The BMC and Kendal Mountain Festival are calling for all adventurers and filmmakers to switch their cameras on and get ready to enter the Women in Adventure Film Competition 2023.

The organisers are encouraging anyone with a story to tell or a cause to share to capture their adventure on film to help keep the cycle of inspiration rolling as the competition heads into its ninth year. 

For the first time, the BMC will be hosting the Awards Ceremony and a special Film Screening for the BMC Women In Adventure Film Competition over the Festival weekend this November. The winners will be announced during this session and attendees will have a chance to hear from them about their incredible adventures.

Founded in 2014, the BMC Women in Adventure film competition is dedicated to promoting gender equality in adventure filmmaking and showcasing the inspiring stories of women adventurers from around the world. The competition is open to filmmakers of all levels of experience, and aims to provide a platform for female voices in the adventure film industry.  

Alex West, BMC Diversity and Inclusion Manager, said: “Kendal Mountain Festival is now widely recognised as one of the main annual events for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and with its strong international reputation, we’re thrilled to be bringing the BMC Women In Adventure film Competition to the festival in 2023”

“Now in its ninth year, this competition is a vital platform for female adventurers to showcase their stories and inspire other women to pursue their own outdoor challenges, helping to create more inclusive and diverse spaces in the adventure world.”

Returning to the presenting team is Emily Lyons, the Production Coordinator at Kendal Mountain Festival. Emily said: “The Kendal Mountain team have always championed women both in front of, and behind the camera, so this partnership with the BMC and the Women In Adventure Competition feels like a very natural progression and means a huge amount to myself and the whole team at Kendal.

“The competition has always attracted a cross section of women and sports, showing us that there is more than one way to ‘be’ in the world of adventure. We can’t wait to watch the films, to see more people from historically and systematically excluded groups on our screens, and to announce the winners at a special event in November.”

The 2023 Women in Adventure film competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including award-winning director Emma Brennard, writer and poet Claire Carter, and BMC Young Volunteer of the Year recipient Rehna Yaseen. 

The competition invites entries for short films of up to 12 minutes in length, showcasing the outdoor pursuits of women. Regardless of their expertise in filmmaking or athletic abilities, filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work, featuring those who partake in adventure, with the prospect of winning one of five awards available.

Rachel Sarah, winning Director of the 2020 competition, said: “Make something, and submit it. Enjoy it and have fun with it or, equally as important, explore something you are uncomfortable with, and let bad experiences be shared. It's cathartic to create and share, either way. Collaborate if you can; you'd be surprised by how many other people are out there wanting to make things, too. And, quite often, two or three creative brains and cameras are better than one. Community is everything!”

Entries for the Women In Adventure competition are now open and will close October 2 2023. The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in Kendal in November 2023.

To find out everything you need to know about entry and prizes for the Women In Adventure Film Competition 2023 click here and to view all entries from last year visit the BMC YouTube channel.

Tickets for the BMC Women In Adventure session will be available via the Kendal Mountain Festival website from the 6th of July.

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