Kendal Mountain Festival 2024
Kendal Mountain Festival sets the standard as an innovative, inclusive and creative celebration of everything outdoors.
Our team at GlobalShots were so excited to go to Kendal Mountain Festival for the first time this year. For the last 5 years or so we have wanted to make the journey to Kendal however shoot plans and work timings have always made it tricky. This year we finally made it!
A bit of festival background…
Kendal Mountain festival was founded in the early 80s by a group of like-minded friends, today it has grown into one of the world’s leading and award-winning outdoor adventure festivals which attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts in addition to the gathering of media industry experts, top athletes, the elite of equipment manufacturers and brands, artists, photographers, adventurers, explorers and inspirational speakers. Together they share legendary tales of adventure, wild stories and celebrate the very best in outdoor and adventure sports culture. Visitor numbers have soared to over 13,000, rising year on year, yet the festival’s ethos and foundations remain constant – to inspire more people to explore, enjoy and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures..
Our experience…
We had such a great time at Kendal Mountain Events - the absolute hub of outdoor community, creativity and storytelling. It was amazing to connect with filmmakers, photographers and clients we have worked with over the years - so many familiar faces and great to catch up with friends!
A particular highlight for us was the 'Creative Assembly' hosted by Outside Of Ordinary - a great evening dedicated to creativity, outdoor culture and the future. It was so inspiring and refreshing to hear that our core values at GlobalShots - authenticity, emotive narratives and immersive storytelling was a top talking point for producing new creative work and campaigns that inspire and connect with a diverse audience.
There many great discussions and thoughts to take away from talks by Creative Director Jeffrey Bowman, Email engagement specialist Alice Brown, Chief Marketing Office at Finisterre Bronwen Foster-Butler and Outside of Ordinary’s Creative Director Ian Hogg.
Other Highlights…
The Kendal Mountain Festival is renowned for its celebration of outdoor adventure, and the International Film Competition is truly the heart of the event. You can enjoy everything from action packed adventure films to films that explore mountain culture, wildlife, environmental issues.
A couple of film highlights for us were The Big Sea, an independent documentary by Lewis Arnold and Chris Nelson, uncovering surfing's hidden connection to Neoprene and its devastating impact. We also loved Alba a very heartwarming short film about Kent Lingeveldt, the first black African to compete on the international world downhill racing circuit, reflecting on being a father through the nurturing aspect of skateboarding.
The competition is open to a variety of filmmakers with special recognition given through awards like *Film Active*—which is specifically for under-18s. This award aims to inspire and encourage younger audiences to connect with nature, enjoy outdoor activities, and express their adventures creatively. It's an inclusive celebration of the many facets of outdoor life, where everyone can find something that resonates with them.
Other highlights of the four-day festival include photography and art exhibitions, workshops, book shops, active sports, wild swims and the celebrated ‘Specialist Sessions’ – interactive debates and presentations covering everything from climbing and skiing to free-flight and underground exploration.
Previously awarded ‘Tourism Event of the Year’ by Visit England, Kendal Mountain Festival should be on the to-do list of any outdoor enthusiast or creative.
We’ve already got the date in our diary for next year!