The Mountain People Grant

The Kendal Mountain Festival on the edge of the English Lake District in the UK is one of the most diverse festivals of its kind in the world, attracting film premières and world-renowned speakers from around the globe annually. Its ‘mission’ is ‘to inspire more people to explore, enjoy and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures’.

Adventure film has always been the beating heart of what they do, and for Kendal supporting grassroots filmmakers and making creativity accessible for all has been a long-term industry goal for the organization. So, this year, Kendal Mountain Festival has proudly partnered with Rab to support upcoming filmmakers with ‘The Mountain People’ film grant.

A creative commissioning grant of £10,000 will be awarded to a documentary film of up to 30 minutes exploring the theme ‘The Mountain People’. Alongside the £10,000, Kendal and Rab will support the winning filmmaker with monthly development meetings of the film’s progression up until the final cut, plus the winning film will be showcased at Kendal Mountain Festival 2022.

We believe a mountain can be a metaphor as much as a physical space. It could be a literal high summit, or a personal peak

Through the grant Kendal Mountain Festival and Rab hope to support filmmaking in the British mountains, enable filmmakers who are unable to access funds to make their idea come to the screen, and broaden the number of storytellers who use the British Mountains as a creative and physical resource. They want to support a creative outdoor industry that is welcoming for all to get involved in.

‘A mountain is a place that gives you perspective,’ explains Claire Carter, Artistic Director at Kendal Mountain Festival. ‘We believe a mountain can be a metaphor as much as a physical space. It could be a literal high summit, or a personal peak. Where-ever or whatever your mountain is, it provides inspiration, a challenge. An element of exploration; the unknown. An opportunity to forge strong bonds, embrace heritage or build new communities. It may be a place of science, activism or spiritualism; movement or contemplation. It will be a place where stories are born. The Mountain People are those who venture into these spaces. And we believe anyone can.’

The grant judges are looking for a diverse, creative response to ‘The Mountain People’, that will tell a story that will stay with us and inspire those who watch it. The decision will be made jointly by the Kendal Mountain Festival team, Rab, and two film industry consultants; Jonathan Hourigan, Head of Screenwriting at the London School of Film and Television, and Emma Crome, award-winning independent filmmaker and producer. They are looking for brave, creative responses, and stories that will have a lasting impression, inspiring individuals and communities to spend time in the British Mountains. They want to discover new angles on adventure.

If you have an angle, want to apply or find out more, click here to head to the website.