LLAMFF IS BACK. AND IT’S BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER.
After a few years dormancy, the much-lauded Llanberis Mountain Film Festival will make a dramatic return in 2015.
Born in 2002, in the mountains of Snowdonia; home to so many of the world’s leading climbers, mountaineers, paddlers, mountain bikers and ground-breaking adventurers, LLAMFF was a regular and extremely popular fixture on the outdoor calendar until 2011.
And for 2015, the only UK mountain film festival to be actually based in the mountains, is back with a new management team, some great new ideas, and of course some brilliant films from home and abroad. And the fringe festival will be just as strong as ever too with skills workshops, family activities and master classes from sponsored athletes.
With nearly half a million visitors each year, Snowdon is Britain’s most popular mountain. But it suffers for this high footfall and conservation and ‘leave no trace’ ethics are naturally high on the festival’s agenda. But there’s a lighter side to LLAMFF too: and the festival aims not just to promote the arts, but also to create a bursary for future young filmmakers to build and run projects and of course feed future festivals.
The opening event on Friday night beings one of the UK best known moutaineers, Mike Fowler, to the stage speaking about his most recent endeavour. In addition to this is the legendary pub quiz , with George Smith, Noel Crane and DMM’s Chris Rowland providing a quirky set of questions; and Saturday evening will feature a panel of inspirational Female athletes and adventurers along side a number of equally inspiring films. Sunday’s main event will be “An evening on the Indian Face”: a chance to hear from of a select band of ascensionists talk about one of Britain’s hardest, least climbed yet most revered rock routes; and the evening will wind up with a closing party and live music.
Numerous films through out the weekend including Redemption: The James Pearson Story, the award winning ‘As the Crow Flies’ and inspiring story of “Project Enduro’ which enables disabled athletes to experience the exhilaration of downhill mountain biking.
Confirmed speakers and panellists include Mick Fowler talking about his first ascent of the NE face of Hagshu, Neil Gresham, Calum Muskett, Johnny Dawes and James Mchaffie regaling all with their tales of The Indian Face along with Tim Emmett wowing the crowd with his extreme rock, air and water adventures.
We are also delighted to host a panel of inspirational women adventurers Emma Twyford, Elin Haf Davies, Heather Geluk, Tori James, Becky Shuttleworth and Rebecca Coles. Topping it off, Olly Sanders will amaze with tales of big mountains, remote locations and kayaking adventure.
There are exciting competitions and fringe events through the weekend including guided days walking, climbing and mounatineering, expedition planning workshops and much, much more. On Sunday the BMC are inviting anyone and everyone to an open discussion around the future management of Snowdon: "A mountain in the balance." which will be based in The Electric Mountain.
Venues throughout the village are lining up to support the festival and include The Electric Mountain, The Heights Hotel, Surf Lines and the Beacon Climbing Centre. Tickets are from £5-12 and a weekend VIP ticket, which includes opening ceremony with a free drink, the pub quiz, closing party and an amazing goody bag, are just £35!
You’ll also be seeing a lot from the key sponsors who will be arranging workshops, tours, kit deals and showcasing their latest offerings.
The key sponsors include: Snowdonia National Park, DMM, BMC, Joe Brown Shops, Sherpa Adventure Gear, Lowe Alpine, Cotswold Outdoor Royal Oak and Climb magazine.
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