The 39 date 2023 Tour included venues the length and breadth of the UK, kicking off in Kendal on 16 February before returning to Kendal 29 June. Three Points of the Compass went along to the Canterbury viewing and thoroughly enjoyed each of the seven films shown. For anyone interested in excellent film making, the outdoors and shared experience, try and make the effort to either squeeze in one of the remaining tour dates, or join over 23000 others and visit the festival itself 16-19 November, or put a note in the diary for next year.

It is also possible to host a private screening of the award-winning films (for a cost), or more simply subscribe to the Kendal Mountain Player that currently hosts films by over 140 filmmakers. Use code TOURFRIENDS23 to get 20% off an annual subscription.

Digging For Answers, directed by Eric Seymour, is a seven minute film that admirably demonstrates how universal design of a trail can benefit adaptive and non-adaptive riders alike. It is in part focused on Pierre Bergman, whose life was forever changed due to a biking injury, but primarily on Jackson Hole Bike Park’s Deepest Darkest trail in the US. Having created an inclusive dirt bike trail via simple planning, consultation and a bit of digging, the film captures the riders’ pure joy at being back on the hills and enjoying the adrenaline. Hopefully a lesson for many managers of such facility but an enjoyable viewing experience for anyone.

Enchainment, directed by Nick Kowalski, is a 29 minute film showing a rather dodgy attempt by two friends to ‘enchain’ all of New Zealand’s 24 highest mountains above 3000 metres in a continuous 31-day trip, not helped by a 200 mile cycle ride between the major group and their final peak. It encompasses west coast jungle and high-alpine summits, extreme fatigue and a ticking clock. Socked in by weather for days on end, it is an ambitious attempt. Did they make it?

I found Free to Run, directed by Dream Lens Media, a challenging watch. The 31 minute film is in two parts, cut together. It follows human rights lawyer and ultra runner Stephanie Case as she trains for and competes in the 450km Tor Des Glaciers (with just 4.5 hours sleep during the event!). More importantly, the film covers her work advocating for Afghan women through the Free to Run organisation. Interviews with the women emphasises the emancipation they seek, however the speakers, including Stephanie, seemed to have an unrealistic hope that such hard won freedom would remain following the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Most of the rest of the world could see that it would be just days before the Taliban seized back control and the women were plunged back into severe danger and risk of loss of life.

The 86 Year Old Marathon Runner is a joyous watch. The title says it all. Directed by Sara Joe Wolansky, the seven minute film is a treat. Interviews with batty Ginette Bedard reveal her refusal to grow old. Frequently laugh out loud, her accent and attitude are pure French New Yorker, She ran her first marathon aged 69 and completed her 17th New York Marathon in 2019. If she is feeling down, she goes running, covering ten miles every day and resentful if a mile or two less. It is uplifting, empowering and surely a kick up the arse to anyone relying on excuses to avoid a challenge.

The Farm under the City was something a little different, covering an environmental issue rather than sport. Directed by Brett Chapman and Jordan Carroll, the 10 minute film is about quiet spoken Luke Ellis, a builder-turned-farmer who read up on a subject, learned as he went along, learned to love worms and understand recycling to the n’th degree. Covid lost him his funding and he turned it to his advantage. He set up Leaf+Shoot underneath Sheffield’s industrial quarter. A disused spring factory is now a successful farm taking in food waste, converting it to hot composted and worm created soil, to grow micro-herbs and vegetables, that are then supplied to local outlets, often transported on his electric bike. Luke’s hope is that every city should employ such urban farming methods.

The Water Holds Me / The Water Binds Us is an all too short two-minute animated watercolour film. It is beautiful. Directed by Lily Mae Kroese, it briefly touches on the story of women ‘wild-swimming’ who dip, dive and swim in rivers, lakes and seas in the UK. I doubt it will happen, but I would love to see a ‘making of’ film too.

Three minute French made film Write Your Line, with occasional unnecessary sub-titles, is pure energy. Directed by Marc Augey and Andy Collet, it is a downhill rush via skier Ben Buratti. His precocious skill and audaciousness reminded me that my own snow plough days are a long way behind me. This is a talent we will be seeing a great deal of in the coming years. There are some cameos from famous faces, but ignorant as I am to matters snow, these had little impression on me and could easily have been excluded.