountain biker, Jessica Strange, as she explains how the sport has helped her manage the symptoms of Complex PTSD. Monet Rose Adams directed the penultimate film of the evening, titled "Just Be." When you're in great company, seeking adventures together and feeling utterly comfortable, you can JUST BE you. This film explores how friendship can result in sisterhood as four friends set sail in Norway to explore the lands by boat and bike.
Wrapping up the Shextreme Film Festival on Saturday night was the World premiere screening of "Undercurrents", created by Bronwyn Harvey and Christina Baldwin. Featuring five female surfers and Neuroscientist, Dr Tamara Russell, this film investigates the motivation behind surfing. What keeps these individuals going back to the water, despite unfavourable conditions, lack of reward and the threat of incident? Packed with thought-provoking insight, and coupled with energetic action shots, "Undercurrents" is a must-watch for anyone those who love the ocean, and even for those that don't.
The Shextreme Film Festival came to a close with a lively panel discussion. Featuring Dr Ruth Farrar, Hetty Kay, Gemma Harrison, Jessica Strange and Lizzi Larbalestier, the panel shared their expertise in the world of social media, female empowerment and how we can work together to promote women's participation in both sport and filmmaking.
Another year with a wealth of film submissions and sell-out success, the Shextreme Film Festival has firmly rooted itself as being the first women's adventure film festival, growing bigger each year, the team are already looking ahead to 2020 plans.
