The Adventure Travel Film Festival
August 10/11/12 2018
‘A homespun travel event with a heart of gold’ - The Guardian
The UK’s finest celebration of real-life adventure returns to London for its 8th year
In 2010 adventure film-maker Austin Vince and travel writer Lois Pryce created the first Adventure Travel Film Festival, a weekend of brilliant films, speakers and adventure travel inspiration. Over the years thousands of film lovers and adventure buffs from around the world have been drawn to its unique atmosphere of camaraderie and secret charm. Kindred spirits such as Ben Fogle and Ross Noble regularly drop in to hang out around the campfire…
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - CHRIS SCOTT & LOIS PRYCE GIVING PRACTICAL ADVICE ON MOTORBIKE EXPED PREPARATION
Bucking the trend of the square-jawed male explorer, this year’s festival will showcase some of the world’s greatest female adventurers alive today. From Sweden, we have Kristina Palten to introduce and discuss her smash-hit film about running alone across Iran. Cyclist and journalist, Rebecca Lowe will be speaking about her solo bicycle ride from the UK to the Middle East (and teaching a bike-packing workshop), and record-breaker, Steph Jeavons will be talking about her SEVEN-continent solo motorcycle journey around the world (yes, that does include Antarctica). Travel writing and journalism workshops are taught by festival founder and author, Lois Pryce and Meera Dattani, editor of Adventure.com.
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - FILM FROM 2016 ATFF
And the films?
12 features and 15 shorts, by an array of international film-makers, hailing from Morocco to Australia to Iran to France and beyond, with movies covering all corners of the globe and all forms of transport. Highlights include:
- Alone Through Iran: 1144 Miles of Trust – Swedish runner, Kristina Palten caused a stir across the world when she released the trailer for this incredible film. Pushing a cart containing her possessions, she ran across the Islamic Republic of Iran, in order to discover the reality of this most demonised part of the world. The result is a moving and uplifting documentary that should be compulsory viewing for all Western politicians!
- Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey– The UK premiere of the much-anticipated movie about the infamous American climber of the post-war era. A true pioneer and responsible for countless first ascents Beckey was overlooked for the US Everest team due to his maverick stance. But his punk-rock ethos has ensured he remains a cult hero in the climbing world. This sensitive, but searingly honest tribute shines a light on the man, his wild ways, and flies a flag for outsiders everywhere.
VOYAGERS WITHOUT TRACE
- Voyagers Without Trace – In 1938 three French paddlers in collapsible canvas canoes made the first descent of America’s Colorado River – an epic 60-day journey. They filmed the whole thing on colour 35mm film which until 2015 had been lost to history. Award-winning film-maker Ian McCluskey stumbled upon this story and wouldn’t rest until it was couched within a proper documentary. A thrilling fusion of detective work, archive film restoration and modern-day kayaking – no wonder this is our choice for the Saturday night starlight screening.
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - MILL HILL SCHOOL
The Venue
The festival returns to the rolling grounds and grand buildings of Mill Hill School on the outskirts of London, where campers enjoy 200 acres of wooded parkland in which to pitch their tents. The grounds are also home to the outdoor workshops and activities ranging from bushcraft and Bedouin bread-baking to bicycle orienteering, and a chance to try out a Honda motorcycle.
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - HAVE A GO ON A HONDA
Friday and Saturday night films are ‘starlight screenings’ (British weather permitting) – with a stunning view over London’s twinkling cityscape below.
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - STARLIGHT SCREENING
The 2018 festival also includes:
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Outdoor sessions including:
Campfire Cooking
Hammocking Tips
Yoga for Travellers
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - CAMPSIDE COOKING
- Brand new workshops including:
Making a Film on your iPhone
Eskimo Roll your Kayak (in the swimming pool!)
Drawing your Travels
- 1940s Jeep Rides
The Penny Farthing Display Team
The Adventure Travel Quiz
CREDIT: DAVID ALTABEV - THE JUNCO SHAKERS, 2017 ATFF
- Bonfires and live bands each night including a hoedown from London’s good-time country collective, The Stowawayz, and Spanish rockabilly demons, the Hot Clover Club – all the way from Seville.
AUSTIN VINCE & LOIS PRYCE
Festival founders, Lois Pryce and Austin Vince are veterans of independent travel and have a catalogue of books and films between them. Austin is one of the world’s leading adventure motorcyclists and has made several TV shows about his journeys. Lois Pryce’s books about her solo motorcycle journeys across Africa, the Americas and Iran have been published throughout the world. She was recently included in the Telegraph’s list of Top 10 Great Female Travellers.
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